Janapada Kannada Movie
Well known Kannada literary personality Baragooru Ramachandrappa is not new to films as he has directed many award winning films. But his films have never had a theatrical release barring 'Hagalu Vesha' which featured Shivaraj Kumar. The film did not have a good run at the Box office and all other six or seven films made by the director have so far been seen only by the award committee juries or some friends of the producer or the director.
'Janapada' which is perhaps the second film of Baragooru Ramachandrappa to hit the screen centers around a serious issue of folk art and folk artists is a little different presentation from the director as the film has been shot for 38 days and the director has also used some well known artists for the film. The film has been shot in Shravanabelagola, the tourist shrine where a 58 feet statue of Lord Gommateshwara is situated. Apart from these attractions, the film does not hold anything new as it has a narration style of fifties and boasts of a technical expertise seen in the Black and White film era. The film's slow narration does not come as a surprise to film critics, as many of the non released films of Baragooru like 'Kote', 'Shaanthi', 'Kshaama' and 'Hagalu Vesha' were still slower in narration. It may well come as a surprise as Baragooru is considered as a conscience keeper of the intelligent and awakened Kannadiga and can analyze all the events in the right perspective. And he is well aware of the social, cultural and political developments that have made an impact in the country.
'Janapada' tell us the story of folk artist Chandru (new comer Raghava) who is a singer performs in the functions and celebrations for which he is invited. His work is recognized in the form of a government award and a city bred girl Nandini takes lot of interest in promoting him. The recognition to Chandru and his increasing popularity disturbs the village head, priest and another singer whose singing keeps off even his well wishers. Nandini slowly comes closer to Raghava and even wants to marry him. The detractors of Chandru are trying to paint him in black. Finally he is even barred from singing and boycotted from the village. How Chandru overcomes all the difficulties and will be able to sing forms the rest of the story.
The story part is O.K, but the narration is slow and dragging. It is certainly a big yawn. Raghava has enough talents, but lengthy dialogues in the film have not helped. Experienced Radhika has less scope, but it is noted television actress Nandini who comes out a winner in the film. Sharat Lohithaswa is a good actor, but in this film he is too stylized. And all the other artists have stereotyped mannerisms which were the hall marks of the films produced during the fifties and sixties.
Less said about the technical expertise in the film is better. 'Janapada' has a serious issue as its story, but its narration is dragging and unimaginative.
