Film Review: Rishi

CLOSE ON the heels of ``Ullam Kollai Pogudhae'' comes P. A. Art Productions' ``Rishi'', another film directed by Sundar. C - an actioner this time. The moment the titles begin and Sarath Kumar stretches his pectorals, the genre to which ``Rishi'' belongs is clear.

The only difference between Rishi and Velu (a dual role by Sarath Kumar) is that the former romps around town with a tooth pick(!) on his lips. Otherwise the two are identical, though they are not even remotely related to each other. One is a criminal, (Rishi) who causes a melee wherever he goes, while the other is a fun- loving henchman of a car dealer (Velu).

When Rishi and his gang leader Satya (Arun Pandian) plan a diamond burglary in a hotel room, Nandini (Sanghavi), who is a dancer at the hotel, comes in the way and loses her eyesight in the skirmish. Rishi decides it is his bounden duty to save her and slowly gets away from the clutches of Satya. Meanwhile Velu falls in love with Indu (Meena). He is constantly targeted by one or the other of his look-alike's foes who think him to be Rishi. Rishi has a floppy that can doom the political career of a state minister (Devan). And the story goes on...

Not establishing a definite identity for either of the heroes and lack of depth in the screenplay are pertinent flaws of ``Rishi''. Everything about the characters seems superficial. Meena is expectedly wasted, but Sanghavi gets a few opportunities to perform, which she utilises well. The comic streak in Velu comes across effectively, telling the viewer that Sarath Kumar can appeal in a humorous role too. But there are not many such sequences and the ones that are, seem disjointed. The group dance in the hotel, the skimpy costumes and the fights that follow, are all so typical of the films that were made a couple of decades ago. The story, incidentally, is by Panju Arunachalam.

``Oh mane! mane...'' is a melodious piece from Yuvan Shankar Raja.

S. S. Rajendran makes an appearance after a long time, as a dignified Chief Minister.

The journalist securing the floppy that has incriminating evidence against the minister, happens in the first few minutes of the film. Later towards the end, when you have nearly forgotten about it, the issue surfaces once again and helps to create a climax. In between the cohesion needed to bind the plot seems to be missing.

``Rishi'' lacks the tempo and verve an action film is generally expected to have.

MALATHI RANGARAJAN

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Section  : Entertainment
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