Poojary-Love with Long Life Kannada Movie
Director Sharan made films like Kullara Loka and Dr. Ambedkar which did look sensible for their novelty as such subjects were rarely made in the Kannada film industry. Kullar Loka was made using around one hundred midgets and was shot in dense forests in Uttara Kannada district. Though the film failed in the Box office, the director's attempt to make an unusual film did get notice. Despite many flaws, Sharan's presentation of Dr. Ambedkar obtained critical appreciation and the film got a special jury state award. But the director's latest film Poojary does not look like an attempt from a director who took such diverse subjects and was still committed to make a mark through these films. Poojary is a below par film which is full of blood and gore based on a run of the mill stereotyped story. Sharan has also not made any attempt to show case his desire to be different. On the whole the film tries to ape some successful gangster films like OM, Shashtri and Jogi.
The story of an innocent and traditional Brahmin boy becoming a gangster because of some circumstances is not something fresh for Kannada films. Box office hits like Shivaraj Kumar starrer and Upendra directed OM and Darshan starrer Shashtri had the same story plot. OM had directorial brilliance of Upendra to support it, but Poojary suffers from all deficiencies including the script and a hackneyed narration. In a desperate bid to some how achieve the success, Sharan has taken to the path of a couple of badly made gangster film. The net result is one more addition to a series of poor films which neither have neither some good technical values nor a credible story. Almost all the artists look confused in the film without knowing what they have to do in that particular sequence.
Aadi is the son of a Brahmin priest who is studying in a college. He is an innocent student who is completely focused on his studies. Neeta who is Aadi's classmate loves him, but Aadi does not respond. Neeta is from a rich family and her uncle who is a notorious underworld don wants to marry her. The don comes to know that Neeta has a lover and begins to torment Aadi. Then in a scuffle, Aadi's father is killed and his sister is raped. Aadi is forced to take up weapons to fight his adversaries. He is forced to become an underworld Don. Then what happens is all bloodshed, gore, shootings, sword fights and killings. Hundreds and hundreds of people get slaughtered. And to add up to the confusion you have Aadi doing a double role in the film. From then on, the film takes a turn for the worst.
Aadi Lokesh who made a wonderful debut in Jogi as the villain is being launched in this film as a hero. He looks unconvincing in both the roles that are not well defined. His fight sequences may appeal to some segment of audience though. Heroine Neetashri who did an artistic film like Beru and a neat commercial entertainer like Jog Falls is completely wasted in the film. Ramesh Bhatt is however impressive in his role.
'Poojary' is certainly a blood and gore film. Though it is a launching vehicle for Jogi fame Aadi Lokesh as a hero, the film bores you till the last reel. Neetashri has no scope. Director Sharan makes another run of the mill sword and sickle film.
