Date:29/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/29/stories/2006102914960200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Brave venture by a veteran

A PROJECT RESURRECTED: Ambaraeesh and Jayanti in `Saavira Mettilu'

Saavira Mettilu (Kannada)

Director: S.R. Puttanna Kanagal/ K.S. L. Swamy (Lalitha Ravee)

Cast: Jayanti, Ambareesh, K. S. Ashwath, Ramakrishna, D. B. Basave Gowda, Ramakrishna, Anu Pabahakar and the late Kalyankumar, Pandaribai and Vajramuni.

When it was launched 38 years ago by S.R. Puttanna Kanagal, "Saavira Mettilu" was heralded as something fresh in Kannada cinema as the legendary filmmaker had just then established himself in the industry with someone who has a modern outlook.

But the film with a bold and humane theme could not take off.

It has at last seen the light of the day.

The film deals with the sufferings and sacrifices of a rational woman at different stages of her life. The late Puttanna Kanagal attempted to tell the story in a philosophical mode with powerful visuals. At the hands of director K.S.L. Swamy the film gains in tempo. But it struggles to match the vision of Puttanna. It would be unfair to attribute all the shortcomings to Swamy as he has only completed the left out portion of the film under many restrictions and compulsions.

However, Swamy's ability to accept the challenge and resurrect the 38-year-old film despite several hurdles should be admired.

On the histrionic front Jayanti as a teenage college going girl and as the mature woman is superb.

K.N. VENKATASUBBA RAO