A KANNADA LAUGH RIOT-FOR A CHANGE. Review on Rama Bhama Shama Movie

Kamal Haasan returns to Kannada cinema after a gap of 18 years with ''Rama Shama Bhama''. And he comes out with flying colours in a role tailor-made for him. The film also marks a good beginning for actor Ramesh Arvind in his journey as a director. His creative remake of Tamil hit ''Sathi Leelavathi'', produced 15 years ago, proves a laugh riot and a film for wholesome family consumption. The story is about the seven-year itch of a happily married man, who starts looking out for fresh romantic adventure. His family members come together to cope with the situation and teach him a lesson. All ends well with the intervention of a good doctor, an old friend of the erring hero. In the Kannada films, Kamal and Ramesh play the same roles as in the Tamil original, but other artistes have been changed. The director also makes imaginative changes in the script. ''Sathi Leelavathi'' was made in the pre-email and pre-mobile age. The new script has sequences featuring these new communication tools, which serve new dramatic situations. Kamal proves again his flair for comedy. The film stands out in comparison with Kamal's best films in the genre like ''Tenali'', ''Avvai Shanmughi'', ''Panchathanthiram'' and even ''Sathi Leelavathi''. Kamal's Hubli-accent Kannada keeps the audience in splits. He has also sung a catchy song. Among the women, Oorvashi and Shruthi have done their best. Shruthi is exceptional in the climax sequences. Bangalore based model-cum-actress Daisy Bopanna, who recently acted in Hindi film ''Garam Masala'', oozes glamour. On the technical side, the film has some exceptional work by cameraman P.K.H. Doss. ''Rama Shama Bhama'' guarantees entertainment for every one of its racy 150 minutes.