Writer Janardhana Maharshi has done it again! He has brazenly rehashed the stories of Bindaas and Bombaat and created a laugh riot in his new Kannada film, Paramesha Paanwala. Director Mahesh Babu may still argue that PP is not inspired from the two films but the audience cannot be fooled. In fact, even Bindaas and Bombaat were copied from Telugu films like Dhana 51, Dhee and Aata.
But PP has its good points as well. The film is enjoyable in the second half thanks to the two actor-directors -- Om Prakash Rao and Sadhu Kokila -- and the well-conceived climax. If you have patience to sit through the first half , PP is an enjoyable film.
The story is simple. Paramesha is a paanwala, who loves his sister. His sister's wedding is fixed with a doctor, who is the son of a senior police officer. The police officer reveals that his son's life is in danger because he had killed a don's son in an encounter. The don is so notorious that even the police department is scared of him. Only one man can save the doctor and that is PP!
The story offers nothing new but Mahesh Babu succeeds in making the second half very entertaining. If only he had made a better first half, the film would have been one of the best entertainers of recent times.
Shivaraj Kumar is lively and dances very well in the film. But it is Rao and Sadhu who walk away with the honours. The film's other comedian Sharan has limited scope. Heroine Surveen Chawla looks good in dance sequences. Ashish Vidyarthi, as the villain,is monotonous.
PP is sans logic but is still an enjoyable fare.
Rediff Rating: 
