NO SUSPENSE IN THE BANG; ONLY IN ITS ANTICIPATION

Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense, remarked perceptively that drama is but “....life with the dull bits cut out.” And when 'anticipation' is added to drama, it makes for a great suspense thriller.

"ಸಂಯುಕ್ತ" ('Samyuktha'), a 1988 Kannada film, was appreciated in some circles. Based on Kakolu Saroja Rao's novel of the same name, the romantic suspense thriller was a box office hit too.

The somewhat stale plot has a haunted house, where strange things happen predictably; and, people disappear mysteriously. The male protagonist, Shivaraj (Shiva Rajkumar), a young, adventurous man and his two friends agree to stay in the house to unravel the enigma behind the weird occurrences. But, that is not before he gets to romance Devi (Veena) and cavort around with her.

Thanks to some deft inquisitive, investigative effort, Shivaraj and his cohorts crack the case...but, only after several sequences of action, comedy and romance have played out on screen.

Director KN Chandrashekar Sharma has tried his best to keep the audience on edge...and with bated breath! But, he loses the plot. Many compromises with tacky screenplay, not to mention the yoking therein of staple masala ingredients, are the movie's downfall. The musical compositions of Singeetam Srinivasa Rao set to the lyrics of legend, Chi. Udaya Shankar, provide welcome relief. Shankar Ganesh's background score is decent. Editing and camerawork are no great shakes!

Shiva Rajkumar is adequate in his performance. So too, the others, including Ashwath and Sundar Krishna Urs, in lead and supporting roles.

If you gloss over the potpourri narrative, this potboiler is perhaps meant to entertain the masses!

I give it the heave-ho and rate it: 6.5 on 10!


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