Producer Sandesh Nagaraj boasted that his Kannada film Ravi Shashtry -- a remake of K Bhagyaraj's Idhu Namma Aalu -- was shot in 28 days.
This was surprising because lead actor Ravichandran's films are famous for their well-choreographed songs and dance sequences. Well, the producer's claim shows. The Ravichandran magic is missing in all the songs in Ravi Shashtry. And without good songs, there is nothing positive or novel in the film.
Director M S Rajashekhar has not given any fresh dimension to the film which looks similar to the Tamil original made two decades ago. Bhagyaraj's films had good scripts laced with subtle humour. But a good script needs good execution. Ravi Shashtry fails here.
Another problem is that most of the crucial sequences of Idhu Namma Aalu had already been lifted in Kannada film called Aliya Alla Magala Ganda, starring Jaggesh. So, Ravi Shashtry looks similar to that as well.
In the film, Ravi is a barber's son and circumstances force him to act as a Brahmin. He comes to an Agraharam where a rich and traditional Brahmin and his daughter take a liking to him. Ravi's identity is revealed when his marriage is about to take place with the Brahmin girl. The angry father disowns his daughter. Finally, the father realises that a person should not be judged by the caste he belongs to.
The first half has good comic scenes, thanks to Ravichandran. But the second half is a letdown. Even the climax could have done with a greater impact.
It is a pity that a talented artiste like Sneha is wasted in her first Kannada film. Anant Nag as the Brahmin patriarch has acted well. But it is the Umashri-Karibasavayya combination that has worked the best.
Rajesh Ramanath's music is not catchy.
Ravi Shashtry has a strong message to convey, but it unfortunately ends up being an ordinary film.
Rediff Rating: 
