Cinema weds politics

After an extravagant debut, Nikhil Kumar, the son of the present Chief Minister of Karnataka HD Kumaraswamy (who is ready to plunge into active politics by contesting in the upcoming general elections) returns to the silver screen with an entertaining ‘agenda.’

Produced under their home banner Channambika Films, the movie is an attempt to further build up his image. It churns along the backdrop of a family drama which is high on the dynamics of a father-son relationship and their goodwill towards an agrarian community.

Insofar as the technical aspects of the filmmaking is concerned, there is nothing but very ordinary scenes shot with added grandeur and colour.

Add a sentimental family drama, and mix it with a love story which obviously comes with a couple of songs and fights to showcase the actor’s ability to knock off dozens of baddies at ease, and senseless humour, the end product makes Seetharama Kalyana somewhat of an over-hyped film. There is also a crucial ingredient —  to build a dam in an area which is largely plain (bayalu seeme) but there is no mention of the river on which the dam is being built.

Interspersed with situations where the son praises his father and vice versa, apart from being a good son, the protagonist is predictably a good lover too and is a binding factor for two best friends who are torn apart due to an insider’s evil schemes.

The romantic plot is boring as there is nothing new to fall in love with, and the only positive of this overstretched drama are the performances of the main support cast. Finally, the mole in the family is revealed and the dam is built for the farmers. The end.

Movie: Seetharama Kalyana
Director: A Harsha
Cast: Nikhil Kumar, Rachita Ram, Ravishankar, Sarathkumar, Madhoo, Bhagyashree, Chikkanna, Nayana, Sanjay Kapoor
Rating: **