Even a consumer who buys a toilet soap for Rs 5 can approach the consumers' court if he is dissatisfied. So why can't a lover approach a court if his girlfriend cheats him of his love? This is the question posed by a disgruntled lover to the honourable judge in a court.
This dialogue in the Kannada film, Jaaji Mallige, got a lot of applause in the theatres. Many may think some of the dialogues in the film are regressive but Jaaji Mallige may well be a winner because the rejection of an innocent man by his love is narrated from a fresh angle.
Jaaji Mallige, directed by Anantha Raju, is the remake of Dhanush-starrer Tamil film Devathaye Kandein, which did reasonably well at the box office. Jaaji Mallige remains faithful to the original -- even the dialogues, written by Ramnarayan, looks as if they are translated. Tunes of two songs of have also been lifted from the Tamil original.
One of Jaaji Mallige's plus points is its comedy sequences. Ajay, Komal, Nagashekhar and Bullet Prakash bring the house down with their antics. Komal stands apart even in the sentimental sequences in the second half.
Ajay plays Ramu, a tea seller in and around colleges. He meets Uma, a student from a middle class family. They fall in love, and she promises that she will be always be with him. But after some parental pressure, Uma agrees to marry a doctor, realising that she cannot lead a happy life with a poor man like Ramu. That sends Ramu to court seeking justice!
Ajay is getting better with every film. He's terrific at comedy, and also as a dejected lover. Gauri Munjal oozes glamour, but her performance is questionable. Komal is an asset to the film.
Jaaji Mallige may please everyone -- those who have watched the original, and those who haven't.
Rediff Rating: 
