'Jarasandha' (Kannada)
Director: Shashank
Cast: Vijay, Pranitha, Rangaayana Raghu, Devaraj, Roopa Devi, M Chandru
It is directed by Shashank who made debut with ‘Sixer’ and wielded the megaphone for successful films such as ‘Moggina Manasu’ and ‘Krishnan Love Story’. Surprisingly, Shashank had selected an out and out action-oriented flick laced with a little bit romance and sentiment. With ‘Jarasandha’, the director wanted to convey a new message to society - Criminals are born and not made.
The problem with the director is that it is not clear whether he wanted to glorify the violence or the violence is the one and only method to earn money. We are all aware that films are for entertainment but too much glorification of violence and criminals getting away without punishment convey a wrong message to society, especially youth who do not want to work hard for survival.
Some of the sequences, especially those of primary school, have the potential to misguide students of last bench in class rooms. There is no dearth for violence and gory scenes. It would have been a better had the Censor Board members suggested the director to trim down or remove some of the scenes; especially that particular one where hero kills his opponent by piercing the latter’s body into two parts.
It will be difficult for the audience to see hero’s face smeared with blood like children smearing their face with cake while celebrating birthdays. The film begins with a TV anchor (Shashank) interviewing Ajaykumar Desai (Devaraj), Deputy Commissioner of Police about a book on criminals. He narrates the story of a criminal. He is Krishnamurthy alias Kitty (Vijay) who has two friends Manja and Sharavana. Kitty happens to rescue Samantha (Pranitha) from a lecherous owner of a paying guest home.
Impressed by Kitty’s physique, Samantha falls in love with him. The more he tries to distance himself from her the more she becomes closer to him. She happens to see him killing a few antisocial elements. At this juncture, Kitty explains to her under what circumstances he was forced to opt for violent methods.
He also tells how Adikeshavulu Naidu (Rangaayana Raghu) used to sponsor donne biryani for him. And how Naidu advised him to eliminate an underworld don to control the business activities in Bangalore.
As far as Vijay’s performance is concerned, he has excelled in stunt sequences. Pranitha has acted well. Songs are good. It is worth watching if you are fond of action-oriented films.