Pruthvi - Review

A Hard core Puneeth fan that I am, I was awaiting the release of " Pruthvi". Coming from a director like Jacob Verghese who gave us "Savaari" , I defnitely had huge expectations from this one. My curiosity led me to find out a couple of details on the net that it was all about an IAS officer fighting against the Bellary Mining Politics. Uff! I thought, that looked so much like, " That 70's show". I was definitely disheartened. That was not what I expected from a sensible actor like Puneeth. All the Ambarish, Vishnuvardhan & Devraj's of the world had done it already. :( ....

I still decided to watch it for the sake that I have already given a couple of Puneeth movie's a miss, instance Raam ( I didnt want to watch a remake). Thankfully I didnt regret my decision.

Unlike the review from Times of India, I thought that Pruthvi attempted to address a much bigger issue than just fighting against Bellary Mine Politics. I wonder why the reporter who reveiwed the movie didnt see the purpose behind the subject. Issues like Border encroachment, Money lords ruling our state, Young people giving up on education for a job in call centre rather than setting up a strong base for themselves, etc...I guess, we need to wake up about these. What Pruthvi is exactly this...open our eyes towards all these realities. Pruthvi advocates that its not only software & multinational company jobs that is there to success, a government job can also be fascinating. Today many of us are least bothered about what is happening to our state, its individuality & uniqueness. The protagonist's effort in emphasising the social responsibility of every government servant is amazing, " ಸರ್ಕಾರ ನಿಮಗೆ ಏನ್ರೀ ಕಡಿಮೆ ಮಾಡಿದೆ, ನೀವ್ ಸತ್ರೆ ನಿಮ್ ಹೆಂಡತಿಗೆ ಪೆನ್ಶನ್ ಕೂಡ ಕೊಡತ್ತೆ " is a slap on the corrupt officials who give in to bribe to make their future safe & secure. I guess, Media also needed that jolt of realising their social responsibility in the way the hero ridicules that they even telecast a child stuck in the borewell LIVE for 3 days. Above all Puneeth shines as a simple officer doing his duty & not as a star, Thankfully his character is not Stylised , nor does he appear as a hero throughout the movie.

However, my verdict in answer to the reveiw of Times of India. Guys, you need to understand that you have the power to encourage the kind of movies that will be made in the future. Your discouraging reviews for such movies can lead to good movies not being made at all. If this is your yardstick, then upcoming directors will never get an opportunity & moviemakers will have to stick to formula based stuff churning out of sandalwood. Movies like Pruthvi are needed for kannadigas who need to be aware of our current political scenario & realise our contribution to it.
So.... for heaven's sake , can we encourage some movies not because they are Puneeth or Sudeep movies, but for the content and substance.

People verdict:

Heard from people: Many said "Good movie - Puneeth is amazing", some said , " it is like Gangaajal- the one with Ajay Devgan" , " a strong sense of Kaakka Kaakka",... but we needed one for our land.

Verdict on the movie : Not for Puneeth fans but for people who are serious about the message that it carries more than the entertainment quotient. If you understand it, the movie rocks.

Verdict on Puneeth: Great performance...your genuinity/ dedication shows on screen. You prove that you are a Powerstar even with a subtle performance of this sort. Unlike your other movies, you have very few dialogues in the movie but very strong ones. In fact , we are very happy that you are walking on the lines of your father & are trying to give good movies that help create good values, people & society.

Verdict on Parvathi Menon: She is a gift to Kannada screen, I say this with utmost sincerity. We kannadigas should be extremely happy with the kind of movies she has been part of & esply. for learning kannada & dubbing in her own voice. A true mark of a performer. She is superb as a simple, educated house wife of a DC. Both Puneeth & Parvathi make a great pair on screen , portraying a beautiful picture of ideal husband- wife, simple love- support magic on screen.

Verdict on Director: Your honest efforts of making a good movie is seen , but you could have still tried to come out of the Kaakka Kaakka or Gangaajal type of influences. The climax is actually very unconvincing. But, otherwise, good movie. Thanks for not making the songs a commercial aspect, they are as it they should be , soft & subtle blending well with the flow of the movie & not stand alone points.

Finally & Finally:

A word to all kannadigas: Please encourage such movies, else, Puneeth will go back to ಲಾಂಗ್ & ಮಚ್ಚು , Directors like Jacob will be lost, Actresses like Parvathi will have to go back to being an eye candy or end up crying in a family movie.

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