Suryakaanti Movie Review
(2.5/5) All Style!
The lure of reckless freedom offered in the so called ‘commercial films’ is hard to snub away for even those who make sensible cinemas. Director K.M. Chaitanya, who made eyes turn with his sensibly narrated “Aa Dinagalu,” takes the standard Gandhinagar route in his second venture Suryakanthi, and sprinkles it with ‘this is what people ask’ trappings such as gun totting goons, cuddly looking cuties and some astoundingly acrobatic fights set in the alien lands.
But then, whoever told Chaitanya that you can make good commercial potboilers just with style.
The story of Suryakanthi takes its inspiration from Mahesh Babu’s Telugu film Athadu. It’s not a remake, but the shades of Athadu are too dark in Suryakanthi to ignore it as just a coincidence. Rohit (Chetan) is a professional gangster who beats up tons of baddies with his bare hands. He comes to India after he kills one of the most feared dons in the world (You have to see it to believe how easily Chetan kills the ‘most feared don in the world.’) He then lands up in Kanti’s (Regina) house, thanks to a mistaken identity and a bomb blast at the airport. Then, he goes to Kanthi’s grandpa’s (Nasser) house in Belgaum, with an enviable assignment of winning Kanthi’s heart. But his past and an ever laughing Stalin (Ganesh Yadav) catch up with him to say hello and he has to wipe out his past to live happily ever after with his new found love.
The major problem with Suryakanthi is the story which seems to forget its own past after every 15 minutes. For example, Chetan’s trigger happy colleagues talk about their friendship and the work they have done for him in the climax of the film. But no such friendship is shown between these three in the entire film. It’s also not explained how Rohit’s ex-boss Stalin finds the place of his hiding and reaches him there.
Funnily (and thankfully too!) cameraman H.C. Venu seems to have etched out his own course in this film. Like an expert artist creating images on an empty canvas, this talented cinematographer captures the stunning outdoor locations of Uzbekistan and a dilapidated mansion of the north Karnataka (we are told so) with equal élan. Ilayaraja’s soulful tunes and synchronous background music are the perfect comrades for Venu’s camera.
Chetan is among the finest lookers in the business, but the same glowing compliments do not extend to his acting abilities. Regina is adorable but the problem is, she tries too hard to be cute and it looks a bit stretched in the end. Nasser, Ramakrishna and Kishori Ballal are good. Ganesh Yadav dons the mantle of gangster once again and laughs loudly every now and then.
On a whole, Suryakanthi shows flashes of brilliance in parts, but is a let down with a weak script and too much focus on style.
-Movie Review By Raju Shanbhag
Also See
- Suryakaanti Music Review
- Chetan Goes Topless – Suryakanthi Movie Stills – Chetan
- Suryakanthi Movie Stills – Chetan
Hai, Chetan u r so beautiful. I am u r Very very very Big fan I am seaing u r moving A A Dinagalu, Birugali, Suryakant. All film is fantastic. I am waiting for u next movie of Mareyalare. so, tel me when is u r birth day date. please tel me. Any way All the best for u r film carrer. All is successfull in u r life. bye…………………………………… iIt’s Your fan Shivamurthy.S
hi………………. chethan m big big,,,,,,,,,,,fan of urs ,fan of ur eys,smile n ur acting s good but stil work should b put on …
movie very good. Fights, songs and locations are very good. Chetan acting and villan acting is very nice. I will watch once again.
i totally agree with u kumar…
Chetan’s acting in his 3rd film is better than many stars who are doing their 10th or 100th movie…its a matter of fact that even veterans sometimes need improvement….
Inspite of Chetan’s excellent performance, people still speak so much about how he can improve…he’s excelled in emotional scenes, action part, songs, and playing two different characters. couldn’t have done it better…hero heroine thara overacting madidhre, it doesn’t look nice. problem irodhu dialogue, background music alli…illayaraja has given lovely songs but he has not given good feel for the scenes..dialogues can make or break a film…next time Chaitanya has to be careful about these things.
I was one of the organisers of amruthamahotsava…i noticed that people were all praises for Chetan’s dancing skills..he stood out on the stage…don’t know why he has not been given dance numbers in films…he should make sure there are dance numbers in his future films. Please don’t get me wrong…only saying this like a well-wisher..as heroes like him are an asset to KFI. take care! all the best!
super movie saar, chaitanya ge jaikaara haakoona. Chetan swalpa acting kalibeeku, Regina tumbha channage maadidhaale. Adbutha locations haagu madhurawaadha haadugalu, overall movie tumbha channagidhe.
i watched this film 2 times don’t mind watching it again..CHETAN IS AN ALL-ROUNDER HERO. it’s a fact…CHAITANYA HAS TRIED. REGINA IS GOOD TOO.
