Sharan's Kannada film, Hani Hani comes as a pleasant surprise. Undoubtedly, audiences still remember how the director messed up his last two films, and it is true that the new film has a candyfloss love story that has already been told on screen numerous times.
Yet the director manages to spring a surprise, and the twists in the second half of the story make the film interesting.
Though the first half moves at a slower pace, Rangayana Raghu's comedy troupe -- and the visually beautiful song sequences -- provide relief. Yet the comedy sequences in the first half end abruptly in a way certain to disappoint the viewers.
The director has also shown a second love track, but that also ends abruptly. The lighting in the interiors of the big bungalow could have been better. Sharan seems to have been influenced by Bharjaatya and Krishna Vamshi in the way he has written the sequences set in the patriarch's house.
Hani Hani stars newcomer Tarun in the lead, alongside Pooja Gandhi who plays the well to-do Ramya. You see only happiness in every frame of her family, because in the movies, obviously joint families are supposed to smile and be happy! But why is it that all the family members are seen together all the time? And all of them such perfect dancers too! Except for one person, all the others are unemployed but lead a rich life. The patriarch's word is final in the family.
Ramya falls in love with her college-mate Rahul, who wants their marriage to be blessed by all the elders as Rahul's parents had gotten married without the consent of their parents, thus antagonizing everyone. Still, Ramya wants to elope. And then the director throws in an interesting emotional twist to the proceedings.
Sharan wins half the battle by getting the best musical tunes from the new music director Chinna. Sharan is ably backed by cameraman M R Seenu who has done good work in capturing the Bangkok and Pattaya visuals.
For a fresh actor, Tarun has performed a major role with ease. Pooja Gandhi sizzles in the glamorous sequences. She has some emotional sequences too, which she carries off very well. Yet the hero of the film is certainly Rangayana Raghu. All the other veteran character artists too have done their work perfectly.
Hani Hani is a positive film that may go down well with the younger audience.
Rediff Rating: 
