'Charulatha' (Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu)
Director: Pon Kumar
Cast: Priyamani, Skanda, Saranya Ponvanna, Ravi Shanker
Actress Priyamani makes a grand comeback in a heroine centric movies, which releases across four languages (Kannada and Tamil versions have original versions while Telugu and Malayalam are dubbed versions). One of the most awaited film to come out of Sandalwood from Dwarakish Production, Charulatha does not seem to keep up to the hype.
The film does not allow the audience to sit tight, springing to life only in some parts of the film. Director, Pon Kumar efforts to create horror flick does not hit the bull's eye but he does show signs of his hold on film making.
Inspired by the 2007 Thai movie, 'Alone' (starring pop singer Marsha Wattanapanich in the lead role), Charulatha is a story of conjoined twins Charu and Latha.
They promise to live together but things change when they turn twenty. Enters Ravi (Skanda). Though both of them fall in love, Ravi likes Charu. Enters jealousy.
A fight ensues and Charu dies. A surgery follows and separation takes place. But Latha who survives acts to be Charu. What happens next forms the central point of the movie. Priyamani, who is the first ever heroine donning the role of conjoined twins, has given a splendid performance.
Her act in the bath tub and while playing the violin scene is very effective. Ravi as the protagonist is good but along with supporting actors like Saranya Ponvanna and Ravi Shanker, fall pale against Priyamani's performance.
Apart from the 3D graphics, some shots by the cameraman Panneer Selvan are quite stunning. Watch out fot the ceiling fan scene and shooting the conjoined portions. Nothing great about Harsha's choreography and Mohan B Kere's art.
The Verdict : Though the film cannot be labelled a total horror flick, go watch it for Priyamani's stellar performance.