Snehaloka

By Vani Nagendrappa

CAST               RAMESH, RAM KUMAR, VINOD RAJ, ANU PRABHAKAR, SHARAN
MUSIC             HAMSALEKHA
DIRECTION   S. MAHINDER
PRODUCER   BHARATI DEVI

While popular cliches on friendship remain, Snehaloka's friends make the Utopian statement - 'a friend in need is a friend indeed' come true. It is a refreshing change for the audiences who are fed up with the same old romances that are being churned out nowadays. S Mahinder, known for his sentimental movies, has given a total entertainer with a new combination. It deals with ever-haunting issues of friendship and love and as to what is of more value.

Ramu, son of a businessman (who is rich enough to construct an engineering college just for his son!) comes to Bangalore to study. He is a state-level tennis champion, but loses to Ramesh in a match just to win his friendship. Eventually they become the closest of friends. Unfortunately, Priya with whom Ramu is in love happens to be Ramesh's sister. When he is just about to reveal his heart to his dearest friend, he comes to know that Ramesh's other sister Vanishree had eloped with his erstwhile friend Vinod Raj. Ramu, respecting friendship more than love, starts distancing himself from Priya. When she questions him, he says that he values friendship more as it has only one face unlike love, which has several. Shocked at Ramu's decision, she attempts suicide. Finally, Shashi Kumar, who is another friend of Ramu, comes to the rescue. It ends in a cinematic way, with a group photo.

Ramesh with his new, boisterous look is good. Vinod Raj and Ram Kumar are also at their best. Comic interludes by Sharan and Michael are enjoyable. Hamsalekha's music is hummable. The Kannada version of Hariharan's Breathless is good.

For a change here, the remake is better than the original. Many changes have been made from its original 'Kannedure Tondrinal' to suit the Kannada audience. If you want to see Kaliyuga's Karna who readily sacrifices his love for friendship, watch Snehaloka.

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