Suryakaanti

The lightness of being is indeed a weighty matter. And Chaitanya knowingly has presented an almost feather-light film. Creating a large canvas, he has woven the story of a hired assassin finding love right into the heart of the viewers, for those who are still young enough to survive with stars in their eyes. Those who have had their ‘takkar’ with reality, are in for some disappointment, coming as it is from the director of ‘Aa Dinagalu’ (AD).

Developing characters according to each of his actors’ strengths and limitations, Chaitanya gives everyone equal space and the film chugs along in a leisurely fashion. This gives viewers plenty of good things to savour - the bevy of Uzbekistan beauties combine with its picturesque locales and breath-taking monuments to provide exotica, while the Uttaranchal woods, the Waade of Chachadi and its surroundings add that touch of authenticity required by the story.

Action director Ravivarma delights with his stunt choreography, specially the Uzbekistan segment and the climax. Ditto cinematographer H C Venugopal, who has executed his director’s vision, keeping things simple. Indeed, simplicity is the theme of the film, one that risks disappointing some aficionados of ‘AD’. Ilayaraaja’s scores have already gone deep inside the chartbuster jungle, allowing his magic to seep in, slowly and slowly.  

The casting is bang on. The actors’ screen presence matter much in a film that is determined to skim the surface of heavy sentiments. Nasser as the freedom fighter and patriarch of the family, Ramakrishna as his independent son, Ganesh Yadav as the don are all pleasant to watch. So are Chetan and Regina. Dialogues sometimes tend to be stilted though... Swaying with gentle twists and turns, ‘Suryakaanti’ allows little time for emotions to register. But this may indeed indicate a future when viewer intelligence finally gets its due. For now, ‘Suryakaanti’ is an entertainer foremost and on that count, is ‘bhar-poor’ ‘paisa vasool’ film.