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Auto Shankar(U)

B.S. Srivani

Kannada:( Santhosh, Pramod, Uma) Cast: Upendra, Shilpa Shetty, Radhika Director: D Rajendra Babu

Auto Shankar is the latest offering by producer Ramu with D Rajendra Babu at the helm. The film depicts life's 'reality', especially that of people who belong to the lower middle class.

These people are under the control of Baddi Kaalamma (Hyderabad Shakuntala), who gives loans to meet all their needs and has no scruples about skinning them alive if they default payment,.

Her daughter Maya (Shilpa Shetty) is no better. The mother -daughter duo's reign of terror is such that not even the arm of law can reach them.

During one of her 'recovery rounds' Maya comes across Auto Shankar (Upendra), an honest, do -good rickshaw driver, who not only pays back her money but also teaches her a lesson.

But, the money which Shankar paid up was meant for his sister's ( Sudharani) marriage to a nice man (Gurukiran). But Shankar's father (Srinivasmurthy) assures him that he will take care of the expenses. A failed chit fund forces him to knock the doors of Kaalamma. The marriage is performed and all is well for a few months when the collectors come calling. Maya wants to pay back Shankar all the 'humiliations' he has heaped on her. Shankar in true filmi fashion rescues his sister single-handed.

Maya is so furious that she sets the entire colony on fire and then offers loan to the hapless people to start life afresh.

But there is a condition -Shankar must bear the responsibility for all the loans and must pay back in a month. If he fails, he must become Maya's lifelong slave.

Shankar agrees and Maya starts fantasising about tormenting him when she finds herself outwitted by Shankar and law.

She sets out to kill him but is captured and kept as a slave in the colony by Shankar. Kaalamma tries in vain to find her. The story takes many twists and turns and Maya realises that she is not Kaalamma's daughter but of a poor couple (Avinash and Tara). Maya also realises the value of hunger.

Ajaykumar has written an 'original' screenplay which is heavily influenced by Telugu movies -even the scenes reek of Telugu overtones.

It is sad to see a director of Rajndra Babu's calibre picturising 'reality' in such a crude manner. Shilpa Shetty dresses like she does not belong to the mileu and Upendra revels in his role. The songs are beautifully picturised and it is evident that Ramu has spared no expense to turn out a lavish production. Ms Shetty’s acting skills are overshadowed by her skin show. Music by Gurukiran is catchy -a couple of songs are already a rage now.

Give us something better and original, Mr Babu.