Whenever i think of Puttanna Kanagal(Chitra Brahma of kannada Film Industry), the maverick director of yesteryear kannada films, Shubhamanagala is the first movie which crosses my mind. Yes, I know there are other classics from this distinguished director and they are much better than the movie which i will be talking about. But then, there is something about Shubhamangala which is more appealing to me than any of the others.
This movie is based on the novel of same name from one of the famous kannada women writers Vani. Most of Puttanna's movies are based on some of the famous novels in Kannada literature. So, when puttanna took up vani's novel for his film, he wanted to cast a fresh face as the hero of the film. He chose Srinath for hero's role and Aarthi, a well established actress by then as heroine. Thus began the making of one of the best romantic movies of kannada.
Plot of the film begins when Prabhakara(Srinath) returns to his hometown after many years to look after his father's business. He meets his childhood friend-cum-cousin Hema there. Hema has been brought up as a very strong independent woman by her father. After the initial pranks played by hema on prabhakara, hema's father ask her not to be friend's with prabhakara anymore as his father had cheated hema's family. He asks hema to promise him not to ask any help from prabhakara in future.
After few days, Hema's father dies due to heart attack and people who had loaned him money take over hema's house. Now homeless with her two servants, thimma and mooga, hema tries to find a job on her own for the livelihood. Prabhakara asks hema to move in to his home. Hema agrees to it but on one condition, that she will rent a portion of the home and will pay money for all the services used in that home.
Thus, begins a story where both the characters clash on lot of issues. Somewhere in those clashes start love, though its unspoken. At the end there is a little twist which helps story to finish on a happy note.
As the story is based on novel, content is pretty good. Puttannna being a master storyteller has written the screenplay brilliantly. Each character in the story is well defined. Story flow is lucid and there is never a lull moment anywhere. Camera work is of top rate and puttanna has captured the beauty of Karwar and Mangalore magnificently. Coming to the music, its been composed by one of the legends of kannada cinema Vijay Bhaskar. Each song was a hit and lyrical value of songs are of high quality.
On the acting front both the leads have performed exceptionally well. Puttanna was very good at getting out the required emotions involved with each character. That we can see in each scene. The supporting cast consists of some of the legends such as Shivaram, Ambareesh, Upasane Seetharam, Loknath etc. I have to mention the doctor character portrayed by KS Ashwath. Though its just for couple of minutes, Ashwath has done an excellent job.
By the end of movie, one can only salute the greatness of Puttanna kanagal. The treatment he has given to the movie is wonderful and each frame is an art work in itself. I have watched it for 20 times and each time it feels so new. Though the movie was made in 1975, it has modern feel to it. In the end, only thing running on your mind will be Snehada kadalalli... Nenapina doniyali.. payaniga naanamma......
