‘Ballari Naga’

12.10.09 : This is a wonderful action feast for the fans of Dr.Vishnuvardhana. The 199th film of superstar ‘Ballari Naga’ is in style, substance, glamour and glitz. In the social context this type of story and treatment meted out to bad guys in the film are apt. First bash and then say why is he doing it is somewhat undemocratic but to streamline the system such ‘Ballari Naga’ is essential.

The redeeming features of this ‘Ballari Naga’ are the style of Dr.Vishnuvardhana, his Bellary region style of Kannada, the comedy touch he has given and the cooling glass man giving a cool performances at places is superb. The costumes designed by Dr Vishnuvardhana daughter Keerthi Vardhana are flashy and gives a colorful image to the character ‘Ballari Naga’.

A remake of Malayalam film ‘Raja Manikyam’ (Mammooty in the lead) the Kannada version is enjoyable entertainer. Director Dinesh Baboo who had seen Dr.Vishnuvardhana in emotional films like ‘Suprabhatha, Laali and Premotsava’ gives the first action film. The action image for Dr.Vishnuvardhana is in tact right from the days of ‘Sahasa Simha’ Kannada film in the 80’s.

Ballari Naga (Dr Vishnuvardhana) is a disheartened youth. He is safeguarded by Vishwanatha Gowda (Avinash) secretly. Why Vishwanatha Gowda takes such a step is known after the interval. However Naga in unique costumes, wearing cooling glass always, twisting his moustache is present wherever the injustice is there. In the family of Vishwanatha Gowda he comes as a stranger and takes time to set the things in order. Poles apart are brother and sister in the house. The hunger of property and money divide the family members. The will written by Vishwanath Gowda irritates brother and sister that eventually flare up the situation. They make vicious plans to uproot the strength of Naga who is the controller of huge property for a period of 25 years. Disturbing Naga in any way is not possible because he is very intelligent and he is always right in his thinking.

Whether Naga unite the family members, what is he in this family is revealed in this interesting screenplay film holding the attention for the audience.

Dr Vishnuvardhana in an action image is absolutely fit. The Kannada diction of Bellary district in Karnataka is what very much notable. Munching pan, wearing cooling glass, twisting moustache this is a different kind of role for Dr.Vishnuvrdhana. His fans would be very happy. Avinash, Ambarish Sarangi, Shobaraj, Rajesh given admirable support. Chitra Shenoy as mother and Ramesh Bhat as the protector in the family are apt. Lakshmi Hegde is impressive in a small role. Manasi has nothing much to do.

The title track of the film that flows at regular interval lifts the mood of the film. Cinematography by director Dinesh Baboo does not leave a good impression while watching the first day first show. That may be due to carbon defect in the theatre.