The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Remake better than original

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Monday, Sep 22, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Remake better than original

Engrossing: Jagapathi Babu and Baby Neha in a still from film ’Raksha’

Film: Raksha

Cast: Baby Neha, Jagapati Babu

Direction: Vamsikrishna Akella

Science and religion are often seen to be in conflict. While a doctor still relies on research to save a patient, there are many who believe in the supernatural. In this film Raksha, Ramgopal Verma selects a clichéd subject but strikes a fine balance between dogma and medicine.

Director Vamsikrishna develops the story, which is structured on an epiphany in a realistic and a passionate style. Towards the end of the film, what is revealed could be real or it might not possible for the viewer to determine its actuality but no matter: the effect on the character is quite real.

The problem with remakes is that if you are at all familiar with the plot then you know what to expect, and as a result, the movie has to double its effort to entertain and scare the audience. The film which is a remake of ‘Phoonk’ is publicised as being better than the original and it is for some simple reasons.

There are but very insignificant and minor changes but the characters are native, dialogues are simple and the screenplay is engrossing.

To top it all Jagapati Babu’s smouldering intensity and the way he battles with self and characters around to save his daughter spells poignancy and Baby Neha’s grabs attention for her splendid portrayal as a victim of black magic.

An atheist by nature, Jagapati Babu’s happy life is disturbed when his school going daughter starts behaving strangely.

Vermillion dotted lemon tied to bones, stolen strands of hair, sand and many more unexplained incidents perplex him but he is not willing to believe that his daughter is possessed till the doctor gives up on the treatment. Rajeev Kanakala and Satya Krishnan are introduced as Jagapati’s colleagues and people behind Neha’s life in the beginning of the film.

Satya suits the role and is far better than Ashwini Kalsekar in ‘Phoonk’. Rest of the characters and technical stuff add credibility. Raksha might not pull off any scares but it will hold your interest and one is sure to walk away with a distinct impression.

— Y. Sunita Choudhary

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