In the debut direction Jayatheertha has utilized the skill by crafting an engaging cinema but it is protracted. At least half an hour he could have reduced the film to make it quick and crisp. As a matter of fact he has not done something extra ordinary. In the prevailing conditions of Kannada cinema his film is comparatively better for the struggle seen on the screen.
In two tracks the film `Olave Mandhara' moves consuming more time. Jayatheertha has got everything from first time producer Govindaraju and the technical plus acting department provided admirable support to his thoughts.
In the first track is the young and energetic Sriki (Shrikanth - son of producer Govindaraju) who goes running to Assam from Bangalore (that is beyond the expectations) to meet his lover Prithi (Akanksha). The travel is takes believing his legs the people he meet the encouragement he gets in reaching thousands of miles makes this a Pukka Indian cinema.
On the other side is an aged couple Rathna and Nanji (Rangayana Raghu and Veena Sunder) Rathna is taking his handicap wife Nanji for Kashi and Varanasi by a cart wheel. This is once again beyond imagination!
Whether the young lovers are happily united and what happened to the old couple is the end part of the film. The audience would feel the experience of different culture and tradition on silver screen.
The episode of Dasharath Manji and Phalguni Devi discovered for the first time on Indian screen deserves full appreciation. Dasharath Manji taking 22 years to demolish the mountain to make a path after his wife death to help the tribal get civilized attention is a touching tale explained in the film.
Shrikanth in his first attempt on silver screen has the ability and strength. He is not nervous and dialogue delivery is convincing. Only drawback is his hairstyle. Akanksha has the equally good strength. She looks very pretty on the screen and chiseled well she could reach the level of Smitha Patil the great Indian actress.
Rangayana Raghu walks away with courtesy from audience whenever he appears on the screen. Veena sunder is apt. Nazar is wasted.
Deva the melody king of South India in his come back to Kannada gives four melodious tunes. The duets and nature song are superb.
Another debutant in cinematography Ravikumar Sana has given his best. The climax shot he catches in his lens shakes any stony heart. Ravikumar traveling throughout gives a good natural visuals to the eyes.
`Olave Mandhara' is worth watching once!
Score - 7/10
