Shivaraj
Kumar
is
yet
to
give
a
big
hit
since
a
long
time.
His
most
awaited
movies
in
the
recent
years
like
Jogayya,
Shiva
and
Thammasu
did
not
live
up
to
the
expectations
of
audience.
His
new
hope
Lakshmi
with
Raghava
Loki
has
also
garnered
attention,
as
their
earlier
film
Satya
in
Love
was
a
moderate
hit.
It's
been
two
years
in
the
making
of
Lakshmi
and
it
is
billed
as
an
action-suspense
thriller,
which
also
has
Priyamani
in
the
female
lead
role.
The
budget
of
the
film
has
crossed
Rs
8
crore
and
it
is
obvious
that
the
expectations
are
also
high
from
this
Kannada
film.
Will
it
give
a
big
break
to
much-deserving
Shivanna?
Read
on
for
the
review...
Lakshmi
Narayana
alias
Lakshmi
is
a
ruthless
CBI
officer.
The
film
begins
with
the
hero
kidnapping
an
internationally-renowned
dancer
Akriti.
While
cops
led
by
Ravi
Kaale
capture
Lakshmi,
they
are
not
aware
of
his
true
identity
and
assume
that
the
kidnapper
is
being
protected
by
powerful
people.
Little
do
they
know
that
he
has
abducted
a
terrorist
to
find
clues
about
his
missing
wife
Priya
aka
Reshma
(Priyamani)
and
it
is
believed
that
she
cheated
him
and
left
with
an
underworld
don.
As
he
finds
the
culprits
one
after
another,
he
gets
an
anonymous
call
that
makes
him
to
come
to
Hong
Kong.
His
mission
is
clear
-
find
his
wife
and
kill
her
along
with
the
kingpin.
How
he
finds
his
wife?
What
role
does
his
wife
play
in
the
film?
Answers
to
these
questions
will
form
the
crux
of
the
story.
The
film
is
basically
a
suspense-thriller
which
unfolds
with
a
lot
of
actions.
The
story
is
told
with
a
few
flashbacks
that
work
out
well
for
Lakshmi.
While
the
first
half
could
have
been
better,
the
second
half
is
interesting
except
the
climax.
Continue
reading
review
on
the
slideshow...
Lakshmi
Review
Raghav
Loki
has
tried
to
blend
Western
and
our
regular
mass
elements
to
bring
out
something
different.
He
successfully
manages
to
keep
the
suspense
all
through
the
film
and
makes
it
interesting
with
some
well-written
thrilling
moments.
The
first
half
builds
the
tempo
and
the
second
half
unleashes
one
by
one.
Lakshmi
Review
The
director
loses
grip
over
the
screenplay
on
several
occasions.
Firstly,
the
director
tries
to
bring
in
all
the
masala
elements
into
the
picture
that
play
the
spoilsport.
There
are
unnecessary
scenes,
if
chopped
out
of
the
film,
could
add
value.
And
also
a
few
song
placements
bring
in
boring
moments.
Last
but
not
least,
the
climax
and
the
penultimate
scene
are
disappointing.
Lakshmi
Review
Performance
wise,
Shivaraj
Kumar,
undoubtedly,
has
proved
again
that
he
gives
his
best.
His
acting,
dancing
and
actions
are
good.
His
co-star
Priyamani
is
apt
and
she
plays
an
important
role
in
story
narration.
And
she
is
glamorous
too.
Saloni
Aswani,
Rangayana
Raghu
and
Ravi
Kale's
roles
okay.
Rest
others
are
wasted.
Lakshmi
Review
Technically,
two
songs
composed
by
Gurukiran
are
good.
His
background
is
praiseworthy
and
KS
Chandrashekar's
cinematography
shines
at
parts.
Director
Raghava
Loki,
despite
drawbacks,
has
to
be
praised
for
attempting
something
new.
Lakshmi
Review
Verdict:
The
strengths
of
Lakshmi
is
the
suspense
part
and
action
sequences.
If
the
film
is
reduced
by
another
15
odd
minutes
of
length,
it
could
work
big
time.