Scripts of certain films overshadow every other element of filmmaking. The director, editor, cinematographer, music director among others are all rendered mere puppets to the story; the script being so strong. With Amma I Love You, director K M Chaitanya had very little to do in terms of the story. Tamil director Sasi also the writer with the 2016 film Pichaikkaran, had already done everything to inspire. Chaitanya just had to woo the audience, which he does in an appreciable manner.
The story revolves around a rich businessman, a mother in coma, a greedy brother-in-law, and of course a love interest. The owner of Annapuraneshwari establishments (Sitara) inherits a huge property which his brother-in-law (Prakash Belawadi) wants to usurp. Siddharth loves his mother (Sitara) who had faithfully built the textile empire after her husband’s demise. But when Siddharth takes charge and everything seems to go well, his mother meets with an accident at the factory and goes into a coma.
The twist comes when an ascetic tells Siddharth that he has to spend 48 days as a beggar after which his mother will be cured. Siddarth agrees and becomes Siddhu, spends time with beggars, keeps an eye on his business through his faithful assistant played by Giri, falls in love with Bindu (Nishvika Naidu) fights goons, and finally ends his 48 days of ‘exile’. Does his effort cure his mother? Will he be able to save his empire from his mother’s brother and will he get the girl he loves? The film takes the audience through an emotional tale of mother-son bonding.
While the movie follows the original, the actors bring in some freshness. Chiranjeevi, although mirrors Tamil actor Vijay Antony of the original, he manages to exhibit a unique persona in his two avatars -- a businessman and a beggar. Nishvika Naidu as his love interest shines through the varied emotions she depicts with her character. A debutant, she gets a warm welcome to Kannada industry. Sitara, Prakash Belawadi, Ravi Kale, Biradar and other lend credible support. Chikkana, as usual, lightens up the screen with a class act.
Technically, Gurukiran’s music has themed the film’s background score with aptly placed songs that go along with the story. While Shekar Chandra’s cinematography is worth a pat, bringing in the mass element in Amma I Love You is the frequent action stunts, choreographed by Ravi Varma and Chiranjeevi here is often pit opposite a dozen of goons. Amma I Love You is a fine film to watch if one goes without the hangover of the original. You never know, you might just end up calling your mother.