When mischief turns serious

Kannada (U)
Director: Yogaraj Bhat
Rating: Above average Drama
Cast: Yash, Radhika Pandit, Neenaasam Satish and others

Intolerable pranks, cracks every few seconds, indefatigable energy, undercurrents of tension, grief, frustration, mischief and scheming...

Yogaraj Bhat brings the story of Venkatesh (Engta-Yash) and Satish (Sateesaa-Neenaasam Satish), the bane of their village and a prankster’s delight.

Even as the village recovers from their latest misadventure, the tund hyklu encounter a fortune teller (Ambarish).

His predictions based on figurines and dolls are yet to go awry and this time too, his words make the boys pause.

Soon, Engta and Satisaa are out to fulfil their destiny, courtesy a bunch of city hudgeeru led by Radhika Pandit, who outwit them in a kabaddi match. They enrol in a college with the principal a mini-legend, mainly due to his chaste Kannada and unflinching adherence to rules.

That there is a painful past behind the stern man is soon evident. To win over his ladylove who’s been “insulted” by the principal, Engta hatches a plan. And then things go awry.

Appearing more and more like a sitcom, Drama doles out entertainment in generous doses if the seetis are anything to go by. Having savoured the flavours of the Uttara Karnataka dialects, the director turns his attention towards Hale Mysore region, in particular, Mandya area.

As usual, there’s enough and more to keep the audience in splits, with Satish coming up tops rattling off in his native dialect.

Playing second fiddle to Yash, Satish marches ahead with his nuanced acting — the beach resort scene a fine example.

Yash carries off from his Kirataka turn and is utterly lovable. Radhika showcases her fine skills yet again with Suchendra Prasad running close. The entire cast has done its job well.

Harikrishna finally reminds people why he is the numero uno with his Chendutiya pakkadalli, letting go of all dhaam-dhoom music; other songs too play well. Krishna’s camerawork is first class.

There’s a lightheartedness, almost laidback, approach to the story.

Bhat is determined to casually caution today’s youth with raging harmones to take it slow and study first. Some may be disappointed, of course.

Drama makes for a colourful presentation, with the sweat and tears conveniently camouflaged by in-your-face humour. Makes a good watch.