'Ganga Cauvery' - another ordinary love triangle(Kannada Film Review)

Film: 'Ganga Cauvery'; Director: Vishnukanth; Cast: Akshay, Mallika Kapoor, Mahi, Tara, Anant Nag, Ramesh Bhat, Roopa Devi and Sharan; Music: K. Kalyan; Rating: **

'Ganga Cauvery' is a love triangle featuring debutant Akshay and two model-turned-actresses Mallika Kapoor and Mahi. The story as such does not have any fresh elements, but what separates the film from the ordinary fare is the brilliant technical work done by veterans like cinematographer H.C. Venu, lyricist-music director K. Kalyan and dialogue writer B.A. Madhu.

The film, however, fails to make a big mark mainly because the narration is not up to the mark and most actors give ordinary performances. Akshay is found wanting in the emotional sequences of the film. It is only veteran actor Anant Nag who has done justice to his part.

Director Vishnukanth has taken on too many responsibilities, but fails on all counts. He seems thoroughly ill-equipped to narrate an ordinary story in an engaging manner. 'Ganga Cauvery' is reduced to being an ordinary film without a soul.

Akshay plays Arjun, a fashion photographer from the picturesque Madikeri region who goes to the Himalayas to capture some photographs of nature. There he meets Ganga who belongs to a village in Uttarakhand. Arjun's interactions with Ganga leads him to promise her marriage, though he is already engaged to childhood friend Kaveri.

Arjun comes to Madikeri to seek his parents nod for marriage with Ganga, but finds that his ill father is fighting for life. And by the climax, audiences will only be relieved that the boredom has finally ended.

While Akshay is unable to show the emotional side of the character, Mahi is impressive as one of the two heroines. Mallika Kapoor just seems to be giggling in most parts.

However, H.C. Venu is brilliant behind camera and the songs shot in the foothills of the Himalayas are truly spectacular. K. Kalyan has written beautiful lyrics for the title song and 'Ambara ambaradaage'.

Despite its many technical high points, 'Ganga Cauvery' turns out to be just another ordinary fare.