YET another industry kid dons grease paint. Ratan,son of veteran make-up artist Babu, debuts in 'Karthik Anitha'. And paired with him is new face Manju,from Kerala.
It's about friendship maturing into love, he couple not quite ready to accept it, realising only much later what they meant to each other. The duo Karthik and Anitha are neighbours and childhood buddies. The close relationship between the families, the easy camaraderie among them,the matter-of-fact way the parents accept the friendship between their progenies, are all treated in a very natural way by the debutant director (a former assistant to Sunder C.). The film has a realistic feel for the most part.
Students of the same college, Karthik and Anitha indulge in ‘betting’ games, their one up-man-hip often leading to misunderstandings and light hearted bickering. While some of their antics are enjoyable, the same cannot be said of their other acts. Their antics to irritate one another takes a serious turn wen Anitha inadvertently becomes the cause of Kartik’s public embarrassment at college. All her attempts to appease him end in failure. Even the news that her parents had zeroed down on a groom for her, gets her only a sarcastic cold response from him. Stung by his behaviour, Anitha on the rebound, consents to the marriage. The scene where the duo slowly realise their true feelings for each other has a smooth flow. The dialogues too help out here.
What goes against the film, is that it reminds you of similar earlier films like 'Poovellam Un Vaasam', and 'Piriyadha Varam Vendum'. And what works for the film is the fresh appeal its debutant lead pair lend to the scenes. Ratan and Manju fit in suitably, and essay their roles with conviction. Also, one gets to see Rajan P Dev, and Kota, who normally play baddies, cast here in positive roles as caring understanding fathers. Fairly engaging, 'Karthik Anitha' is a clean, wholesome family entertainer, sans violence, overt glamour or inane comedy tracks.