Film: Zoom
Cast: Ganesh, Radhika Pandit, Sadhu Kokila, Kashinath and Kavya Shetty
Director: Prashant Raj
In filmmaking, taking the laughter route is indeed the shortest distance between the film and the audience and director Prashant Raj seems to have found his short cut to success with Zoom. The director, whole heartedly
inspired by the 1961 Hollywood film Lover Come Back, is amply dolloped with comedy, the film ushers in a new season in Sandalwood which has been seeing a line-up of emotional drama and action flicks.
For a lot of reasons, the film appears to be an entertainer and Prashant along with Ganesh and Sadhu Kokila will get all the love they want because they have managed to pull off one of the most light-hearted films of the year so far.
The plot of Zoom gets an advertising backdrop where two advertising agencies are in competition to get an ad contract. How the two lead characters, Santhosh Shetty (Ganesh) and Naina (Radhika Pandit), working in two different agencies, take charge in getting the contract creates the foundation of the story. Whether it is through hard work or smart work forms the rest of the film.
No doubt, the film is filled with double entendre jokes and the punch lines may come across as raunchy, but the way it has been picturised mellows down the distaste. The gags are really funny and the dialogues are bold, easily managing to take the narration forward. The masala dialogues written by Nataraj and the director himself work big time.
But the best part of Zoom is bringing in the right characterisation. Ganesh is at his best and handles the film with ease. Seems like the actor's only motive was to ensure that the audiences are entertained. He along with the other actors transport the viewers to a laughter world.
A fair part of credit should go to Sadhu Kokila too, for it is after some time that he has got back his mature comic timing.
Radhika Pandit not only looks stylish but has put in a good effort in her first ever comedy outing. Senior actors like Kashinath, who plays the role of a scientist, Jaya as Naina (Radhika's friend) and Kavya Shetty as Santosh (Ganesh's colleague) have played their characters well.
A couple of songs by SS Thaman are laudable and Santhosh Rai Pataje ’s cinematography is pleasing. With very limited characters, the film is highly recommended for those who just want to laugh out loud.