Now-a-days, I hardly watch Kannada movies in Halls, though I am a fan of the Great Dr. Rajkumar, the last Kannada movie I watched in a cinema Hall was Kichha by Sudeep. I think some 5 years ago. Yesterday, I dared to watch a Kannada movie in PVR Cinemas in Bangalore, and we selected the recent release : Snehana Preetina:
Snehana Preetina, Love or Friendship ?
- Cast: Aditya, Darshan, Lakshmi Rai, Sindhu Tolani.
Director: Shahuraja Shinde
Music:Hari Krishna, Lyrics: Nagendra Prasad.
The story line revolves around two friends- Aditya, the only son of billionaire Raghunath Rao (Rangayana Raghu) and Surya (Darshan), a mechanic, child hood friends are inseparable despite Raghunath’s aversion towards the poor.
Raghunath barely tolerates Surya but is incensed when he finds that his son has made the mistake of falling in love with a ‘slum girl’ Sindhu (Sindhu Tolani, a new comer I think). Raghunath’s friend Rajeev Kumar (Rajeev), is also in a similar situation. Daughter Lakshmi (Lakshmi Rai, a big name in Tamil Filmdom ), has fallen in love with Surya! Initially, both the billionaires try every trick that they can, to separate the lovers but to no avail. But they manage to create a rift between the friends on their engagement day by showing Surya and Sindhu in a negative light. It is left to Aditya’s uncle (Sadhu Kokila) to set things right and unite the friends with their lovers.
This Movie, Snehana Preetina, admittedly copies the Amir Khan-Ajay Devgan starrer Ishq, that was a big hit with the youth. The remake is not bad either, succeeding in tapping the target audience with eye-catching locales, pleasant music and passable humor. Comic Scenes are well timed, and bring lots of laughter. It is surprising to see Darshan in a Comedy role, as I have heard and read about his violent roles with Laangu and Machhu et el. A. Nagaraj’s camera brings us delectable visuals of not just Europe and I believe some shots in Sentosa Island in Singapore and also a favourite shooting spot, the Mysore Palace. Music and Lyrics are good. I liked the song "Nanna Chanchale Karitaale summane.. Say Something" very much.
Among the actors, I should be honest and not biased, it is the waif-like Sindhu Tolani who manages to steal the show in the limited opportunity given to her, yet can be criticized for not being upto mark in serious sequences, specially when the Wedding card was thrown at her by Lakshmi.
Laxmi, appearing first time in a Kannada Movie ( I am not sure, if it was her first, b’coz she never looked so..!!!), first scene fight with Surya and breaking the wind shield of the Jeep marks her entry and role of a “Bade baap ki Bigadee hui beti” she has acted wonderfully, and deserves an applause.Her dignified bearing makes it bearable to watch inane scenes. In some of the scenes, her lip movements do not match with the dialogues.. !!!
Next comes Darshan, who makes it to the list, all because he has not been allowed to scream his lungs out.
Aditya should learn to project a happy heart more often. His sour face takes the charm away from proceedings. Sadhu Kokila is OK with his limited footage. MMC ( Mukhya Mantri Chandru) and Doddanna don’t have much to do.
There are certain loopholes in the movie although negligible: In the climax Adi / Lakshmi’s car meets with an accident near Cubbon Park and limping Adi reaches Airport by walk..!! Over all a good movie which you can sit and watch with your family.
I can give ½ to this movie (out of five.)