Monday Apr 06 2009, Bangalore

'Jaaji Mallige': A bad remake!

Genre - Love

Directed by - Anantharaju

Produced by - Anaji Nagaraj and Jayanna

Music by - Sadhu Kokila

Casts - Jayamala, Komal Kumar, Nagashekhar, Bullet Prakash and others

Starring - Ajay, Gauri Munjal

Gone are the days when filmy lovers ran away to save their love or the hero became a Devdas when his Paro ditched him. This is the age wherein a lover approaches a court to settle problems related to his love affair.

'Jaaji Mallige' is the story of a tea seller, Ramu, who sells tea in and around colleges on his bicycle. He falls in love with Uma, a college student. Uma reciprocates his love and promises him that she will always be with him. But, she later realises that she cannot lead a happy life with the poor tea seller and agrees to marry a doctor. Ramu moves the court seeking justice!

'Jaaji Mallige' is a remake of Dhanush starrer 'Devathai Kandein' which did reasonably well at the box office. The Kannada version remains faithful to the original.

The silly comedy in the first half is a major drawback of the film. Ajay Rao in the lead role is pathetic and the female lead Gauri Munjal is uninspiring. The story picks up in only the second half and the climax is interesting.

Komal Kumar stands apart even in the sentimental sequences. Comedy by Nagashekhar and Bullet Prakash is pathetic. Jayamala in a cameo gives a notable performance.

There is nothing technically significant in this film. Sadhu Kokila's songs are borrowed from here and there.