Lancha Samrajya - Review

Monday, April 16, 2007

Boodal Krishnamurthy returns to direct a film after a long gap with Lancha Saamrajya, a film that deals with the evils of corruption and greed.

Though the script is based on some of the real incidents that relate to a big social issue, the director has surprisingly narrated the film in a dramatic fashion rather than following the cinematic path. The movie therefore looks more like a drama than a film in many sequences. However, the film has some fine points which have successfully conveyed the ill effects of corruption in the society. Boodal has narrated the film in the style that was seen in the eighties.

Lancha Saamrajya does not relate to one particular story, but is a collage of several incidents that happen on the screen one after the other. It finally ends up with the story of a lustful chief minister who eyes a young actress. Boodal has relied more on the rumours of an alleged link of an actress with a former Chief Minister of the state. And the Chief Minister who is refered to as the Pillar of democracy makes an entry only towards the end of the first half. Rest of the first half is all incidents based which highlights how the corruption has affected the life of a common man. To make sure that the film has a vast mass appeal, Boodal has included not one but four item numbers, though two of them are linked to the starlet.

Master Hirannaiah plays the role of a Good Samaritan who tries to fight the evils of corruption. But he indulges in actions that are best suited for him. He gives lengthy sermons and does precious little in the form of concrete action in his avowed ambition. Therefore the film can also be described as a one man show by Master Hirannaiah.

Though the cast includes a few good theatre and film artists like Umashri and C. R. Simha, their performances are extremly theatrical, and does not give a natural feel. Even former Lok Ayuktha Venkatachalaiah has acted in this film, but his voice has been dubbed on the spot of the shooting itself.

The music by Raju Upendra Kumar and Camera work of Basavaraju are above average. The film is watchable if you are a die hard fan of Master Hirannaiah.

Banner - S.M. International
Producer - S.M. Sunder, Tumkur Mahadevaiah
Cinematographer - Basavaraj
Music - Raju Upendra Kumar
Director - Boodal Krishnamurthy
Cast - Master Hirannaiah, C.R.Simha, Umashri, Ramesh Bhat, Keerthi, Shivakumar, Aravind, Balakrishna Kakatkar, R.G. Vijayasarathy.