Akka Thangi Kannada Movie
Ramesh Yadav's Akka Thangi is a real welcome surprise for the Kannada film audience who have been obviously concerned with the series of bad films that are hitting the screens in regular intervals. Here is a well crafted film for the entire film audience which has a powerful story backed by heart touching music and top level performances.
Akka Thangi starts off in a slow pace but it is evident that director S.Mahendar has decided to make the film focusing more on reality and nativity aspects. And the film comes with a strong message advocating respect for truth and value based life style elements.
Govina Haadu or Punyakoti song written by an anonymous writer has been a popular song for nearly two centuries and it is known to every person who knows the language. The story of Akka Thangi is nothing but the film version of the Govina Haadu song.
The song essentially carries moralistic overtones. It is about a Tiger prowling on an innocent Cow in a grazing field. The cow would request the tiger to give it some time to enable the feeding of its calf and for making arrangements for its protection in future. The tiger disbelieves cows words, but still wants to give a chance. As promised cow returns to the tiger after feeding the calf and requests the other cows to look after the calf. The tiger is stunned by the integrity of the cow and is on a repentant mood. The cow says that Truth is everything in life and God will not forgive if it does not value Truth. In a sudden twist, the Tiger ends its life falling from the mountains.
Director S.Mahendar has not downplayed the drama, but yet the film comes as a refreshing product for all the sections of the film audience. And comedy sequences have been neatly blended in the film. It would be difficult for any one to come out of the theatres without shedding tears in some of the sequences of the film. The audience can return happily from the theatres feeling that this was the movie they were looking for.
The film breathes life from the opening scene thanks to the focus on nativity and reality. The temple town of Male Mahadeshwara Hills as the back drop and has used the Kollegala Kannada dialect for all the artists.
Akka Thangi is the story of two sisters Nagi and Kaveri who are orphaned early in their life and share a strong bond. And the elder sister Nagi is the most assertive of the two who wants to educate her younger sister. Nagi is focused on her sister's education and rejects all offers of marriage by a well mannered cycle shop owner who intensely loves her. And then the tragedy strikes after Kaveri becomes unconscious after witnessing a ghastly murder of an innocent villager perpetrated by Huliyappa, the village's cruel finance shark. And Nagi has to arrange the finance for her treatment in city after losing out whatever has been collected from the villagers. She approaches Huliyappa (the name has been coined deliberately to link up with the Govina Haadu because Huli means Tiger in Kannada) who agrees to lend her with a condition that she has to marry him. Nagi agrees to this condition and arranges for her sister's operation. She returns to the village with her recuperated sister. She immediately goes to Huliyappa's residence despite being pressurized to by her sister and other well wishers. In a memorable climax, the financier realizes his mistake and realizes being good to others can be so rewarding.
Akka Thangi does not boast of a big star cast. And you don't need those charismatic stars in the film. Award winning actress Shruthi who has won Best actress awards from both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments makes a deep impression with her acting prowess in the role of a elder sister. Rashmi who had impressed so much in her first film Duniya gets another great role in this film. She has struggled hard to make her presence felt in a film that is dominated by strong performances. It is Kishor in the role of Huliyappa who stands out with another strong performance. His voice and body language completely fit in to the role he plays. Sharan, M.N.Lakshmi Devi, Shankar Rao have also done well in the comedy sequences.
V.Manohar's ear catching tunes are another plus point of the film. The famous Govina Haadu has been used in the film with some alterations. And a famous folk song Badavanaadhare Enu Priye written by Sathyanand Patrota is touchingly picturised. And it has been well crooned by director S.Mahendar. The climax song is sure to touch your heart strings.
Akka Thangi is a must see for all movie buffs who like realistic films which also engage them. And the strong native chord and sentimental touch in the film would be immensely liked.
