18th cross

When crime taints love

Kannada (U/A)
Cast: Deepak, Radhika Pandit, Bullet Prakash and others
Director: Shankar

This film was launched with a good buzz about its hero Deepak and the girl who was being launched opposite him. Deepak’s performance and ‘Shankar Nag’ looks had been noticed earlier, and the girl was popular on the small screen. 

Six years down the line, the girl, Radhika Pandit, carries the mantle of a homegrown star, if not diva (with Ramya still ruling), bagging three Filmfare awards in a row and a State award in her career. While Deepak continues to promise much of his underutilised potential, getting a solo release this week with 18th Cross.

This not-new story sees Deepak as Jeevan, who’s framed for murder just when his romance with Punya (Radhika) picks up pace. He sets out to exact revenge obviously. Eventually, it all boils down to whether the couple will lead a happy and normal life or succumb to the underworld.

Shankar starts like all others but soon, the screenplay asserts itself. The ripening of love between the lead pair may seem prolonged but the drama following it grabs the attention. Deepak impresses with tremendous screen presence and a couple of rough edges.

Radhika’s earnestness and eyes give a clue to the sway she holds over the audience, both class and mass.  

Ramakrishna and Vinaya Prakash nee Prasad are the perfect middle class parents with all attendant problems. So are the ‘rowdies’ essaying real-life characters.  What works for the film is its ‘ageless’ frames that maintain continuity. Producer Chikkanna’s efforts have not gone in vain. The story, however, is a different matter.

It’s well-fleshed out and highly relevant. Or is it? To an audience that’s overexposed to a regular dose of similar stories, this film is yet another ho-hum affair. A tight narrative, reasonable performances, camerawork and splendid music fail to keep up with an audience that looks for escapist entertainment and instant gratification — a pity, really.