MOVIES

Review: Maisamma IPS

By G P Aditya Vardhan
November 26, 2007 12:20 IST

What inspired veteran Dasari Narayana Rao to script a story that is so contrived?  It has nothing whatsoever to boast about in screenplay, direction, characterisation, action, cinematography or music. Perhaps he wanted to prove a point that an item girl too can deliver the goods as a protagonist. 

Well, this can be done only when there is a strong resolve to keep away from the urge to titillate the viewers especially when you are casting an item girl in the lead role.  And most important, the protagonist in <I>Maisamma IPS</I> portrays the role of a responsible police officer, that too an IPS officer.

Well, Mumaith Khan is a hot favourite as an item girl post Pokiri. After that she did a small role in Evadaithe Nakenti where she donned the role of a police officer. Even here she was exploited to the hilt by showing her in dream sequences.

Perhaps this portrayal of her must have impressed Dasari to script a story. But it ends there. Director Bharat Parepally takes charge and goes overboard in showcasing sleaze in the form of rape scenes which is totally uncalled for. The outfits worn by Mumaith Khan and some of her action would make all women police officers hang their heads in shame.

 One cannot blame Mumaith for this because this is her first full-length film and she did her best to do justice to the role but the 'makers' appear to be hell bent on making a fast buck with a title that is so absurd.

 Dasari is in the habit of giving typical titles to gain some shock value and Osey Ramulamma belongs to this class. But there, the storyline had struck a chord among the viewers especially those from Telangana. Besides, it had seasoned actress Vijayashanti in the lead. Perhaps Dasari wanted to repeat history, but the entire exercise appears to have only one motive and that is to titillate the viewers and make money.

The film is about a sister out to take revenge against those responsible for the miserable life led by her elder sibling.  A girl child is born to a helpless mother during the Maisamma jatara and hence, she is christened Maisamma. Her parents die and her sister brings up the little girl. She is forced into prostitution by her husband Sayaji Shinde for his gains. When he tries to rape the young girl, both of them runaway. But the elder sister dies as Shinde sets his dogs on her. Eventually Maisamma becomes a police officer and sets out to take revenge.

Coming to performances, Mumaith has done her bit but language surely is a barrier. Had she known the language, perhaps she would have given a better performance because language makes one understand the nuances of the character much better. Sayaji Shinde fits perfectly into the villain's role.

L B Shriram and TV anchor Prabhakara are miserable in their roles. M S Narayana's comedy is pathetic. 

Gang rape, incest and sadism shown on screen leave the viewers disgusted.

Stay away from the film unless you want to spoil your day.

Rediff Rating:

G P Aditya Vardhan

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