More than a miaow, less than a roar!

Omprakash Rao’s form continues. Taking a break from naming his films after cities and towns, he brings Huli, the tale of a kadak police officer Chandappa Huliyal, who’s posted to Mysore to rescue the Heritage City from the clutches of Shobhraj and his henchmen. Expectedly, Chandappa encounters stiff resistance and even suffers a personal loss. How he goes about cleansing the city of rowdy elements forms the rest of the story.

Huli makes a pleasant change for Kishore and an audience tired of seeing him act the villain while wearing khaki. His diction is good while the expressions are easy. Jennifer Kothwal is there to provide the necessary oomph but is yet to learn Kannada to emote better. The ‘chemistry’ between Jennifer and Kishore brings out a chuckle or two - their interaction should have been handled better. Or perhaps Lakshman Reddy was forced to go snip, snip, snip.

Still, there’s much to cheer about - white flesh ‘pressing flesh’ in stock shots offer a variety for the drooling viewer who is a little disappointed with the desi stuff on offer. Then there are the fights. Kishore’s lean frame does not invite superhuman, Matrix-like antics and the stunts are kept as realistic as possible.  Some of M S Ramesh’s dialogues leave a sour taste behind, but acquire a new texture with Shobhraj’s amazing timing. Strident tones are what is left of Malavika’s role; rest of the cast form the props. Abhiman Roy, Lakshmi and Avinash Chebbi spring a pleasant surprise right at the beginning with an unexpected melody sadde illade..., but that’s about it.

This Huli’s roar doesn’t carry far though.