It was just a year ago that the Telugu film Anasuya established actor-ad filmmaker Ravi Babu as one of the industry's top-notch directors. Ditto for Bhoomika as a top-ranking Telugu actress. Now actor-producer Baalu has every reason to feel proud of his debut production and performance in its Kannada remake.
Anu is directed by Shiva Ganapathy, who earlier worked with Ravi Babu, as an associate director. Ganapathy has been faithful to the original screenplay and perhaps this is why he's won in his effort to make a film in an alien language. Ravi Babu had written a perfect, engrossing and authentic script. In addition, Ganapathy has signed Shekhar Chandra as the music director, who created a fantastic background score for the film.
Though the locations are quite different, it is to Ganapathy's credit that he has managed to create a perfect mood for the sequences. Technically, the film may not be a match to the Telugu original, but still Anu scores with its gripping narrative style.
Unfortunately, while Shiva Ganapathy has selected perfect artists for the lead roles in the film -- Pooja Gandhi, Baalu and Naag Kiran -- he could not get the right artistes for the other roles. Also, some of the key sequences could be repulsive to the female audience.
Anu plays a television reporter, who is assigned to investigate a series of killings. From there, it's a classic murder mystery, leading up to an exciting climax where Anu ends up face-to-face with the murderer.
Pooja Gandhi as Anu, has put in lot of hard work to accurately portray the challenging role. She gives the best performance of her career in a role tailor-made for her. She is extraordinary in the climax sequence. Baalu has also achieved a fair degree of success in his role. Even Naag Kiran has the best role of his career in the film. Duniya Rashmi is competent in a vital role that provides a turning point to the film. Sundar Raj overacts, as usual.
Anu can be enjoyed by the audience, who love thrillers. For Pooja Gandhi, this is certainly a big break. It is time that she chooses films where she can further demonstrate her talent.
Rediff Rating: