Surprise, Surprise. Snehanjali is an unexpected Deepavali gift for Kannadigas. It was an unexpected turn of events that led to the release of this film after remaining in the cans for many months. Yes, lack of pre- release hype did restrict a good opening for the film.  Having said that, it has to be underlined that the film delivers more than what little was expected of it.

Unlike the below average gangster films that have been released recently, Snehanjali is a good film with good content.   

The film should have been marketed well by its producers just for the fact that it has a physically challenged person, Dhruv, as the hero. Dhruv has speech and hearing disability and it is for the first time in the history of Indian films that a film has been made with a deaf and dumb person in the lead. But it is not the sympathy factor that works for Dhruv.

 In real life, Dhruv is the captain of the Deaf and Dumb Indian cricket team. In reel life, as the hero, he looks exceptionally good in dance and fight sequences. If he improves on his acting and emotional skills, he is bound to go places (as he is deaf and dumb, his voice has been dubbed). 

Directors Girish Kampalapur and Siddaraju have shown great promise in making a neat film.  The film is photographed well and dialogues sparkle in a few places. The story has several twists and turns but without confusing the viewer.

Talking about the negative points in the film, the script could have been better written by Girish and Madhukar Belakawadi. The first half could have been much slicker. 

The story revolves around a foreign-returned Prem and Preethi who are upset with each other after a few interactions. But things get out of hand when they have to marry because of pressure from their fathers. Prem and Preethi want to break their marriage and try various methods for this.  But they only end up breaking their fathers' friendship. Finally the two youngsters realize their mistakes.

Music director Rajesh Ramanath has done a good job with some good lilting songs.  But one of the songs is a straight lift of the popular Hindi song Kya Bolti Tu from the Aamir Khan [Images] and Rani Mukherji starrer Ghulam [Images]. 

Dhruv's class act sends a positive message across to all the physically challenged people out there that hard work and determination can bring greater things in life.

Suneeta Verma has a better role in this film than her debut film Ashoka, though she needs to improve on her acting skills. Veteran actor Anant Nag shines and keeps his reputation intact.  .  

Watch Snehanjali for Dhruv and encourage this project. 

Rediff Rating: