This film based on a song of three and half decades is made to that period with no serious sense in the director. The step mother concept in a rural family is outdated on screen. Instead of making it routine the director could have added the list of conditions for those who want to go for second marriage with children from first wife. Today everything is seen in a practical approach. This is what lacking in this film `Nanda Deepa'.
The village bright boy Ramu (Master Manoj) despite of giving all medical help to his mother Shantha (Shruthi) loses the asthmatic mother in the absence of his father Naganna (Devaraj). On his return from business trip Naganna is shocked with the demise of his wife takes care of his son but the village elderly people force Naganna to get marry again. With the entry of step mother Channi (Sanjana) things are as usual. She is very young and in the absence of her husband Naganna she develops intimacy towards a youngster in the village topples the whole life style of Ramu. He is asked to look after cattle feed instead of going to school. He is given all sorts of pain by the step mother. When Ramu sees from his eyes the stranger with his step mother on bed he is fed poison in the food. Ramu follows his dead mother Shantha.
The child actor Manoj has been very convincing but his dialogue delivery is not well measured to his performance. Shruthi coughing most of the time is ill fated mother. There is nothing much for dynamic hero Devaraj.
Two songs of Gururaja Hoskote are lilting and meaningful. Cinematography has captured the mood very well using the natural lighting.
Nothing compelling to watch this movie!
Scoring 4/10
