Thandege Thakka Maga Kannada Movie
Thandege Thakka Maga is the latest addition to the number of remake films that are hitting the screen in Karnataka.The film is a remake of Tamil masterpiece Devar Magan which was scripted by Kamal Hassan and directed by Bharathan.The Tamil original was well entrenched with Tamil nativity and culture, but it had a larger universal appeal also.Director Priyadarshan made its Hindi version adding lot of gloss and visual content in production values. Both the films were hits, but definitely trying to remake it in Kannada had its own attendant risks, as the Tamil and Hindi film had run very well in many centers in Karnataka. And to venture a remake of a classic like Devar Magan which had such legendary artists like Shivaji Ganeshan,Kamal Hassan and Revathi can also be dangerous.But still some Kannada filmmakers who have shown scant respect for original creations will try to grab the remake rights of many successful non-Kannada films. Despite all these constraints and risks, some how Tandege Thakka Maga remains a well made film, mainly because of a good and powerful story and partly because it has been well handled by Director S.Mahendar.
As earlier said, Kamal’s story and script has been the main strength of the film and Mahendar has seen to it that he faithfully follows the narration, except for the sequences which have an extreme native touch. There is one particular sequence where Shivaji Ganeshan explains about the inevitability of the Devars to be violent and he also tells about their lack of education and the reason for the backwardness. But Mahendar has completely omitted these references to the caste, but relates the conflict existing in village to the differences between the two families of brothers.Mahendar has also taken good support from the art director who has created a perfect ambience for the film.The village background looks real and the sets in the climax sequences have perfectly matched to the mood of the film. The locations selected for the film have jelled well with the story of the film.
Another main strength of the film is excellent performances from the lead artists Ambareesh and Upendra who have tried their level best to match the steps of great thespians like Shivaji and Kamal.Srinivasa Murthy and B.V.Radha have also delivered powerful performances.Ashish Vidyarthi who is always theatrical in many of his films has also contributed well as the main villain of the film. Out of the heroines Laila is the best, but some how both the heroines of the film can not match Revathy or Gauthami who had given their best in Devar Magan. For such a well made film, it is the background score of S.A.Raj Kumar which is the real weak link.Three song tunes have been lifted from Devar Magan, but the composition of lyrics are no match to the original.Cameraman Krishna Kumar has excelled in the climax sequences, but the quality could have been much better in some of the sequences.
Thandege Thakka Maga is a well made film with some good performances and a faithful narration of a powerful script.
MOVIE REVIEWS