lets all support kfi by watching good movies like suryakaanti and manasaare.
hi friends,
i went to this movie with lots of expectations because of the combo chaitanya and chetan keeping brilliant “aa dinagalu” and after i came out of the theatre, i just thought you should never any expectations before watching any kannada movie. chaitanya from his unique aa dinagalu changed his way to routine, rotten and mindless kannada movies very soon. this movie is a big let down and huge disappointment. i suppose directors really think kannada audience as very backward or like fools who will watch whatever crap they give. whole movie is a like a torture for a viewer and chetan thinks he’s the stylish ever by just developing 6 packs(suppose to be, i didnt see any). we need a good actor and entertaining movie, not this baqwas.
this movie is outdated(should have come in 80s, then also it would be flopped) and there’s not even a single lighter moment which we can enjoy. chetan has to learn lots and still he is a kid in acting. heroine is cute but she’s helpless. why they are going for non-kannad actors(nasser) when we have talented actors like avinash,rangayan raghu etc to accomplish the role which nasser has done and just by watching his facial exoressions that he doesnt know what is saying. poor guy. i suggest u guys to please avoid this movie and i’m very disappointed.
super movie, different from all the movies that have come out recently from KFI, Chetan is good, regina is also very good. songs are very good.
These people who are from offbeat (art films) background think very lightly about commercial movies. They think if you add few songs, fights, stylish costumes, it’d become a hit commercial movie! But no commercial movie can be a hit, until it has the main ingredient, “entertainment” and making a film with ‘entertainment’ value is not every director’s cup of tea.
i’m going to watch the film one more time only for CHETAN!
Hi Guys
I am not trying to prove here anything.But this is mediocre stuff from chaithanya.This was not what, we awaited for..When one watches the debut movie AD from chaithanya&co and compares with this one, then it is no justice.AD was top class direction,entertainment and a skilled movie.Unlike AD, Suryakanthi lacks an identity.It is difficult to distinguish the genre of SK whether, it is romantic, thriller,action, suspense,adventure or combination?In the end all i can say is the movie is a talent wasted.We have an adorable hero like chethan, a promising actress regina and an excellent director like chaithanya who should deliver to the people’s expectations.But remember, Kannada has a very challenging and distinctive audience which cannot be compared to its counterparts….we need more of shankar nags and puttanas. Hope this mistake can be harvested to bring out a fine movie next time.Good Luck!
Thank you sir. But nija nimmage 3 weeks
adaa melée comment Bari ree…
I loved aa dinagalu but this one is not worth
a watch even once.
the previous person called lotoya wants this film not to do well ansathe….or..the person is an astrologer..eno predict madtidhare…
it’s not a bad film..narration second half nalli swalpa slow ashte…adhre latoya ge yaake ishtu kopa? swalpa meditation madi;-)
3 weeks moviege yenu buildup kodatere?????
Super flop….
It’s a movie that has been superbly made. I just enjoyed it. People if you want to see some great camera work, hear excellent songs, see some great stunts, stunning looks, suryakaanti is a must watch movie. Its money worth spent.
sakkath movie guru, yeen action, yeen locations. Tumbha channagide cinema, yellaru ondu saari noodbeeku! chetan and chaitanya innondu hit chitra needidhaare
It’s a well made film. Great entertainer. Chetan’s performance is brilliant as usual. He rocks in both romance and action too. He’s a very caring and good-natured boy..just like Surya and nothing like Rohith except for his style and cool body language.
We are very proud of Chetan’s Kannada..watching his interviews on TV is very touching.
watched the movie today, it’s very good! Chetan rocks! Songs and action is very good. People should support this kind of good cinema. Hats off chaitanya sir!
chennagidhe cinema…….olle performances……….namma chethu sakkath hero…………………
It looks like one person has written that movie
is good. Don’t worry the real status will
be known in couple of weeks. Big budget
movie will be big loss.
hi chethan sir its a v good film..another great film in kfi…..ur performance is superb…u have acted v well in sentimental scenes in 2nd half…v nice story…..all the v best sir…..tc!!
time to open some people’s eyes..kudos to suryakaanti!
http://entertainment.oneindia.in/kannada/reviews/2010/suryakaanti-review-150110.html
http://thatskannada.oneindia.in/movies/review/2010/01/15-kannada-movie-suryakaanti-review.html
SONGS ARE SUPERB. NICE THRILLER.
