What is the point in shooting in different unexplored locations and dressing up your lead stars in the best of costumes when the story does not have a soul?
Gunavantha, the Kannada film starring Nenapirali Prem and Rekha is a weak effort because of a worthless script. Director Raghuvardhan, who had earlier made two forgettable efforts like Thimmaraayi and Badri has added one more to his list of lacklustre films. Gunavantha may well go down as his worst film despite the presence of an attractive starcast and a dependable technical crew that includes a talented music director like Hamsalekha.
Raghuvardhan has changed his name from Shivaji Rao thinking that a name change will bring him some luck. But he should understand that a mere name change does not guarantee a good film. What is needed is the passion to select a good story and learn from the past mistakes.
The fate of Gunavantha becomes clear from the first reel itself. Guna and Uma are friends who are in love with each other. They witness the shooting down of the brother of mafia don Gold Krishna. The policeman who shoots Gold Krishna's brother warns the youngsters not to reveal anything about the shoot out. Gold Krishna wants to take revenge on Guna. Meanwhile Uma's parents force their daughter to move out and forget her lover. Guna's mother gets killed by Gold Krishna. Finally, Guna takes revenge on Gold Krishna and the others.
Prem has done his best but what can he do when he has to perform in such an insipid film. Rekha refuses to learn anything. She gives the same blank expressions in every scene despite having acted in ten films. Rangayana Raghu gets the credit for the most irritating performance. Even good artists like Avinash and Chitra Shenoy look pathetic.
Gunavantha may well be one of the worst films released in recent times. It is better to avoid it.
Rediff Rating: 
