The Kannada film industry seems to have developed a fancy towards the Jago re! campaign. Highlighting government apathy and corruption, and lack of people's participation in public affairs have been among the most preferred to subjects this year. After Thiparalli Tharlegalu, Prithvi and the recently released Super, comes Om Prakash Rao's Huli (Tiger).
Chandappa Huliyal aka Huli (Kishore) is an upright police officer. His 'for the people and of the people' attitude not only makes him a popular cop but also his city limits an anti-crime zone. His fearless attitude earns him enemies in a local minister (Shobraj) and his goon brothers, and a lover in TV reporter Preeti (Jennifer Kotwal).
With the help of the media and his police department, Huli exposes the underhand dealings of the minister and even pits a teacher (Malavika) against his corrupt brother in the elections and has her win hands down. Not one to take things lying down, the baddies hit back by attacking Huli's mother in public. It's now time for the public he swears by to help him derive justice by turning witnesses, but will they rise to the occasion or adapt the 'it's none of our business' attitude?
Comedy, thankfully, limits itself to dialogues mouthed by main characters here and there. Huli is all about power, youth and education. It not only has a message for voters but also for the educated who are shying away from entering politics. The academia also gets a lesson or two. Hot blooded students get fair share of screen space as well. Be tolerant towards youth from other regions, is the message conveyed to them.
Kishore could not have asked for a better commercial hero debut in Kannada. He dominates every scene and does most of the talking. He is an actor who can go beyond just delivering dialogues. He does justice as the rough and tough Huli. Jennifer plays a bubbly and hip reporter with a social consciousness. Malavika is at ease with her empowered woman role. Shobraj does a brilliant job of his bad boy act.
The songs are limited in number. An item song has also been thrown in, but music is not the highlight of the film. It is also hard to miss the fact that some shots have been generously borrowed from other films. Dialogues, some funny, some power packed and some over board will be lapped up by the masses.
Finally, Huli is an average mass movie with messages that we have heard time and again.
If your idea of paisa vasool is action and dialogues unlimited, then the film has just that for you.
Rediff Rating:
Triple treat for Kannada movie goers
'I am a chick with unique ingredients'