The Kannada film Payana starts on a promising note and ends in a fantastic climax. It has some interesting sequences in the middle too.
Payana is a feel good romantic film made in the Yash Chopra model. Ravi is a cabbie driver working for a travel agency. He lives in a world of dreams where he sees a beautiful and rich young girl wanting to marry him. Kaveri, an NRI engages Ravi as a driver to take her around the tourist spots in the state. Ravi feels that Kaveri is his dream girl sent by God. The long journey delights Kaveri and slowly she comes to know that Ravi loves her. What happens to the desire and dreams of Ravi is revealed in the climax.
Harikrishna's songs have variety and melody. Jnanamurthy does a neat job behind the cameras. Both these technicians should take credit for the excellent picturisation and composition of the songs Manasa Gange and Modada Olage.
Rumaneethu Chowdhary's cute looks will appeal to the youngsters. Silly Lalli Ravishankar electrifies the screen with his dialogue delivery and lively performance.
There are many situations that look predictable and borrowed from old films. With a little bit of editing, the film could have looked a bit more interesting. The so called comedy sequences involving Mandya Ramesh and Bullet Prakash fail to bring in smiles.
Payana is a neat film with good music. Worth a watch.
Rediff Rating: 
