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Magic Ajji is the second digital film to be made in Kannada, the first being Dinesh Babu's Kanakambari (starring top stars like Anu Prabhakar, Vijayalakshmi, Dattatreya and Om Prakash Rao).
The horror film released a year ago and did not fare well. The failure of Kanakambari had a dampening effect on producers who wanted to use this new technique of filmmaking to save money.
Magic Ajji, which was started much earlier than Kanakambari and released a year later, may share its fate if the number of people in the theatre on the first day of its release is any indication.
But, Magic Ajji is a well-made, entertaining film which might appeal to children. Of course, in this age of the Internet and mobile phones, the story of Magic Ajji might also look silly.
Magic Ajji deals with a royal family in which the grandmother wears the pants. One of the sons in the family marries a poor girl, and is disowned by the family.
But he dies, and the grandmother brings his wife and son to the palace. After the Ajji's death, the other sons plot to kill the woman and child. How they get out of the mess forms the rest of the film.
Master Tejas impresses in the film. He is a talent to watch out for.
Kushboo delivers a neat performance in the second half of the film. Sudharani, as a wronged woman, plays her part well. Ramesh Bhat plays the villain's role in the film, in contrast with the usual goody-goody roles he otherwise plays. Mandya Ramesh impresses in a cameo. Karibasavayya overacts.
Director Dinesh Babu scores more points as a photographer than a director. He should have concentrated more on the script, as some lose ends ruin the film's chances of being a complete family entertainer. Aadhi's music is ordinary.