'Rishi' film review - a film starring Shivarajkumar and Vijay Raghavendra directed by Prakash

What should be the ingredients of a successful entertainer - Direction? Presentation? Music? Cinematography? Acting? Or all of them? 'Last one' says Rishi team. Director Prakash who proved himself as a good technician during his debut venture Khushi has hit back again with Rishi. He stands among rare directors who dish out something refreshing every time. Rishi proves that film is a director's canvas. However good the concept or the story may be, unless its presented in a convincing and effective manner, it cant impress the filmgoers. Such is this movie Rishi.

Shivarajkumar and Vijay Raghavendra in Rishi

Shivarajkumar and Vijay Raghavendra in Rishi

As a matter of fact, Rishi does not have an out of the world story. But the way its narrated, its style and the characterization makes it look refreshing. Film starts with Hari (Vijay Raghavendra), a rough college student who does not know who his father is. When his mother too dies, her memory and the mortification by his classmates force him to be a drug edict. But the college trustee Rishi (Shivarajkumar) decides to bring Hari back to normal life. Director Prakash's gripped narration keeps you guessing why Rishi is so affectionate towards Hari. His behaviors look strange when he decides to bring Hari home despite of opposing family members. He sacrifices his love for Hari. But why? Who is this Hari? Story starts revealing only at a later stage… Till then its your turn to keep guessing!

It's a very unique character for Shivarajkumar and he has done his usual best. But its Vijay Raghavendra who surprises you with an astonishing performance. As most of his earlier movies bombed in the box office, he was sidelined among young stars. But Prakash has tapped his hidden potential to show what an actor he is. He is so convincing as a drug edict, as an orphan Shivarajkumar and Sindhu Tolani in Rishi

Shivarajkumar and Sindhu Tolani in Rishi

boy, and a lively human being. New outfits perfectly suites his role in the film. Its not only the two male leads who steal the show but even Sindhu Tolani and Radhika as female leads have played small but effective roles. Another plus of the movie is its music by Gurukiran and perfectly balanced choreography. So are the dialogs by M.S. Ramesh. We cant ignore the camera work by Krishnakumar. After Monalisa, he once again showed his magic. Contribution of supporting artists like Ramakrishna, Rekha, Doddanna, Sumitra, Vinaya Prasad, Kishori Ballal too are worth mentioning. In a nutshell, Rishi has everything on screen that the director desired - from aggression to affection; from sentiment to comedy; from seriousness to frivolousness. It's a cheer joy to watch a classy family entertainer.

Direction: Prakash
Producer: J. Jayamma
Music: Gurukiran
Cinematography: Krishnakumar
Cast: Shivarajkumar, Vijay Raghavendra, Sindhu Tolani, Radhika, Ramakrishna, Doddanna, Sumitra, Rekha, Kishori Ballal, Satyajith etc