Paaru W/o Devdas
Kannada (U)
Director: Kiran Govi
Cast: Srinagar Kitti, Soundarya Jayamala and others

Paaru W/o Devdas is a seven-year-old love story, recounted by Paaru. According to her, and the director, she has ego issues. So much so that she doesn't 'reciprocate' Dev's feelings, preferring to keep hers all bottled. Yet, fate throws them together every now and again, with serious consequences to face. Do the lovers finally express themselves and unite? Or do they fade away like others before them?

Coming from the director of Payana and Sanchari, Paaru W/o Devdas raised expectations of gripping drama, fabulous music, shot beautifully to emphasise the emotional content. Sadly, a dragging first half brings the expectation level down.

Marketing Paaru W/o Devdas as a musical love story, the director tries his best to deliver. Arjun Janya tries to fill in the shoes of Harikrishna and then Abhiman Roy, and comes up with two hummable tunes, and little else. Ramesh Raj's camerawork enhances the cinematic experience as much as possible. Dialogues, an important component, fail to gel here.

Govi brings honour killing into the picture during the second half, to perk up interest. A hard task as the climax begins to drag too, also bringing to mind Mussanje Maatu a bit.

Kitti is a treat to watch, particularly during the last 30 minutes while pretty Soundarya comes into her own in the film... Yet, her characterisation differs from how the director gets her to describe her role. Apart from this blemish, Paaru W/o Devdas begs a viewing, if only once.