Date:17/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/17/stories/2006091700660200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Fresh, insightful comedy

LIVING IN HER ROLE: Deepika Padukone in and as Aishwarya.

Aishwarya (Kannada)

Director: Indrajit Lankesh

Cast: Upendra, Ramakrishna, Ramesh Bhat, Komal Kumar, Sadhu Kokila, Deepika Padukone, Daisy Bopanna and Chitra Shenoy

AISHWARYA SETS an example to the ailing and theme-starved Kannada cinema industry on how an intelligent team can create a film that looks more original.

The otherwise drab and stale theme of "love's labour last" has become a fresh and insightful comedy with tragic undertones at the hands of director Indrajit Lankesh.

The story line, which has two well-defined parts narrated meticulously, sustains the audience interest. In the first part, lovable young manager of an ad agency Abhishek Hegde (Upendra) becomes a misogynist as he feels that his girl Anjali (Daisy Bopanna), a model, has jilted him. In the second part he shuns his misogynistic attitude realising that he is neither a jilted lover nor his love for Aishwaraya (Deepika Padukone) is not lost forever.

What makes the film purposeful is its unorthodox treatment of the theme. Admirable sense of humour, underplayed pathos, well-defined screenplay, slick editing, pleasant photography, cleverly contrived situations and incisive dialogues contribute to the success of the film.

Upendra, with his new corporate looks and his inimitable style of dialogue delivery, dominates throughout. The new entrant, Deepika Padukone, and the relatively new Daisy Bopanna excel in their roles.

Rao

K.N. Venkatasubba Rao