Natasaarvabhowma movie review: High on ‘spirit’

Director: Pavan Wadeyar

Cast: Puneeth Rajkumar, Anupama Parameshwaran, Rachita Ram, Ravishankar, Chikkanna, Sadhu Kokila, Achyuth Kumar

While ghosts, devil, spirits and all their counterparts continue to entertain the audience, this one is special for the reason that it haunts none other than Puneeth Rajkumar, who encounters it for the first time in his decades long acting career. However, the rest of it in this one by Pavan Wadeyar revolves around the act of age-old formula - possession and revenge saga. But, the clever and fresh take on it makes it a decent entertainer. It mostly satisfies power star fans who were waiting for their favourite star to return in action for more than a year.

The title of the movie is certainly a dead give away for any sensible audience, as the tale starts to gets seriously possessed. In terms of the plot, it is pegged by a simplest story, which is about a journalist portrayed by Puneeth, who lands in Bengaluru and encounters a corrupt central minister and his accomplice, a lawyer, for a reason.

Like all ghostly films, this one too has a haunted house and the first half runs on a scary comedy, which does makes one laugh at it by the performance of Chikkanna. Unlike the similar scripts, here it is the hero who is possessed. But the twist in the climax, is another surprise element, but only for those who could not relate to the movie title and the ghostly act!

Making has all the essential commercial elements infused with the much talked about dance numbers in the signature style of power star. However, the praising act through dialogues which disconnects with the tale continues to exist in this one too.

It once again heavily rests on the presence and performance of the lead star actor without which the ordinary tale would have fallen flat. While Puneeth shoulders the maximum, the rest is packed with comedy and horror with decent acts by the supporting cast. Rachitha is limited to a couple of scenes and a soothing number, and the debutant Anupama makes the audience notice her short but an effective role. It's another piece of cake for Ravi Shankar.

Though the ordinary does not end up as extraordinary, it certainly satisfies the audience with a decent entertainment and a perfect treat for the die-hard fans of Puneeth Rajkumar. Even the composition by Imman adds musical value to it.