by Melvin Roshan Mendonca
for Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (GA / MB)
April 12, 2007
Mangalore: There has been a perception among cine-lovers that Kannada movies have, of late, become nothing but a heady mix of obscenity and crime. No longer is Sandalwood ruled by films that uphold family values, social values or spiritual values. Even the producers and directors rely on 'flesh and blood' for the success of their movies. As said by someone, nothing sells better that flesh and blood in today's world.
But it is also true that the life span of 'flesh and blood' is short. This is the exact reason why Kannada film-lovers had begun staying away from these films during the last few years. A film loaded with risque dialogues, heavy bloodshed, crime and few semi-nude scenes attracted only a few viewers.
Yet producers and directors would not change their track since they did not know how to give something better to the industry. Youngsters were not taking up this job and the experienced ones were racing against time to give good and popular stuff through a family-entertainer. Though the industry suffered losses, no one knew how to set things right.
But the recently-released Kannada movie 'Mungaru Male' (Monsoon Showers) has really ushered in a new hope not only among the Kannada cine-lovers but even in the Kannada film industry, now nicknamed 'Sandalwood'. This film with small-time actors, with perhaps the sole exception of well-known and versatile Anant Nag, has been ruling the box office for about a quarter now.
It is a good sign to see it run successfully not only in northern Karnataka, Bangalore, Mysore and other areas but even in coastal districts where usually even good Kannada movies go unnoticed. Hindi films rule the roost in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts whereas only a small number comes to watch Kannada movies. But Mungaru Male has been a rare exception and it has had a fairly successful run in these districts.
Film producer Adakamaranahalli Krishnappa says that he had not pinned much hopes on this movie and he had invested only to promote the male lead artiste, viz., 'Comedy Time' Ganesh, who hails from his area. But even while investing his money he had clearly instructed the director to avoid obscenity and such dialogues representing double entendre.
But this worked well as people, specially the younger generation, accepted the movie very well. This change-over or reverting to the olden times made all the difference. This has once again proved that people do support clean and decent movies which do not glorify crime or purvey flesh and blood.
As said earlier, excepting for Anant Nag, all faces are new to the big screen. But the melodious songs and creativity of the director Yogaraj Bhat have created kind of magic. Moreover, most of the scenes have been shot in the monsoon rain in and around picturesque Sakleshpur in Hassan and in Kodagu district.
The songs like ‘Anisutide yako indu’, ‘Mungaru maleye…’ and others have caught the imagination of even non-Kannada-speaking people. More importantly, IT people not hailing from the state but based here have responded positively to this movie.
Noted Kannada poet Jayant Kaikini, who has penned 3 songs for the movie, has added weight to the end-product. Only a great poet like him can visualize something like ‘Poorna Chandira raja hakida ninnaya mogava kanda kshana’ (The full moon took leave the moment he saw your face).
Perhaps after 'Ramachari' which was released about 15 years ago, 'Mungaru Male' is the only movie to have impressed this coastal region to larger extent. ‘Central cinema-house in the heart of the city recently celebrated the 100 days of the screening of the movie.
This is no mean an achievement for the director and the producer who too are relatively new to the industry. Sources say that the movie has already earned Rs 25 crore. However, even higher figures may soon be touched, given the hype and craze the movie has created among the masses.
It really augurs well for Sandalwood that people are not averse to Kannada movies. They stay away from movies which glorify crime pr to gimmicks of sex and cheap marketing strategies.
‘Mungaru maleye, enu ninna hanigala leele…!'.. (Monsoon showers, what are the wonders of your drops...)
Yes! Mungaru Male has made the difference. Hope its magic spell would linger and inspire many more to offer better movies to Kannada movie buffs in the coming years.
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