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Drunken driving brings ghosts to the party

Last Updated 30 August 2013, 19:55 IST

Mandahaasa
Kannada (U)   ¬¬
Director: Rajesh R Nair
Cast: Rakesh Adiga, Chethan, Nikii Das, Srinath, Mitra

The boy who’s sworn off booze reaches his grandpa’s resort only to find the owner of a voice that only he hears crying “Anjali”, waiting for him.

Late into the night he engages the other in conversation and learns about his heartbreak — only to realise that he’s sympathising with the spirit of a man killed in an accident!

It’s now interval and the air is thick with suspense and expectation. Come second half and it is all about setting right a wrong in the mistaken belief that it’ll shoo away the guilt. Throw in some fine guitar-play and good dance steps with the backwaters of the Bhadra, and Mandahaasa slowly breaks upon the face. But not for long.

The film went on floors back when digital intermediate work was the “in” thing and filmmakers still cling to the novelty of it. So much so that clear blue sky and water have unnecessarily turned acidic green or aquamarine — which is the case here.

And the actors here are all cosied up in the resort--just like several of the political class! Silly errors like these are enough to wipe the smile off faces.

Yet, Santhosh Kumar Pathaje’s camera captures the little exploited Bhadra backwaters well with editor K M Prakash backing him up. Veera Samarth’s music is repeat-worthy.

Manju Mandavya’s dialogues acquire sheen specially when Mitra enacts the opening act scene at the resort twice. Srinath’s laboured words, the late R G Vijayasarathy’s usual high-pitched tone in pathetic attempts at comedy all pale as romance blooms between the two newcomers Nikii Das and Rohan who do a swell job. Sometimes, Rakesh pales before the two — perhaps befitting his role. Director Rajesh Nair too keeps it short.

Many may not like the close-to-reality climax but looks like ghostly intervention in love matters is making a strong comeback after Shravana Bantu! Music and camerawork are the highlights of Mandahaasa and little else.

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(Published 30 August 2013, 19:55 IST)

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