It’s a family thing

After Rajkumar’s three sons it is now the grandson, Vinay. His debut film Siddhartha was launched without much fanfare

January 29, 2015 03:32 pm | Updated 03:33 pm IST

Learning the ropes Vinay has a long way to go in the acting department

Learning the ropes Vinay has a long way to go in the acting department

The name Raj Kumar evokes an aura of awe in Kannada cinema even when it appears only as a suffix. Audiences embraced his three sons initially, purely because they were ‘aanavru’s’ sons even though they paled in comparison, looks or talent wise. Of course now Shivraj Kumar and Puneet have cultivated their own clan of fans. Since both have daughters, the onus was on Raghavendra Raj Kumar to groom his reluctant son Vinay. An introvert by nature Vinay could be found hanging around his uncle Puneet’s ‘sets’ as the location of shooting is called. Raganna, who has the last word when it comes to approving any of Puneet’s projects started scouting for a script that was contemporary and would suit his son. Giriraj, the director of ‘Jatta’ and ‘Mythri’ who has a stage background was requested to train Vinay. It was more an effort to get the youngster shed his inhibitions. Vinay even acted in a play written by Giri that I was privy to, staged before a motley crowd of family and friends. Of course, he was pumping iron with Puneet and learning action and dance to strengthen his acting armoury. Raganna finally approved of a storyline presented by his cousin Prakash. Sleepless nights were spent fine tuning it into an engaging, acceptable script that would lure today’s youth to the theatres. ‘Siddhartha’ was launched without much fanfare and even had a low key release. Who better than Raganna knows that high expectations are the bane of stars and filmmakers. Another star son has been baptised with greasepaint and his rise will be watched keenly if only to keep the family flag flying high.

Economic disparity and parental opposition are passé. These were the two major obstacles along with belonging to different communities that the lead pair had to overcome onscreen till recently. ‘Siddhartha’ would have ended in a couple of reels if these were the thorns. Hero hangs around with a band of ‘chaddi’ buddies, plays the guitar, shares a drink with his dad and warns a goon that his name may be ‘Siddhartha’ but he’s no Buddha! An unprovoked fight on the streets and a song later he promptly falls in love. The reluctant heroine thaws but warns him about her strict father, a stickler for punctuality who turns down a multi-crore deal because the businessman arrives late. Hero floors father by showing him there’s more to life than mergers and acquisitions. Now that should be the end of the film, but Prakash tells you that presently these are not the problems couples face. Hero feels torn between friends and heroine and requests a brief break to remain incommunicado. The break backfires. Heroine, in a vengeful mood wants a yearlong parting to pursue her education abroad with similar conditions.

Hero says he’ll wait but she returns with a fawning beau. The film ends predictably. You can see that there was a lot deliberation about how the pair should reunite. Strangely in the lead to the climax there’s a sequence that‘s very similar to the one in the recent mega-hit ‘Ramachari’. It also has Sadhu Kokila playing the same role.

Raj Kumar’s sons were introduced by directors from neighbouring states. Prakash has the onerous task of introducing the scion of the first family of Kannada cinema and nearly pulls it off. It’s an innocuous, mildly amusing film with some interesting characterisation. Vinay plays a character that belongs to the ‘we only have one life and it’s very short’ generation. He’s faithful to his friends, dotes on his dad and yearns for unconditional love.

There’s nothing drastically different. No opulent ‘sets’, vile villains or ‘punch’ dialogues. The director thankfully shuns any reference to the illustrious grandfather. Vinay has a long way to go in the acting department but to his credit his casual demeanour is appealing. He doesn’t try too hard which works for him. The film has not blazed the box-office but is doing reasonably well.

It probably would have done better had it been released before ‘Mr. & Mrs. Ramachari’.

sshivu@yahoo.com

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