Gowri Review

Tamil actor Vijay has a fetish for remaking Telugu films. Somehow, Telugu film producers and directors also have an equal fetish for remaking his films in Tollywood.

But going by the mixed luck that both Vijay and Telugu producers have had with remakes, it is something of a mystery that why they are holding on to this idea limpet-like.

And when you see Gowri, which is a scene-by-scene dutiful remake of the Tamil film Thirumalai, you wonder whether the effort is worth it. Are not our Tollywood directors better off making films that reflect the local flavor and ethos?

Gowri is not rooted in any culture --- it is neither earthy nor urban. It falls in between. Like the name Gowri --- it is neither one thing nor the other

Gowri is a hero-dominated movie, giving ample scope for Sumanth to parade his prowess.

Gowri (Sumanth) is a happy-go-lucky mechanic who lives life on his own terms. He bashes the baddies. He dances with gay abandon. Just when his life is going smooth, he falls in love with Swetha (Charmi) in a typical romance-at-first-sight. However, her father, shown as a media mogul Chandrasekhar (Vizag Prasad) is opposed to his daughter marrying a commoner. So he hires Sarkar (Atul Kulkarni) to finish off his daughter's suitor.

But after several run-ins, Sarkar understands the honesty and integrity of Gowri and lets them together. Interwoven into this tale is a husband-wife combo (Naresh and Kousalya) who almost adopt Sumanth as their own son. After plenty of biff and bang, Gowri has his way and his girl.

It is an author-backed role for Sumanth and he has acquitted himself adequately. He looks part of the ruffian character and is at ease dancing with verve and vivacity. Charmi is an apt counterfoil to him. She is full of beans and acts with understanding the limited role.

The standout artiste is however the National Award-winner Atul Kulkarni as the hit-man Sarkar. He brings out the right emotions at the right moments, giving his character an acceptable plausibility. The heroine's father is shown as a media heavyweight but that is only for effect and he looks out of place.

Director Ramana, who directed the original, has strained much. Why tamper something that ain't broken, seems to have been his philosophy. But the point is he was lucky to start with. It is a moot point as to how long will his luck run.

The music is mediocre, but the rest of the technical workers have done their jobs well.

Sumanth is on a roll these days --- marriage and more films.

But he should still watch out -  Gowri is certainly not something that will fit in with his present mood of happiness.