Aptha Mitra
The first time I heard that there was a newly released Kannada movie named Apthamitra, I asked for the starcast of the movie and when I heard the names of some aging stars (if not already aged), I thought this might be yet another family melodrama - a kind of feel-good movies that have been dished out for the past few years now. Also, I guess I was in the US when I heard about the movie. Hence, I was kind of oblivious of the silent impact that this movie made in the filmdom circles of Gandhinagara. (I don’t think Sandalwood is an ideal term for the kannada film industry).
It was only after the movie had run successfully for about 250 days, did I actually get a chance to watch it. Had it been in any other language, I would have made a dash to the local VCD shop & grabbed the CD. The movie by itself was a mixture of firsts and lasts of sorts. To name a few - It was after a long gap that a good “multi-starrer” movie was released in Kannada, And sadly but truly, it was what turned out to be the last movie of Soundarya.
Without myself donning the role of a movie critic, let me just say that the movie was pretty ok-ish. This movie like many Kannada movies had it’s share of blunders – some weird encounters with the devils that aren’t explained even in the climax, songs which were placed at the wrong place and above all roles which didn’t do justice to Dwarakish and Ramesh. Let me also remind you that this movie is a remake of ‘Manichitra Thazhu’, a Malayalam movie released 11 summers ago and won a lot of critical acclaim along with commercial success. But then, make no mistake. Aptha mitra was only loosely based on the Mallu original – not a total copy.
I had never seen Soundarya in a more solid role earlier barring Dweepa directed by Girish Kasaravalli. The movie itself might not get more than a 2.5 (2.5 is solely because of Soundarya’s amazing screen presence!!!). But because such movies have become so rare in Kannada, I guess it would fetch another half a point. Needless to say, this 3-starrer will be a prime contender for all the top state awards and Filmfare regional awards as well.
All the best to the Aptha Mitra team!!!
Soundarya, RIP!!!
It was only after the movie had run successfully for about 250 days, did I actually get a chance to watch it. Had it been in any other language, I would have made a dash to the local VCD shop & grabbed the CD. The movie by itself was a mixture of firsts and lasts of sorts. To name a few - It was after a long gap that a good “multi-starrer” movie was released in Kannada, And sadly but truly, it was what turned out to be the last movie of Soundarya.
Without myself donning the role of a movie critic, let me just say that the movie was pretty ok-ish. This movie like many Kannada movies had it’s share of blunders – some weird encounters with the devils that aren’t explained even in the climax, songs which were placed at the wrong place and above all roles which didn’t do justice to Dwarakish and Ramesh. Let me also remind you that this movie is a remake of ‘Manichitra Thazhu’, a Malayalam movie released 11 summers ago and won a lot of critical acclaim along with commercial success. But then, make no mistake. Aptha mitra was only loosely based on the Mallu original – not a total copy.
I had never seen Soundarya in a more solid role earlier barring Dweepa directed by Girish Kasaravalli. The movie itself might not get more than a 2.5 (2.5 is solely because of Soundarya’s amazing screen presence!!!). But because such movies have become so rare in Kannada, I guess it would fetch another half a point. Needless to say, this 3-starrer will be a prime contender for all the top state awards and Filmfare regional awards as well.
All the best to the Aptha Mitra team!!!
Soundarya, RIP!!!
posted by Kishor Narayan @ 5/27/2005 02:27:00 AM
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