Film: Bajarangi
Director: Harsha
Cast: Shivarajkumar, Aindrita Ray, Rukmini, Sadhu Kokila, Harini
Shivarajkumar hits back with a vengeance with Bajarangi which has director Harsha overseeing every bit of this fantasy adventure that has given a new definition to lavish montages and visuals of beauty and grotesque horror in Kannada. Bajarangi assembles some good characters who work brilliantly in the settings.
There is fun, there is drama and what can be termed as the best action scenes of the year. Split into two sequences, this is one of the finest efforts by the director. The films opens with Jeeva (Shivarajkumar) who stays in Bangalore with his mother, sister and grandfather. He is known as 'Iron leg' among his family and friends as his presence ushers in bad luck.
Since he is pronounced to have the worst possible horoscope, he is put through some remedial black magic. Enter a stranger from Ramadurga, who reveals to Jeeva that he is no ordinary person and if he wants to know the truth about himself, he should visit Ramdurga. Jeeva comes across Geetha (Aindrita Ray), a journalism student, who also is visiting Ramadurga for a project on black magic. Their experiences in the village make for the second half of Bajarangi, profiling a place that is crime-ridden, debris strewn, glum and architecturally incoherent, a place that is desperately in need of a saviour, someone who will free it from the corrupting grip of crime boss Raktakshara.
Good make-up and costumes as well as convincing rustic locations work for the movie. Shivarajkumar looks and acts as young as he can as a college student and is equally perfect as the father who makes a dashing appearance in tight-fitted leather costumes. Bajarangi also boasts of another impressive special effort. The art direction and special effects are nothing less than stunning. Under Harsha's smooth direction, everyone seems to be having a good time and enjoying the story.
The running length is a bit long and this dulls the movie in parts, but if that was an issue the audience solved it with a chorus of 'Jai Bajarangi'. Aindrita Ray doesn't have much to do. However, actress Rukmini takes the cake with her special appearance and dance moves. Supporting characters like Sadhu Kokila, Bullet Raja, Tabla Nani and Harini come and go and make an impact despite the screen space. The director has done a fine job of telling this picturesque tale. Jai's camerawork is masterful. Be prepared to hear 'Bossu namma bossu' by Arjun Janya on various music charts.
The Verdict: A fantasy film, filled with beautiful scenes and an exciting story.
