Title – Sarala Subba Rao, Producer – Lohith Nanjundayya of Riyan Creations, Director – Manju Swaraj, Music – Ajaneesh Lokanath, Cinematography – Pradeep Kumar, Cast – Krishna Ajay Rao, Misha Narang, Rangayana Raghu, Veena Sunder, Ramakrishna, Vijay Chendur, Nata Sri, Raghu Ramanakoppa, Chitkala Biradar, Sri, Rishika Naik and others.
One of the top novelists of Kannada literature, Triveni’s novel Vasantha Gana, written with the backdrop of the Indo-Pak war in 1971, is now on the silver screen by talented director Manju Swaraj with an equally talented team of actors and technicians.
Although it is set in 1971, reflecting the war’s effect on people’s lives and how it scattered social life, the theme of this film revolves around the family life of Sarala and Subba Rao. No doubt, the feel of the film is good and serene throughout. The film does not disturb viewers till the interval point, and what unfolds later makes it a good family watch.
Manju Swaraj has taken ample care in bringing a period cinema to life. He has not focused on the war situations but instead concentrates on the war in human minds, portrayed through the two lead actors, Krishna Ajay Rao and Misha Narang. For the old-day family audience, Sarala Subba Rao is a best watch. Those who are now stuck to the small screen would prefer to watch this kind of cinema. However, for the competitive Gen Z era, more care and affection were needed from the film team.
The excess portion of care and affection shown by Subba Rao toward his wife Sarala takes up too much screen time in the 139 minutes of narration. In fact, the tragic portion of the novel is shifted to the parts featuring Rangayana Raghu and Veena Sunder. The portions of Krishna Ajay Rao and Misha Narang end on a happy note.
The enormous care shown by Subba Rao toward his wife becomes a very heavy portion of the film. It is so excessive that the pregnant Sarala consumes too much and could even be called an “Eating Star.” What happens to Sarala at the time of delivery and the subsequent emotions wrap up the film Sarala Subba Rao.
It is a cakewalk for Krishna Ajay Rao, but the cream of the cake is grabbed by Misha Narang. She is, in fact, a junior Madhubala. Her innocence, screen presence, and looks are a big bonanza for the film. The portions featuring Rangayana Raghu and Veena Sunder are heart-touching.
Chitkala Biradar as Subba Rao’s mother is apt. The comedy portions by Vijay Chendur, Raghu Ramanakoppa, and the college attendant are admirable. The performance of veteran actor Ramakrishna reminds us of the reading of famous novelist Dr. Anupama Niranjana’s book Taayi Matthu Magu.
Ajaneesh Lokanath has offered two lovely tunes, and the background score is set well to the 70s era of music. The properties of the yesteryears could have been taken better care of.
