Nenapirali, by a first time producer and director, is really a cut above the rest in terms of quality and presentation. It is a treat to watch for a number of reasons -- its splendid visuals, scintillating music and, above all, the sincerity of the director in presenting what can be called a very neat film.
There are no gory sequences, mindless fights or double entendres dialogues in the film, which has some stunning outdoor shots coupled with some good performances. Rathnaja, an engineering graduate, and his friend Ajay Gowda ought to be proud of what they have created. And, considering most roles have been played by relative newcomers, this is no mean product.
Nenapirali is more about the heart than the mind. The characters are of the kind me meet in our day-to-day lives. You don't find dramatic moments that turn the story topsy-turvy. The film is neatly narrated and all characters are consistent in their behaviour. Even the climax matches the caption of the tile 'Remember, it is something to do with the heart'.
The film focuses on four young people who react to a particular situation in different ways. It is about their dreams, reactions, attitudes, mental blocks and, above all, their personal choices. No one can explain why each makes a particular decision, or why one person faces a particular dilemma. They belong to the present generation, shifting from one decision to another over time.
The story deals with two friends, Kishor (Prem) and Ekanth, who are thick despite the economic disparities between them. Ekanth is in love with Sindhu but rarely finds the time to be with her on account of his business commitments. Sindhu says her parents are not happy about her relationship with Eknath. So, the latter asks Kishor to put on an act. He asks him to pretend to be in love with Sindhu, so her parents will oppose it and let Eknath marry her instead. Everything works out.
After marriage, Ekanth asks Kishor to work at his Mangalore office, where he falls in love with Sindhu's sister, Indu. The rest of it is too complicated to narrate on paper. Let it be said, however, that everything falls in place on screen.
Rathnaja comes out with flying colours in his first attempt, and is aptly supported by a technical team of veterans including music maestro Hasalekha, Award-winning editor Kemparaj and cinematographer H M Ramachandra also pass muster very well. The songs are really good, particularly the title track and Karanji Kere.
Nenapirali has class. It is a worthy addition to the list of good films from the Kannada film industry. A must for all industry enthusiasts.