A taut, thrilling roadie romance

Kendasampige
Kannada (U/A),Cast: Vicky, Manvitha, Rajesh Nataranga, Chandrika, Prakash Belawadi,
Prashanth Siddi.
Director: Suri

If Geetha Bangle Store is rural romance, Director Suri’s Kendasampige, is typical urban romance, with dash of thriller thrown in spicing up the scintillating fare.

Kendasampige,  not only shows maverick Suri’s class and craftsmanship, but also speaks of his maturity as a film-maker over the years, who has polished his act.

The sequel about a rich beauty and poor deau roadie romance, caught in the vortex of law, bowls one overtinged with edgy thriller elements.

Suri astutely melds both commercial elements that appeal to mass, while, ensuring discerning ones are happy with its blend of realism and craft.

Suri, with surefootedness of a director with acumen, ensures Kendasampige is engaging as also entertaining.

Realistically told, aesthetically done, Suri weaves a wondrous tale of lovers on run — Ravindra and Gowri. An orphan and poor attendant in Gowri’s mother’s office, Ravindra, as circumstances would conspire, flips for Gowri, who too reciprocates his amorous attentions.

Lest audiences think there is no sting in tale, it comes in the form of Ravindra being booked for drug trade.

Making his escape from prison, Ravindra is joined by Gowri, baggage and booty. How the two give cops the chase, as they speed city after city, as go such classic capers, and where does journey end for runaway lovers, is unfolded in 99 short and crisp minutes as truth behind Ravindra’s troubles and tribulations are revealed.

Inventive and incivisely done, with briskness of pace and action, Suri’s Kendasampige, assisted by talented cinematographer Satya Hegde providing zippy feel to the drama, turns out interesting outing, given that week after week one is foisted with trite fare.

V Harikrishna’s pleasing score to the lyrics of Jayant Kaikini and Yograj Bhat, with debutants and senior cast providing pitch perfect performances, Kendasampige, along with Geetha Bangle Store, comes as double bonus, in a week that saw  five releases with festival round the corner. Both make for meaningful matinee.

Great week for Kannada cinema as Sandalwood spreads a special fragrance. Enjoy maadi.