Alemari Review

It is 'Santusht Huva' craftsmanship from debutant director Santhu. A believer in work in the first film he has struggled very hard in getting a good opening. Definitely Santhu has 'Meter' to shine like director R Chandru of 'Taj Mahal, Mylari and Ko Ko Koli Kothi'.

The determination of the director in giving a gripping film with sentiments is appreciable. In the risk of giving a box office film the film `Alemari' is quite lengthy (14 reels plus) is the major drawback in Santhu. Had he relooked at the weaker areas of the film and controlled the thoughts of dialogue writer, this would have been a competent film.

A director should not leave the audience to take a yawn. That is what happens at many places from this director. He should be lucky because of a good producer, artist and technician team coming to his first film.

'Alemari' is 'Paradeshi'. He is Mohan in the flash back. The present condition of Mohan (Yogish) is blood curdling. The situation in the life of Mohan is such that he has reached the tip of success but slips away. In the case of Mohan a milkman his lady love Neeli (Radhika Pandit) is a tough guy. He takes a long time to convince her in love. But Neeli from orthodox Brahmin family has strict opposition from her father Sridhar Shastry (Ramesh Bhat). A wise decision for Neeli is that she prefers her father decision. The decent and obedient Mohan wins the heart of Sridhar Shastry when he arrange for his operation without any expectations. The true love touches the heart of Sridhar Shastry. When all is well for Neeli and Mohan the old feud crops up.

Mohan is not attached to underworld but sudden rise of Nimhans Soori in underworld becomes a costly affair. Nimhans Soori was beaten in the streets by Mohan on a few occasions earlier on a petty quarrel. Now the new sheet anchor rowdy Soori wants to put down Mohan.

On the day of meeting of Mohan and Neeli the trouble shoots up and severely hit Mohan is put in a sordid stage. He becomes a Pardeshi at the hands of Mesthri Raju Thalikote. The memory, strength and power reduced in Mohan. No one can recognize him. He will be just dreaming of his past. It is at this position he is shown with flashback of his life on the silver screen.

Radhika Pandit in her cool and composed performance steals the show. She is good looking in every costume and every scene she has made it look very easy for her. Sure to be No.1 in the coming days in Kannada cinema.

Yogish with a new look - that is ugly has taken the big risk. For an actor in good demand this type of experiment reminds what challenging star Darshan had taken in `Nanna Preethiya Ramu' and Sudeep in `Huchcha and Swathi Muthyam'. In action and dance Yogish excel. The only complaint is that he has to change his hairstyle.

Mico Nagaraj as underworld don is a screen stealer from his dialogues. Ramesh Bhat as fit father, Nayana as friend of Radhika Pandit gather good attention throughout. Rakesh doing the underworld role at this young age is not convincing. His dialogue is also immature for his role.

Arjun Janya music and Manjunath Nayak cinematography are the other redeeming features of this film. The songs such as Maribeku Ninna..Thundi Beedi..Ale Aleyo Alemari and Neeli Neeli Ninna Kannali..are superb in melody. Neelin Neeli..song will stay for a long time in memory.

This is worth a dekko!