Chaitrada Chandrama- movie review
5th Sep 2008 - 8:30pm

Need chopping in length

Title – Chaitrada Chandrama
Banner – Cheluvambika Pictures
Producer – Smt.Bhagyavathi
Story, screenplay, dialogue, music, lyrics and direction – S.Narayan
Cinematography – Renukumar
Cast – Pankaaj, Amoolya, Shobaraj, Veena Sunder, Pallakki Radhakrishna, Vijay Jatti, Suma and others.

The birth of a new hero is tucked with all the ingredients but how come the hero Pankaaj has not been advised to undergo treatment from a dentist. Is it the last minute preparation of Kannada cinema industry’s pride S.Narayan? Except the bulging teeth and dialogue delivery this is one absolutely fits the youngster Pankaaj. In the shade of his father S.Narayan he has been groomed very well but the major bottleneck of this film is the length. Who can sit in the theatres nowadays for three hours and ten minutes (the first show film started at 4.50 and ended at 8.20 pm)?

Amoolya gives wonderful performance is another hall mark of this cinema. She has a good beginning and equally good ending till the last ball the hero Pankaaj hits a six. Lovely songs and tremendous work from cameraman takes the film to the above average level.

Pankaaj is a staunch cricket follower. In the last 63 matches he played no one could get him out. He has a tiff with Amoolya from the day she dashes Pankaaj vehicle and that dash is also to the heart of Pankaaj. For the first time in the cricket field Pankaaj is bowled. The reason is Amoolya. The hate turns love as the days pass. Amoolya proposes because it is only from Pankaaj she can get affection and no one else in the family. To kill her boredom Amoolya in fact puts Pankaaj career at stake. The national cricket team of less than 19 age player Pankaaj is forced by the circumstances to take Amoolya to Kashmir to leave her to her father’s house. It is so accidental Amoolya’s father is in Bangalore and there is a vigorous search going on for both Amoolya and Pankaaj. Pankaaj is badly wanted because he has to appear for the Indian cricket team. He misses the opportunity and also the affection of his father. On the other side Amoolya tries to committee suicide when her father does not allow her to meet Pankaaj. In the hospital Amoolya father throws a challenge that he should become a national player and score 100 runs to win his daughter. This is cinema and it happens according to the wish of everyone in a thrilling style.

The cricket match as a game in the social cinema was first adopted by Dr.Rajakumar in ‘Eradu Kanasu’ later in Kumar Bangarappa’s ‘Navathare’ the cricket game was used. But a recent Kannada film titled as ‘Sixer’.

Director S Narayan using the most popular game has used it in right spirit and he has taken the guidance of the game properly from the learned persons. The spirit of this film reminds us of the ‘Lagaan’ Hindi cinema.

Pankaaj has almost perfectly fit in his caliber. He has the height color, good looks but the teeth should get in his mouth. He has danced and fought very well in the action scenes. Amoolya looks a beautiful butter scotch ice cream. She has the chances of becoming another Soundaraya. Pallakki irritates, Vijay Jatti is OK, Veena Sunder is superb, Suma is tolerable. Shobaraj is as usual furious.

Excellent locales, cinematography, songs, graphic work, costumes, make up add to the value of this film. Narayan has forgotten about his favorite comedy in the film.

This is a passable film.