LOVELY FILM. LOCATIONS ARE COOL. ACTION IS GREAT. HERO IS COOL. HE ACTS APPROPRIATE FOR THE KILLER’S ROLE AND LATER LOVER’S ROLE. HEROINE IS ALSO GOOD. VERY NICE PAIR:-)OVERALL IT’S A MOVIE LIKE A GOOD BOLLYWOOD FILM..LIKE DHOOM AND RACE WITH A BLEND OF SOUTH INDIA. GOOD MAKING.
great movie, chetan is good, the new actress regina is very promising, overall people should not compare this movie to aa dinagalu, people should enjoy this as a totally new movie. Technicians of this movie should be applauded.
very nice movie, chetan and regina make a good pair, nice songs, good locations and the action is very good in the film. More kannada movies like this will help the kannada film industry. Pls don’t support remakes like ram and porki, we have to support originals like suryakaanti. It’s a good movie
I went in with no expectations to watch this film and came out pleasantly surprised. It is a very nice movie, with melodious songs, good looking actor and actress and nice locations. Chetan is quite good in the role of a contract killer, overall a very nice film to watch.
After watching this movie i feel there is still hope left for KFI in the form of chaitanya, chetan and the whole technical team of Suryakaanti. It’s a well made family entertainer and has all the trappings of sensible commercial cinema. It’s not loud and vulgar like most of the movies from kannada, also technically the film is way ahead of the average kannada movie that releases every week. The story is unique, and the treatment is also quite different, chaitanya is a guy to watch out for and chetan needs to improve his acting abilities, but overall after a long time i watched a kannada movie with my family and came out not feeling ashamed of what i had seen on screen. I think everyone should support this movie by watching it. Don’t believe the review, go watch it and make your own opinion about the movie.
Haha, I like Usha’s logic a lot. In fact, filmmakers should ask Raju to give even lower ratings (the one’s given for films like Malebille, Devru etc, etc.) as according to Usha’s logic, those films will be bigger hits!
In a total rating of 5, giving 2.5 stars shows that the reviewer believes that the movie is average. Usha, take any newspaper and make a list of the movies that were hits in 2009. Most of the movies have received average or above average ratings from this site. That shows this site is unbiased.
nice film…watching it with family again next week..good entertainer…chetan’s here to stay..all-rounder..chaintanya good job once again..
@usha-ha ha ha, very well said…hope this film becomes a hit.
cheers!
Consider a few things – Bellitere gave Police Quarters 3.5 rating. Shishira got 3. Raam got 2.5 and now Suryakanthi 2.5.
Police Quarters sank without a trace. Shishira disappeared. Raam was a hit. The jury is still out on Suryakanthi. Good thing is that the 2.5 rating of Bellitere might actually help the film!
If Suryakanthi is a hit, then everyone might actually apply to Mr Shanbhag to give them a bad review so that the film does well!
subhash n anita, i don’t think u have watched the movie. if u had, then u would agree with me. it’s a GOOD film. period. i would give 3.5 stars. even ram has got 2.5 stars. it’s a hit!
Raju Shanbhag is a great reviewer and his reviews have never let us down. I have watched some movies against his recommendation and have regretted later. Its not fair to blame Raju, just because you are a Chetan fan. He is totally unbiased and supports good cinema..
Going by Madhusudhan’s comments, it seems the whole world is singing praises for Suryakanthi and only Bellitere is saying negative things about the film. Mr. Madhu, here are a few reviews and user comments that will help you open up your eyes
http://www.gandhadagudi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3801&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=180
http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/jan/14/south-kannada-movie-review-suryakanthi.htm
Madhu,
Dont get it personal. The reviewer is right in most cases. The script is a weak point. It has shades of may telugu movies. Just showing chethan’s body and action will not make a movie. Chaitanya needs to get over the hangover from AA DINAGALU. AD had good story and screenplay and good performances. even if you had directed, it would have been hit.
PS: MS Rajashekar directed lots of movies for Rajkumar banner. It was all hit. Think why????? There was team that gave him a good script (All hardwork done). He just replicated on screen with the help of Cameraman.
Script is first, then comes rest.
SuryaKanthi will not be a HIT. It will be like Birugali.
i disagree with a few things. first of all the film was a great watch except for one or two scenes in the second half…
i completely disagree with the chetan’s acting part. he has done justice to his role(plays two characters and yet shines with brilliance)..background score i think it could’ve been better. the script is great. ofcourse there is style..i don’t think all heroes can carry of those looks or style..direction is good.
another interesting observation i made while reading reviews..this review writer comes across highly biased…
there is a para in which he mentions..”The major problem with Suryakanthi is the story which seems to forget its own past after every 15 minutes….”..what nonsense!..watch the film again to understand it right, cuz reviews can’t afford to be misleading
this person might be a good writer but such critics have a problem. after reading this review n a few other reviews here, i feel this reviewer watches a film only to find faults and put it down, to be unique from others. u can be a straight-shitter but how come most of the stuff said is always in contrary to what majority or the mass thinks or says