Eradane Maduve Movie Review

Petromax is Back!

“Petromax,” said Anant Nag with a mischievous grin in Golmal Radhakrishna, and a new lexicon was gleefully added to the Kannada tapori language since that date. Now, the evergreen Casanova of Kannada film industry is back with one more Petromax story. This time, he has a wonderful Suhasini and a piping hot Jennifer Kotwal giving him company.

So this must be one heck of a jolly ride, you might say; and the answer is yes and no. Funnily, while the film revolves around Anant Nag, Suhasini and Jennifer Kotwal, all the funny lines are given to Sharan and Tara, and both of them make full use of this rare opportunity. While the lines are funny and you will easily pass time, the story is as old as the petromax itself and that somewhat kills the fun.

The film revolves around a suspended Lokayukta officer (and boy, the film unintentionally has chosen the most happening government profession at this time) who was allegedly caught taking bribes from an item girl (again clandestine references are made towards a former Chief Minister and his rumored linkup with an actress). Out of job and out of favor from his family, Anant Nag listens to the horrible advices of his friend Rangayana Raghu and starts faking an affair with Jennifer Kotwal to drive out his wife out of his land (on which she has built a house). To counter this, his wife Suhasini tries having an affair with Prem (this is awkward in the story and looks awkward on the screen too) and Prem happens to be the boyfriend of her second daughter.

Director Dinesh Babu, who was out of colors for last infinite years, seems to have got some his comic touch back with this film. Although he has picked up that irritating habit of introducing every character in slow motion, it seems the man has dedicated some more of his valuable time for this project and that’s nice to see.

Anant Nag plays his role with a mischievous glint in his eyes as usual and it’s a pleasure watching him. The man romances a girl who is may be less than half his age and he looks perfectly capable of carrying on that romance. His comic timing is immaculate and his acting natural.

Suhasini sizzles in a role tailor made for her. Watch out for her awkward expressions when she tries to flirt with Prem. She tries to be this romantic young woman and at the same time, she is not sure if she should be doing this, and she carries both these emotions with grace and dignity.

Tara, that wonderful actress who was relegated to the ‘soon-to-be-raped’ sister girls a decade ago, plays a significant role in a mainstream commercial cinema after a long time and she hasn’t lost her touch one bit. She has gained weight, but so has acting!

Jennifer Kowal looks hot and that’s all she’s got to do. Sharan has some of the best lines in the film and he delivers them well. Prem has limited possibilities in his role and it would be wrong to say that Rangayana Raghu makes a guest appearance.

Overall, Eradane Maduve doesn’t reach the levels of Golmal Radhakrishna or even Hendtigelbedi, the latter being directed by Dinesh Babu at a time when he hadn’t yet sworn to make one film every 15 days. But still, it is a fun watch, a film you can watch with your family.

Even if it’s a Petromax story!

-Movie Review By Raju Shanbhag

Also See

• Earadane Maduve Photo Gallery