Movie: John Jani Janardhan
Director: Guru Deshpande
Cast: Krishna Ajai Rao, Yogi and Krishna
John Jani Janardhan is a comical extravaganza that stresses on social issues with a big, fat underline. It is a faithful remake of the Malayalam flick, Amar Akbar Antony, and director Guru Deshpande brings in a host of actors including three leading men - John (Krishna), Jani (Yogi) and Janardhan (Krishna Ajai Rao) -- for this familiar story.
The three youngsters and best friends live in a middle-class residential locality, Vasanthnagar Colony, doing regular jobs. Their dream is to make a trip to Pattaya, for which they try to a bit of money. Meanwhile, they live fun-filled lives, spending most of their free time drinking and vying for the attention of a young girl, Nancy (Kamna Ranawat), a dancer.
Most part of the film is done with humour, but there are hints of wrong doings in the neighbourhood, though no one seems to notice this. The story becomes gripping in the last half an hour when the little girl Shalu goes missing and the colony’s residents find her body in the drainage. The film takes a serious turn when Malashree, playing an inspector, informs the youngsters at the police station that Shalu was raped before being dumped in the drain. That’s when the trio takes charge and starts investigating, and the culprit will come as a rude shock. How the colony handles the situation brings us to the end of this film. The movie throws light on various issues such as paedophilia, which the general public should be alert to.
The film comes from an experienced director, Guru Deshpande, and he has followed the original scene by scene. There is no improvisation of any kind. Probably, he felt it is best not to disturb the subject, which was a big hit in another language.However the gags that is punctuate the narrative at regular intervals keeps the audience hooked. The film, which comes across as a serious, is made lighter with situational humour.
Technically, Arjun Janya has brought out music with great rhythm and Santhosh Rai Pathaje’s cinematography enhances the songs with the picturisation.
All the three lead actors Ajai, Yogi and Krishna have done a balancing act and are ably supported by the rest of the cast including Srinivas Murthy, Kashi and Girija Lokesh. Sadly, the heroine has little role to play and becomes just a passerby with a cute smile and flowing hair.
John Jani Janaradhan is a one-time watch and is for an audience looking forward for that little entertainment.