Jolly twosome
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Ramesh and Jaggesh share a great chemistry in Tenali Rama
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THE BEST MEDICINE Tenali Rama has bought laughter into the cinema halls
As the year draws to an eventful end there's reason to cheer. Audiences are walking out after watching Tenali Rama with a smile on their faces. It's difficult to make people laugh for a couple of hours. Comedies serve as a balm for bruised souls and if you keep it clean families come in droves. TR is inspired by a Malayalam hit starring Mohanlal. Inspired because it's not loyal to the original. The gags that work wonderfully are the ones from the original.
The problem with remakes start when the director decides he has to contribute, creatively. I mean if you have the talent why pay rights for a remake? The director here goes off tangent and loses his way most of the time.
The story meanders and is more like a series of unconnected anecdotes. What works for the movie is the sizzling chemistry between the heroes Ramesh and Jaggesh. Both are blessed with uncanny comic timing and their screen banter sparkles. There are no signs of either trying to steal the limelight, which proves the confidence they have in their talent. A little pruning will help. As of now you can't complain as the film is a hit.
Happy star
Ramesh is relieved. None of his films have flopped since Aptamitra. I'm convinced Ekadanta will be a hit too," says he star after watching a preview. This film directed by Sachin reunites him with the Aptamitra cast of Vishnuvardhan and Prema. Soundarya is being sorely missed. So how are the stars who've finished pending work spending their time? "Well actor-directors like Ravichandran and me are busy writing scripts. Otherwise, for a change we are socialising a lot these days, which was not possible previously. I think it'll help improve the camaraderie among stars," says the genial star.
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Pointless exercise
Is the end of the industry imbroglio anywhere in sight? Why do stars call press conferences when they have nothing much to convey? Vishnuvardhan and a band of stars met the press just to wring their hands in helplessness. It's an ego battle out there and someone has to take one step backward like Ramesh points out for things to be settled. Hopefully things will not spill on to the streets. Ashok who heads the workers union is seen to be autocratic holding up shooting schedules, which is what started the problem. Let's hope good sense prevails at both ends.
S. SHIVA KUMAR
sshivu@yahoo.com
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