What should be important for youngsters - studies or romance?
Should they go for love or focus on their studies? Director duo Ramesh and
Shankar, well-known writers in Kannada who are known as S.R. Brothers, focus on
these issues in their new directorial venture "P.U.C.", which stands
for Pre University Course.
They have made the film with new artistes and new technicians.
"P.U.C." is a message oriented film. However, in their eagerness, the
directors have given too much importance to engineering and medical courses and
sidelined others. This misplaced belief of the directors comes across as a
negative factor in the film.
S.R. Brothers` directorial debut was "Nanjundi", which had Shivaraj
Kumar in the lead. "Nanjundi" was a village based story and talked
about exploitation of poor peasants by rich landlords. In their second
directorial venture, the brothers have moved to the city.
"P.U.C." tries to warn those youngsters who give more importance to
romance than to studies. But the directors have not succeeded in conveying the
message effectively, though the emotional sequences that shows parents
struggling hard for their children`s education have come out well.
The story revolves around Bhavish, whose parents work hard for his future. His
father, a clerk, is ready to make any sacrifice for his son`s education.
But Bhavish, who fails to get admission in an engineering college, enrols
himself in a P.U.C and lies to his parents that he is studying engineering. Then
he meets Gowri, a medical student and falls in love with her.
After meeting Gowri, he starts ignoring his studies. Gowri too loses interest in
studies.
But after a sequence of events Bhavish realises his mistake and tries to correct
himself.
Newcomer Chethan Chandra and Harshitha Poonachcha have put in lively
performances. Veterans Avinash, Ramakrishna and Vinay Prakash have delivered
strong performances. But Sadhu Kokila`s comedy sequences are repetitive and
cheap.
Raviraj`s music compositions have variety and songs have been shot well. Most of
the songs have been shot in northern Karnataka. Camera work of Suresh Babu is
top class.
"P.U.C." would have delievered its message better if the directors had
avoided cheap gimmicks.