Review: Kannada film 'Sidlingu'

Film: Sidlingu (Kannada)
Cast: Ramya, Yogesh, Rangayana Raghu, Achyut Kumar
Director: Vijayaprasad
Rating: **/12

Dreams are the first step to success… at least for our Sidlingu. In this Vijayaprasad-directed film, Yogesh, who essays the title role, has a childhood dream of owning a car. From his arch rival in school to his college teacher, our man is ready to befriend anyone and everyone as long as they have a car. He manages to hitch rides with them easily, but it is the incidents that follow thereafter that carry the story forward.

It is in fact this very obsession to buy a car that brings him in contact with Mangala (Ramya), a government school teacher. Does Sidlingu then hit the fast lane with his dream woman and a car?

The title credits promise you a roller coaster ride and the beginning of the film comes as a perfect follow up. While the dialogues enliven the script, cinematography, narration style and Yogesh’s performance succeed in retaining your attention. But just as you start enjoying the film, the slow pace threatens to distract you.

Even though the characters are etching out their parts well, you find the narration dragging. Even the song meant to showcase Yogesh’s stylish dance moves adds to the restlessness. By the end of the film you are left wondering about the graph of the events. Also while the dialogues are entertaining, you do tend to feel a little like you’re overdosing on them.

But what the film can boast of is the performance of the lead pair. Yogesh seems to be outdoing himself with each film. He has worked hard on his body language and taken pains to look different to suit the needs of his character.

Ramya as the deglam Managala does a neat job. She once again proves that she can fit any character to the T. Suman Ranganath looks beautiful and acts very well too. Girija Lokesh and Achyuta appear in small but significant roles.  Anoop Seelin’s music, especially in the song Ellelo oduva manase… is worth a mention.

Sidlingu held all the possibilities of soaring high but it falls short, leaving you asking for more.