Expectations were high from the new Kavitha Lankesh film. Rival Kannada actresses Ramya and Rakshitha came together for the first time; the story was based on a classic by master Tamil storyteller Kalki; and music maestro L Subramaniam played violin for the film. Not to mention Kavitha's own impeccable credentials with Deveeri and Preethi Prema Pranaya which won awards and acclaim from all quarters.
But halfway through Tananam Tananam, you realise Kavitha Lankesh has derailed the story, and nothing really works in favour of the film. The second half of the film is an especially big yawn. All her previous films had engaging scripts, but this time Kavitha adds too many unnecessary elements, like the so-called comedy sequences, which dilute the importance of the plot. The first half is little better, with a few early sequences raising your hopes.
Tananam Tananam tells the story of Shankar, a veena student so devout he stays in his teacher Shashtry's house. Shashtry's daughter falls in love with Shankar, but he is disinterested. Then a drama troupe comes to the village, the centerpiece of the troupe being the charismatic Bhavani.
Shankar falls for Bhavani, but the glamorous actress is more interested in the future of her forty odd theatre workers than to the love of an ardent fan. She tells Shankar to forget her and marry anyone who is in love with him. A frustrated Shankar loses his eyesight, and Shashtry's daughter takes over.
It is obvious that Ramya and Rakshitha have worked hard for the film, but it is certainly not their best. Tamil actor Sham makes a Kannada debut, and that statistic is all that can be said of his presence in the film. Veteran artists like Girish Karnad and Bharathi Vishnuvardhan have very little to offer, as their characters are not so well defined. The comic sequences aren't fit to be included in such serious romances.
The high point of the film is certainly the music and if at all the film is saved it may be because of the wonderful music compositions and the background score. The Tananam and Kandenaa songs are shot well. Now if only we could say that for the entire film.
Rediff Rating:
