REVENGE: ACT OF PASSION EXACTING SATISFACTION
Someone once said: ‘Revenge is always sweet; it is the aftertaste that is bitter’. Perhaps! But then, the bitterness too gratifies and satisfies, does it not? “ಸೀತಾರಾಮು” (‘Seetharamu’) is a 1979 Kannada film based on the twin themes of retribution and reincarnation.
Based on a core plot of brain transplant, the romantic drama― a science
fiction fantasy of sorts― was a megahit at the box-office; it proved to be a
musical bonanza too. It was remade in Telugu (Seethe Ramudaithe) and Hindi (Diya
Aur Toofan).
The male protagonist Ramu (Shankar Nag) is an upright and diligent
engineer. His friend, Dr. Dayal (Sundar Krishna Urs) is obsessed with his
research on brain transplantation.
Seetha (Manjula) is Ramu’s romantic pursuit; he gets betrothed to her.
Unfortunately though, Ramu refuses to turn a blind eye to his employer’s
corrupt and crooked ways. His exploits against the notorious gangsters gets him
killed. Revenge no doubt is a powerful motivator. So Seetha then exacts revenge against the villainous murderers.
Director V Somashekhar has used an atypical theme to present an entrancing,
entertaining drama on celluloid. The formulaic, hotchpotch script is a
bit of a letdown. Yet, the surprising twist of destiny lends an innate gravitas
to the story. Music of Chellapilla Sathyam, set to the lyrics of maestro Chi
Udaya Shankar, is remarkable. The
movie is somewhat amateurish on the technical front.
Shankar
Nag in the lead role is dashing; his swag quotient is high as always. Manjula has also acted creditably;
so too the supporting cast of Sundar Krishna Urs, Dinesh, Shakti Prasad,
Prabhakar, Thoogudeepa Srinivas and others.
Josh Billings, the American humorist, mused there is no revenge as
complete as forgiveness. Some may argue there is no deed that gives as much happiness as revenge though. Schadenfreude,
surely!
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