Back to rural roots

Vamshodharaka
Kannada (A)  Cast: Vijay Raghavendra, Meghana Raj, Lakshmi, Sreenivasa Murthy, Sadhu Kokila, Rangyana Raghu
Director: Aditya Chikkanna

Seeking elusive success at box office, actor Vijay Raghavendra returns with Vamshodharaka as Vishwanatha. What is heartening is Vamshodharaka takes viewers back to the rural hinterlands and the perennial problems faced by farmers. The film comes as a welcome relief from the otherwise mindless thrillers foisted in mundane regularity.
However, director Aditya Chikkanna has not believed in cashing in on the subject to provide a pleasing entertainer with social import.

With a double degree at hand, Vishwanatha, returns to where his heart is – his village which he considers is heaven. Being young blood, and a rich man’s son, he exhorts fellow villagers to take up organic farming like himself. He also aids several fellowmen and interjects whenever there is a problem to solve it amicably, championing their cause. Even donating his kidney to save a friend. In between, he romances village belle Ratna, the social activist-daughter of Putte Gowda, and marries her.

The film, which brings on screen a myriad of moments in the life of a village and takes up several social issues – husband-wife relationships, importance of land holdings, familiar misgivings, distrust, vengefulness – however, falls short of a heart-warming fare.

Chikkanna is unable to infuse newness into the narrative. Chandrachar Kumar’s plotline seems rehashed of old hits, written to revive the prospects of Vijay Raghavendra. What is infuriating is the crass and crude comedy, as also the item song, which the film could have safely done away with. Vamshodharaka, reminds one of the yesteryear hits of Kannada film icon Dr Rajkumar, especially Bangarada Manusha and Kasturi Nivas.

The only saving grace is P K H Das’ picturesque, painterly vignettes of countryside, as also V Manohar’s music, especially Hayaagi Haraadi, reminding one of a similar tune from a Hindi film. Despite several pitfalls, Vamshodharaka is worth a watch with family this festive season.