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Crazy Star' Ravichandran's new Kannada film Ugadi -- a remake of Telugu hit Santhosham -- has been in the making for more than a year. This is the third film that comes out from the Sai Prakash-Ravichandran combination, but it looks like director Sai Prakash refuses to learn anything despite tasting failures in his first two attempts. The film is as haphazardly made as his earlier films, Oda Huddidavalu and Neelakanta. The only redeeming factor of this film is the last 20 minutes of the film.
Directed by Dasarath, Santhosham -- starring Nagarjuna -- was a feel-good film, aimed at family audiences. Sai Prakash has remained faithful to the original to a large extent. Yet, the film lacks the flavour, sensibilities and freshness of the original.
Music director R P Patnayak has retained the same tunes in Ugadi from the original. Except for the choice of locations and artists, the narration has remained the same. Like in the Telugu film, song sequences have been shot in Switzerland. Srikanth, who had acted in the original film, makes an appearance in the Kannada version also.
Ravichandran plays an architect Sanjay, who falls in love with Kaveri. But there is opposition from Kaveri's family so the couple elopes. The joy is shortlived as Kaveri dies. After a few years, Sanjay meets Ramya. Ramya falls for Sanjay, but it is one-sided love. How Ramya wins him over finally, forms the rest of the story.
Ravichandran is lively at times, but it is not one of his best performances. Debutante Kamna Jethmalani is better than leading lady Jennifer. Srinivasa Murthy and Vinaya Prasad pass muster. Cinematographer H C Venu has done a decent job.
Ugadi is an ordinary remake, nothing more.
Rediff Rating: 