'Aaptha Mithra' tops Kannada boxoffice despite odds

Bangalore, Aug 31 (IANS): Kannada film "Aaptha Mithra" looks set to storm the box office going by the public opinion of the film, and of course the reviews.

1. "Aaptha Mithra": The film has had a good opening after release on a festival day, despite the disturbed atmosphere in Karnataka on account of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti's arrest. The consequent 'bandh' affected collections is some centres. The public and media opinion about the film, however, is at its peak. This may well take the film to big box office success, and the collections in the next few weeks should be watched.

2. "Bhagawan": This is a surprise winner at the box office. The action film with young star Darshan was dismissed in trade circles before its release, but the film is enjoying good audience support. Maybe the fact that there has been no release of non-Kannada language films has helped the film. But it will certainly not have a long run. The collections have already started falling.

3. "Kanti": This Murali and Ramya starrer had a good opening, but did not do very well in the subsequent weeks. But it seems to have gained ground from the sixth week and is a good draw in the B centres now. The censor problems faced by the film have given it good publicity. It may not be surprising if the film completes a hundred days in at least one centre. The songs of the film have become popular on TV channels.

4. "Baa Baaro Rasika": The film has just completed its fifty day-run in major centres like Bangalore and prints of the film are moving fast in suburbs and B centres. Though it has not been as big a success as the small-budget films like 'Chithra' and 'Kushi', it has reaped good profits for the producers. The film has some elements that appeal to the young audience. Its major attraction is actress Ramya Krishna, who has excelled in the role of a woman in love with her younger aged assistant.

5. "Monalisa": The film's hundred days was celebrated recently on a grand scale with leading Kannada stars participating. It is inching towards a 125-day run in Bangalore. The film has made huge profits for its producer and director. who were partners. Director Indrajith Lankesh has now decided to dub the film in Telugu and include some fresh comedy sequences featuring Brahmanandam and Kovai Sarala. Certainly a big hit of the year after Ravichandran's "Malla", the film has Dhyan and Sada in the lead.