JOIN USBul Bul
Kannada (U/A) ¬¬¬¬
Director: M D Sridhar
Cast: Ambareesh, Darshan, Rachita Ram
Bul Bul, maataadakilva...? These words of an arrogant Jaleel (Ambareesh in Nagarahaavu) gradually dropped the leering menace and turned into the favourite pick-up line of every padde hyklu.
Adapting Prabhas starrer Darling into Kannada, Darshan and Co make judicious use of the line — with a song on the lead pair and the hero uttering it a couple of times, the last time behind Ambi’s back.
Bul Bul is an out and out entertainer with Darshan having the most fun while Ambi gets to entertain his fans, old and new, as only he can.
Unlike the usual format of a few fights, a few songs, a couple of comedy scenes and a semblance of a story crawling in between these, Bul Bul gets the mix of these elements right. It’s only the film’s length that scratches the patience thin.
More than Darshan or Ambareesh, Bul Bul is Rachita’s film. The leggy lass, though not of Deepa Sannidhi’s height, holds her own against the Challenging Star, challenging him with her expressive eyes that also floor any onlooker.
Blessed with a svelte body and easy body language coming from a dancing background, the debutant impresses with her performance as well, with actors senior to her taking care of her shortcomings. Given some more time, this girl can be a real asset.
There’s not much work for actors like Ramesh Bhat, Ashok, Tennis Krishna, Chitra Shenoy, Sihi Kahi Chandru and even Sharan as much of the drama happens between Darshan and Ambareesh and Darshan and Rachita. Sharath Lohitashwa is impressive in the limited screentime he has.
A V Krishnakumar’s cinematography, Harikrishna’s adequate music and the deft handling of the plot by Sridhar coupled with Soundar Raj’s editing and action scenes make this Bul Bul a very pyaari, pyaari bird. One wishes there were more scenes between the Rebel Star and the Challenging
Star just like in Veera Parampare with Sudeep — just to savour their acting prowess, but that is not to be. Was one of them underutilised here? No complaints when the Bul Bul finally makes the hero’s heart her nest.