Mandahasa

Director Rajesh R Nair has selected a romantic story with a serious and lively narration in the first half. But the second half is not that convincing as it focuses on how a spirit interacts with a young boy (hero) seeking his help. The spirit is of a dancer who died and wants his girlfriend to recover from depression after his death. Will it go well with the belief of present generation is the question. Armed with a good script, Rajesh R Nair has done an excellent job of narration supported by brilliant camerawork by Santosh Rai Pataje and a couple of lively songs by music director Veer Samarth. While the making is excellent with the first half highlighting the romance between hero and the heroine, the second half is quite different from regular romantic movies with the spirit seeking second hero's help to cure the heroine of depression. One wonders whether people will be charmed by such stories even today when the whole world is looking for fresh ideas. Rohan (Chethan), a dancer in a resort, falls in love with Anjali (Nikki Das), a singer. Rohan dies in an accident leaving Anjali depressed. She suffers from amnesia. Rohan's soul seeks the help of Auditya (Rakesh Adiga) to cure Anjali. Auditya cures her. But there is curious turn to the story when we find that Auditya is responsible for Rohan's death. How and why? While Chethan has done a splendid job as the first hero, Rakesh Adiga shows amazing talent in the climax with powerful dialogue delivery and body language. Nikki Das has done justice to her role. Srinath as heroine's father is gracious.