S Narayan's Kannada film Chellidharoo Sampigeya inspired by Krishna Vamshi's Telugu flick Chandamama, is a neat film with a simple and straight forward narration.
The director is clear about his target audience and the film has all the elements that would appeal to the young and peppy crowd in the first half. However, the second half is designed and packaged to attract the family audience.
Though a remake, Chellihdaroo Sampigeyaa bears Narayan's stamp, who despite taking on many responsibilities -- writer as well as music director -- has done a very good job. His compositions like Arerere Hrudaya, Warrantaa Warrantaa, Gelathi and the group song are top class and are well choreographed. Jagadish Waali's cinematographic work and editing is superb and the dialogues too are well written and crisp.
The story revolves around Swami Gowda, a village head with a golden heart who is looking for a match for his educated daughter Sowmya. He finds a right match in Puttaraju but there is a catch. Sowmya later reveals to Puttaraju that she was in love with Kishor who has ditched her. A helpful Puttaraju puts on an act to postpone the marriage and then goes to city to trace Kishor. He brings Kishor to the village to arrange a meeting with Sowmya when all the misunderstandings between them get cleared leading to a thrilling climax.
The film engages you throughout its length and the sequences leading to the climax will keep you on the edge of your seats.
The film does not have double entendres or violence or sex. Each character is perfectly etched and looks real.
Prashanth has really improved in his performance while Vishwas, of the recently released Jolly Days, also acts well though he could have done much better. Biyanka Desai and Spoorthi are wonderful in their respective roles. Spoorthi is bound to go places. But it is Anant Nag who deserves a big applause for his performance. He is extra ordinary in the climax. Doddanna shouts throughout the film which may irritate a section of the audience.
All in all, a clean entertainer.
Rediff Rating: