Manoharam Review

With its pleasant title and pleasing promos, you would expect an equally pleasing love story to unfold amidst the ravishing picture post card locations of this film. But it is a rude shock to see the ISI moles scheming to destabilize India right in the opening shot, followed by their devastating bomb blasts in Coimbatore and Hyderabad.

I think it doesn't take much time for you to predict that our hero, Jagapati Babu, gets drawn into it. And how? Obviously, he can't be an ISI agent. And so, the only course possible is for him to be indicted. And through a case of mistaken identity - this time there is confusion regarding the number of the apartment - the hero is tried and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment. Of course, he comes out unscathed and exposes the nefarious ISI network. I don't need to tell you specifications of the plot.

But wait, we have to take our hats off to Gunashekhar for managing to make us stick to the seats till the end. The subplot, as is the main plot, resembles Roja, as Laya tries (a la Madhu in Roja) to evade her husband Jagapati Babu. Despite that, Gunashekhar's handling of the whole film was good.

For Jagapati Babu, it is a repeat performance of the role he did in Samudram (a disaster at the box-office), and that includes the stunt scenes in the jail. Laya, as the good wife, excels in her performance. And Prakash Raj, as the CBI officer, carries himself effortlessly. The film also boasts of good cinematography and some interesting situational songs (though not exactly melodious). All said and done, it is a worthwhile visit to the theatre.