Mooru Guttu Ondu Sullu Ondu Nija (Kannada)

Starring: Ramesh Aravind, Komal Kumar, Nancy Thakkar, Nandini, Madhu Hegde, Sudha Belawadi, Sharan,
Srinivasa Murthy, Mandya Ramesh, Ashalatha, Baby Shreya
Director: Dinesh Babu
Producer: D. Venkatesh Naidu, Rajeev K
Music Dir: Suma Shastry
Lyricist: V. Manohar
Singers: L.N. Shastry
Distributor: Moserbaer
Genre: Comedy

Synopsis
The film tells the story of all that happens in a house over a period of twenty-four hours. The father (Srinivasa Murthy) and mother (Sudha Belawadi) go off on a pilgrimage to Tirupathi, leaving behind their son, Seetharama, known as Sidhu (Komal Kumar), their two grown-up daughters, Ramya and Sowmya, and their twelve-year old daughter, Neethu (Baby Shreya), who is a sleepwalker. Ramya invites her boyfriend, Suresh, to come: Sowmya invites her boyfriend, Nikil, to come: and Sidhi invites his girl friend, Sonu (Nancy Thakkar) to come. The girls ask their boyfriends to come for the night, coming at 10.30 and 10.45 p.m. respectively, and leave a ladder for them to climb up.
However, in the meantime, “Aunty”, their father’s sister (Ashalatha) arrives. She is very deaf, she mishears everything that Sidhu says to her, is offended by what she thinks she hears, and repeatedly slaps him on the face. She is thoroughly unpleasnt, and makes herself a complete nuisance. Sidhu observes that his uncle ran away on his wedding night with her, because he could not put up with the torture.
Later, Sidhu is betting ready for his girl friend, and sings seven words of the song “Kabootar Ja Ja Ja” from the 1989 Hindi film, “Maine Pyar Kiya”. It turns out that his girl friend speaks Hindi, and understands only very few words of Kannada, whereas he speaks Kannada, and understands only a few words of Hindi. Neethu can speak Hindi, so he enlists her help.
When Nikil (who is accident prone) climbs up, he knocks the ladder over, cutting off their means of escape. The boys go to the girl’s rooms. Sonu arrives just after Nikil, by the front door – but as she come in, Neethu goes out the door, sleep-walking. Sidhu runs after her, and brings her back. Sonu goes to Sidhu’s room, but when they start to speak, they immediately have difficulties, because they cannot understand each other. Sidhu goes to Neethu (who is trying to get to sleep) for help in translating.
However, there is no chance for romance, because the doorbell rings. Sidhu goes to the see who it is. It is Appu (Ramesh Aravind), whom he does not know, but Appu knows Sidhu’s name, and says he comes from Sidhu’s father’s native village. He says he is a simple villager, and like “Aunty”, he slaps, but he also hits and spits! He refuses to use the toilets inside the house, and looks for a suitable tree outside instead. He also makes himself a nuisance to everyone – so there is no chance of romance for any of the three couples. Appu bolts the front door from the outside, and then from the inside, and sleeps on a mat beside the door. The girls want to get the boys out, and Sidhu wants to get Sonu out, but there is just no chance, for they will be discovered by Appu or by the sleepwalking Neethu. A hilarious night ensues – but more visitors come. First there is Mangusi, a friend that Siddhu has asked to come and saw the outside padlock so that Sonu can escape, but who is caught and beaten by Appu. Next, in the morning, there is a vacuum-cleaner salesgirl, looking for a sale. Then there is Vasu (Sharan), an old electrician friend of Appu, and finally Sonu’s brothers looking for her. Will the family manage to get their friends out of the house before the parents return? Watch the film for a surprise ending.

Song:
Eddu Baaro Madesha

Released Year: 2009
Running Time: 115 minutes/Colour/Kannada & Hindi

Review
I have just re-watched this delightful comedy film, which is similar in style to the great Whitehall Farces of British Theatre. You’ve read my synopsis. All the characters are superb in this film, but I suppose the honours go to Komal Kumar, Ramesh Aravind and Baby Shreya. Yet to say that is unjust to the rest of the cast, all of whom are excellent in their roles. The one song, a comedy song, is enjoyed by Appu, Aunty and Neethu, but causes great discomfiture to the rest of the cast.

One of the highlights of the story is the difficulty that Sidhu and Sonu have in communicating, because they cannot speak each other’s language. One particular comic misunderstanding is when she asks for what he thinks is the English word “puppy” (young dog) – whereas what she is asking for is a Hindi word for a kiss.

Anyway, the film is a great comedy, but what makes the film a “great” film, and leaves you with a “feel good factor” is the surprise ending. It’s a film you’ll want to watch again and again, particularly when you want a good laugh!

5 stars

Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]