Soori and Vijay created magic in Duniya. Naturally, everyone expected their second outing together to be an exciting one. But Junglee turns out to be a damp squib and the only thing you remember about this Kannada movie is the excellent song picturisation and the dare devil actions sequences of Vijay.
Director Soori has not made a film that would provide any challenge to this dependable performer (Vijay has won a state award for his performance in Duniya). What we see in the film is lengthy and meaningless dialogues that are only aimed to appeal to a small section of the audience.
Junglee Prabhakar takes the help of Gudde Narasimha, a good for nothing person who has right connections to be an actor. Gudde takes him to a retired Don Guruswamy. Junglee is also in love with Padma, a college girl. Padma wants Junglee to severe his connections with the Gudde gang. From then on, we have a series of flash backs.
Though Vijay has done his best in creating a laugh riot with Rangayana Raghu at the beginning of the film, they do not make an impact later as there is an overdose of such scenes, which make them really irritating. Most of the narration is in flashback mode which often confuses.
Soori is basically a good writer and it is the strength of the script that makes his films largely appealing. Most of his characters are down to earth but in Junglee, they aren't real. Sathya Hegde's camera work, however is brilliant.
Coming to the plus points of the film, it is to be said that three songs have been exceptionally brilliant with good co-ordination work between the cinematographer and choreographers. Even the item song has been well picturised. Yogaraj Bhat's lyrics in Hale Paathre and Powder Haakkollo are mass oriented. Jayanth Kaikini has written a very brilliant song. Safe to say that Hari Krishna's music is the high point of the film.
Andrita Ray looks sensuous and glamorous on screen in all the three songs. Vijay shows flashes of brilliance in comedy and fight sequences. We have seen Rangayana Raghu in such roles before. Aadi Lokesh has nothing much to do in the villain's role. Nanjunda and Sureshchandra are good in their respective roles.
All in all, Junglee is an ordinary film from Soori's stable. Watch it only for Andrita, Hari Krishna and Sathya Hegde.
Rediff Rating: 
