Tamil film director Bharathi Raja once said that the second film is most crucial for any film director who delivers a big hit in his first attempt.
Case in point is Kannada film director Rathnaja, whose second directorial venture Honganasu is the most anticipated film after his debut film, Nenapirali in 2005 changed the focus and direction of Kannada films.
His second attempt, however, seems to have lost the plot. It looks as if Rathnaja was overconfident with this presentation that he failed to see the gaping holes in the narration and loosely connected sequences. Surprising, since the director says that he has taken a fairly long time to write the script, select the crew and compose the songs for the film.
The whole focus of the film is on the somewhat passionate affection between the hero and his cousin whom he refers to as his sister-in-law of his house (something which may not be liked by the conventional audience who do not want anything to cross the limits of the traditional outlook).
Plus, the sequences featuring
Rathnaja also seems eager to put every creative element that comes to his mind on celluloid which is confusing.
Except for the music by Hamsalekha and the well picturised song Kandu Konde Kandu Konde, the director fails to get the best from the other technical departments.
Nenapirali Prem, who had some bad releases recently, acts well and looks cute in the songs. Anuradha Mehta, on the other hand is seen looking morose throughout the film. In contrast, newcomer Anjali is a delight. Sharan and Shobharaj are good in the comedy sequences.
But overall, the film is a let down.
Rediff Rating: