Director Indrajith Lankesh, known for his sappy romantic comedies enhanced by peppy numbers and gorgeous locales, introduced Vasundhara Das ( Lankesh Patrike, 2001 ) and Sadha ( Monalisa, 2004 ) to Kannada cinema before directing Deepika Padukone in her debut Aishwarya (2006). His latest film Gowri is a launchpad for his son, Samarjit Lankesh. Though dedicated to Indrajith’s sister Gauri Lankesh , the film has no connection to the activist and journalist who was killed in 2017.
In Gowri, Samarjit is seen in dual role; while the first character is called Raja, the second is named Gowri. The film carefully attempts to showcase him in different avatars, but fails to impress. Raja is first shown flexing his muscles inside a gym; the scene then makes way for the trademark ‘hero-introduction’ song.
A calculated approach makes Indrajith write another story set in a village. Targeted at the rural crowd, this portion shows Gowri as a gifted singer born with hearing impairment. The segment is filled with melodrama as you witness Gowri being an all-rounder as he excels in farming, singing, activism.
.. all the traits are captured in a song.
As a director, Indrajith takes the easy route, perhaps to impress people obsessed with Instagram Reels. The choice of actors for insignificant roles proves this argument; Manju Pavagada, a Bigg Boss winner, is seen in a comical cameo, while Saanya Iyer, who shot to fame with her Bigg Boss stint as well, is the film’s female lead. Nawaz, a well.