Let's get straight to the point. Rajani Kantha is highly ineffective. It seems to be a movie which has been just thrown to the kitchen sink when the plumbing work is pending. There is no great story to speak of, just the adjustments. Director Pradeep Raj has tried to lure the audience using a loose subject. And in all fairness, the casting has gone completely awry.
Duniya Vijay is left with nothing but flexing muscles or uttering one-liners, ruining his appeal. The story is about twins Rajini and Kantha. Rajini is born with cleft lip and has problems with his speech while the younger Kantha is a spoilt brat and always a trouble-maker. Their mother gives more attention to Rajini because of his problem and Kantha is obviously jealous.
Incidentally, both brothers fall for the same girl, Priya (Aindrita Ray) who happens to be the local goon's sister. Rajini tries to impress Priya through poems, but is snatched away by his brother Kantha who wins her heart. This causes friction between the two brothers but in a twist, Kantha wants to end the relationship. Was Kantha trying to sacrifice his love for Rajani or will the brothers fight for love? Who will win Priya's hand and what happens later, forms the rest of the story.
Vijay, a mass hero, has tried to attract the family audience by choosing a sentimental subject but he fails as he has just gone by the director's vision. Aindrita Ray's talent is totally wasted. Other supporting characters like Rekha, who plays the mother's character and Bullet Prakash have nothing much to do.
The dialogues and action go in opposite directions and the comedy is very low key. On the whole, the ingredients never catch fire in the lifeless script. Arjun Janya's music is good but is lost in the story and there is nothing to rave about Giri's cinematography.
The Verdict: It is hard to swallow particularly in an era of diminishing expectations.
Film: Rajani Kantha (Kannada)
Cast: Duniya Vijay, Aindrita Ray
Director: Pradeep Raj Running at: Kapali, Inox