Abhinetri review, rating

The most controversial Kannada flick Abhinetri hit theatres today. Before we tell you why the movie is a must watch, let's take a look at the production crew.

Directed by Satish Pradhan

Produced by B. S. Vyjayanthi, Pooja Gandhi

Starring Pooja Gandhi

Music by Mano Murthy

Cinematography K. S. Chandrashekhar

Edited by K. M. Prakash

Production company Pooja Productions

Here's why the movie is a must watch

The film is based on the life of actress Kalpana. Pooja Gandhi essays the role of the yesteryear Kannada actress in the movie. The Kannada actor watched Kalpana's films like Eradu Kanasu, Belli Moda, Gejje Pooje, Kappu Bilupu and Sharapanjara, to get her mannerisms and body language right.The director too interacted with a lot of senior Kannada actors who had worked with Kalpana to get inputs and impressions about the minugu taare.

Shooting spots: Sequences of the film were shot in AVM Studios and the beaches of Chennai, which were the filming locations of the 1970s. The theatre scenes were shot at Gudigeri Basavaraj and Malathi Sudhir Drama companies which still had props from the 1970s including vintage mirrors.

The movie was granted a U/A certificate by the Censor Board which directed the makers to edit 2 scenes and mute 11 dialogues in the movie.

The satellite rights of the film have been bought by Zee Kannada

The film's release was supposed to happen in June last year. However, a plagiarism complaint against the makers of the film delayed it. A Bangalore noveslist Bhagya Krishna murthy alleged that the plot was copied from her book Abhinetriya Antaranga which was published in Mangala Kannada magazine. However, she lost the case.

Next, it was the turn of famous Kannada director Puttanna Kanagal's family to complain saying that Puttanna was shown in bad light in Abhinetri which Satish Pradhan vehemently denied.

Review

According to the first impression reports coming in, the movie so far has opened with a bang. Pooja Gandhi aptly suits the role of yesteryear actress Kalpana. Her mannerisms are quite like the late Kannada actress.

The story of a 'heroine' who hails from a humble background and goes on to become a 'star'. However, the limelight gets to her and what follows is her downfall. Abhinetri reminds you of the Kareena Kapoor-Madhur Bhandarkar Heroine. But this is a subtle version of it with real facts from Minugutaare Kalpana's life. How she was once the most sought after actresses and what made her lose sight of her goal. Attitude is everything in life...this is the bottomline of the movie.

This perhaps could revive Sanjana Gandhi's career. A must watch for those wanting to go down memory lane. Pooja's diction could have been better.

Rating: 3.5/5

Check out what those who watched the film had to say about it on Twitter

Ramya barna as aarthi #abhinetri

— Sandesh Mysore (@SandeshMysore7) January 30, 2015

Kannada s bcmn too much horribl aftr pooja gandhi bcm str #abhinetri

— Sandesh Mysore (@SandeshMysore7) January 30, 2015

Finally she became star dat too vth an.attitude #Abhinetri 3/5

— Sandesh Mysore (@SandeshMysore7) January 30, 2015

Na bande na bande na nodide na nodide... #Abhinetri running time 156 min. U/A

— Shashiprasad S M (@smshashiprasad) January 30, 2015

Na bande na bande na nodide na nodide... #Abhinetri running time 156 min. U/A

— Shashiprasad S M (@smshashiprasad) January 30, 2015

2 songss n 10minzz. Entry f minugutare tp drama cmpny #abhinetri

— Sandesh Mysore (@SandeshMysore7) January 30, 2015

Noo mor proof needed to say ds movie s a trgdy f a legend #abhinetri

— Sandesh Mysore (@SandeshMysore7) January 30, 2015

#Abhinethri desperately waiting for interval

— ಎಸ್ Mayura (@ShyamSPrasad) January 30, 2015

#Abhinetri in #Anupama. First thing that hits you is bleaching powder. 156 minutes U/A

— ಎಸ್ Mayura (@ShyamSPrasad) January 30, 2015

Check out the movie trailer to get a peek into the story