Jugaari

Several years ago, writer Yandamuri Veerendranath had the peoples of AP and Karnataka eating out of his hands. A recurrent theme of mind games in his novels went on to shape public consciousness.

S D Arvind makes judicious use of the same theme in “Jugaari” with telling effect. His no-fuss presentation appeals in an age of excess. But, the absence of masala proves to be the film’s undoing as the “masses” are put off by the refined tastes of the director.

The party song (not an item song anymore) is a fine example of incorporating a relatively exotic form of dance into the story without breaking its flow. Arvind gets fine support from his crew - Arjun, Shekhar Chandra, Mohan B Kere, Narayanswamy Mysore and Sri (Crazy Mindz). The result is pure cinema brew, a heady one that at.

Slow in the beginning, the film builds up to a nice crescendo, only to sink back with a gentle sigh, leaving disappointment. Hero Avinash is a good find, his demeanour confident. However, he needs to work upon expressing the staple emotion of Indian cinema - grief.

Harshika tries mightily to chew a role that is big for her and does a creditable job. The rest - Shivaji Jadhav, Avinash and several other actors - have all done a splendid job. “Jugaari” is intelligent cinema, with little “mass” appeal.