Santha - Review

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Hatrick Hero Shivrajkumar has outdone all his previous film with his performance in Santha. In the film he plays the role of an action star, performer and a romantic lover. The film has the perfect mixture of action, sentiment and romance. What distinguishes the film most of all is the fact that is not categorizable into a gangster film – atleast not the kind of gangster film that the Kannada Film Industry has ben producing of late. It sets itself apart as a very different and excellent gangster film.

Whats more is that he has gone one step further from the gangster roles that he played in Jogi and Om – the effort that is obvious considering his performance in the film. The director of the film claimed that the subject of the film would be handled and put across in a different way and his claims have right since the movie shows that this oft handled topic has been handled excellently well by Murali Mohan. He has put across the storyline in such a way that it appeals to all.

The dialogue delivery of the film and the performance of the entire cast has made the film stand out more than anything else. An extremely commendable effort on the part of the producers Srinivas and Srikanth.

The story:

Santha aka Shivrajkumar belongs to a poor family. His goal in life is to see to it that his sisters who are mentally challenged are cured of their handicap. He also wishes that he were able to look after his mother well. He falls in love with a girl from his neighbourhood – something which gets him into a lot of trouble and eventually is slapped by the authorities with a false case.

To add to his problems, he is sent to jail for assaulting a don. To make his stance, he is forced to become a don himself and oppose his enemy – the base storyline that forms the rest of the story. But we wont take away the suspense of the story from you. You will have to see it for yourself.

Performances:

Shivrajkumar and Komal have acted well in the film, Apart from a few sequences in the film in which they seem to be consciously trying to outdo each other, they shine in brilliantly. Aarti Chhabria impresses you in the few dances in the film but is yet to learn the basics of good acting. Sree Devika is slightly better than her.

The technical work of the film is slightly better with cameraman Seetharam proving his mettle in many sequences. Guru Kiran's music composition comes to life in the "Shiva Shiva' and the pathos song. Santha will be remembered well mainly because of the performances of Shivaraj Kumar and Komal.

Banner – Best Cinema Company Enterprises
Producers – K.P. Srikanth, R. Vijayakumar
Direction – Murali Mohan
Cinematography – Ramesh Babu
Music Director – Gurukiran
Cast – Shivrajkumar, aarti chhabria, MP Sangliana and others.