Date:11/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/11/stories/2007021103130200.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Gripping fare deep in jungles

Film: Anumanaspadam (Telugu)

Cast: Aryan Rajesh, Hamsa Nandini

Music: Ilayaraja

Direction: Vamsi

That mere signature scrawl of Vamsi on the hoardings attracts crowds to a theatre. And when a subject is rooted deep in the forest promising elements of mystery and suspense, it evokes that much further interest.

`Anumanaspadam' that way comes with the trademark Vamsi handling and in parts revives those fragrant memories of `Anveshana'. Nature is unveiled in all its stunning glory. Streams tumble down, mountain ranges beckon while tricky and treacherous passages camouflaged in green make you part of the mysteries of the jungle.

It begins with the sensational killing of a poacher (a character inspired by Veerappan) inside the forest. A journalist (Aryan Rajesh) who goes to cover the event ends up running into a stranger from his own fraternity. In an accident, he is left badly bruised along with a tape and drawings of the stranger. A perusal of the documents reveals details of a treasure that the smuggler had hidden and how to reach it.

Mystery element

He decides to unearth the booty stashed away in the woods. He forms a team promising members a share and the quest begins. But is the smuggler really dead as is believed? Bad omen stalks them as unexpected situations and characters put brakes to their journey.

Till this point there is romance budding, humour tickling and songs interspersing the narration.

But when viewers return to occupy their seats after intermission, the mystery element takes over.

Bounty found, the team finds one after another removed from the scene in the most gruesome manner. Is the poacher alive and protecting his wealth or someone inside the team running a shadow game?

The climax turns gripping not resolving the suspense but with rich visuals and some haunting background score. Vamsi does not disappoint his fans but does leave one craving that the effort, coming from him and given the plot, could have been a better-mounted one.

Another `Anveshana' perhaps!

Performance wise, Aryan Rajesh does a sober job while Hamsa Nandini ends up as a glamour doll prancing around.

Others stick to their brief. Music by Ilayaraja has that famed touch and P.G.Vinda is picture perfect with his camera.

T.Lalith Singh