|

|
EDITOR'S PICK
Rating: * and
1/2
In the publicity campaign, the producer of "Zamana" focused on
Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff who not only plays a special role in the film, but
has also dubbed in his own voice. It would be difficult to whole-heartedly
accept his accent, but Jackie`s efforts are commendable.
Though this is Jackie`s second Kannada film after "Care of Foot Path",
it provides more scope for him. He plays a lion-hearted cop who reforms the
underworld hirelings. And his presence is the only saving grace in this
otherwise ordinary film that is marred by a loose script and a predictable
story.
Director Lucky Shankar Adithya shows little promise.
Though the veteran artists have delivered, the newcomers fail to give a credible
performance. Surprisingly, the music of Karthick Raja, son of music maestro
Ilayaraja, disappoints as his compositions are another weak point of the film.
Anil is a software engineer who is enjoying life with his helpful parents. Then
enters college girl Swathi in his life. Once Nitish reciprocates to her
feelings, the story takes quite a few twists. He gets involved with an
underworld don Mooga who is killed in a gang war and police suspects Anil who is
sent to jail.
Meanwhile police officer Ramakanth Thyagi is on a mission to reform rowdies. He
thinks politics and criminal nexus is creating a new breed of crime infested
youngsters. How Anil and Swathi gets united forms rest of the story.
Nitish has to improve a lot, though he has done well in the action sequences.
The director should have worked on hero`s expressions in important sequences.
It seems heroine Akarsha has been completely ignored by the technical team -
both her characterization and performance are weak. Sadhu Kokila`s comedy
sequences are irritating.
Technically and musically the film falls below the existing standards in Kannada
films.
"Zamana" is an average fare and you can find it a little interesting
if you are an ardent Jackie fan.