Auto Raja

My review: Auto Raja

After a spate of not so successful movies to his credits in the recent past Ganesh has tried to resurrect his career with generous dose of name and following that Shankar Nag enjoys among the Kannada masses with his latest movie "Auto Raja". For the starters name of the movie is inspired by the popular Shankar Nag movie of yesteryear. Movie has an animated Shankar Nag making appearance in couple of scenes though the relevancy of the same leaves a lot to be desired. And to add bit more spice protagonist takes up the role of a video jockey who inspires people mimicking Shankar Nag on live radio. 

Movie starts on a promisingly. What could have been a cute little love story, movie visits many needless terrains and twists to leave the viewers exasperated by the time the movie ends. Director could have done very well to avoid all the melodrama in the end but after a point it seems that the writer became clueless of what has happened and where the story is leading to. As with most of the love stories here too misunderstanding between the lead pair leads to love from the hero but a career oriented heroine fails to take notice of it. But later numerous other misunderstandings and a shabbily written antagonistic group spoil the movie to the brink of torture by the time movie goes into it's last leg.

Ganesh has tried his level best to get into a mass role of a auto driver but somehow he fails to pass muster. There are numerous references to his old movies in addition to Shankar Nag's, most of these look forced in and contrived. He is sincere in the sentimental sequences. Bhama looks gorgeous and has done her part with conviction and utmost sincerity. However poor writing has led to her character's downfall. Heard from her interview that she did that glamorous song sequence because it was vital for the script. One wonder what significance it had with the story. It looks all the more forced into the narrative with the song jumping in from no where into the main story.  Deepika Kamaiah is okay in the limited scope on offer. Comedy sequences led by Sadhu Kokila don't tickle the funny bones.

Main attraction of the movie is its music and Arjun Janya has done a fabulous job. "Node node" is a hum worthy melody.

Movie's technical values are average. Manjunath Nayak's cinematography attracts one's attention only in the song sequences.

Uday Prakash's writing had let him down this time inspite of having the popular Shankar Nag to his aid. 

On the whole, "Auto Raja" fails to live up to the initial promise it shows.

Bottomline: Boring melodrama.

2/5