Raj Vishnu movie review: The digital avatar, nothing more!

Cast: Sharan, Vaibhavi Shandilya, Chikkanna, Loki, Sadhu Kokila, Suchendra Prasad, Srinivas Murthy
Director: K Madesh
Rating: 2 stars

In a quirk of fate, the leading Sandalwood actors for 2017 are legendary actors late Dr Rajkumar and late Dr Vishnuvardhan! The trend of casting them “digitally” in inspiring roles or having their names associated with the film titles is what the year has been about. While some films did justice to their “special” avatars, many have been very ordinary just to grab eyeballs. Raj Vishnu, a remake of a Tamil film, is no exception to this. The title refers to both the legendary actors, and that apart, it is a cliched tale involving Sharan and Chikkanna, who return after their previous hit film  Adyaksha. They try hard to strike a chord, with the same old repetitive mannerisms, and slapstick comedy.

Sharan, plays the stereotypical role of an irresponsible man who loafs around with friends. He falls in love with a girl, and this of course, is followed by songs to showcase Sharan’s dancing skills. The rest of the escapades are filled with stereotypical humour and that predictable happy ending. This time, the music scored by Arjun Janya spares the audience as there are no songs relating to alcohol consumption and drunkards, thankfully.

Of the very few notable mentions is the beautiful Mumbaikar Vaibhavi Shandilya in the lead. The film begins with the antagonist hatching a plan to kill the entire family of Raj Vishnu, and a flashback that last two-and-a-half hours  ensues, with lacklustre drama and comedy. Though fans of Sharan, Chikkanna and Sadhu Kokila might enjoy these recurring acts, the rest of the audience wishes for the “end,” that does not come too soon.