THE FINE LINE BETWEEN LOVE AND LUNACY

Someone said that there is always madness in love. Little wonder, then, that lunacy drives lovers to lie…and, to commit crime too. But, what if the love is infatuation, or, unrequited attraction, a fixation?

ಅಮೃತವರ್ಷಿಣಿ” (‘Amruthavarshini’, which literally means, ‘One who Showers the Elixir of Immortality’) is a 1997 Kannada romantic drama, which won widespread critical admiration and received a slew of awards. The film was a musical blockbuster too.

A commercial success, the flick was remade in Malayalam (‘Mazhavillu’); it was dubbed into Tamil (‘Uyirinum Melaaga’) and Telugu (‘Amruthavarshini’).

Hemanth (Sharath Babu), who works for an advertising agency, is married happily to Veena (Suhasini). One day, Abhishek Bharadwaj (Ramesh Aravind), a poet and Hemanth's childhood friend, visits them. Abhishek is depressed due to the tragic death of his fiancée, Shruthi (Nivedita Jain). Veena bears a freaky, uncanny resemblance to Shruthi; so, Abhishek begins to love Shruthi secretly.

On a trip for an ad-shoot, Hemanth dies unfortunately, which paves the way for Abhishek to woo Veena. Shruthi too seems to reciprocate the romantic overtures. So, do the two get to consummate their matrimonial alliance?

That is the rest of the romantic drama, with its twists leading to a startling climax.

Dinesh Baboo’s blue-chip direction is a delight; he has deftly lent a certain tender touch to the story-telling…the satiny feel was a must for the dreamy, delicate drama that unfolds in the narrative. His profuse prowess in cinematography is apparent too.

Deva’s original score is soft, soothing. The songs of the movie have lilting tunes; little wonder, then, that they are all evergreen classics!

Ramesh Aravind portrayal of the negative undertones in his role is indeed COMMENDABLE. Suhasini and Sharath Babu are equally good. Tara, Ramakrishna and the others support well; so too, Nivedita Jain in her cameo.  

Ralph Waldo Emerson had observed: “Desire is possibility seeking expression.” Perhaps…but, at times, desire only leads to depression!

I rate this romantic drama: 8.0 on 10!

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