SiraSri Review: 'Kokila'
A Rectgular Love Story with Comedy

Film: Kokila
Caption: Hilarious Twists On Simple Story
Rating: 3.25/5
Casting: Rajeev Kanakala, Shiva Balaji, Raja, Saloni, Suhasini, Archana (Veda), Subbbaraya Sharma, MS Narayana, Ramaprabha, Kota Sreenivasa Rao, Surya etc.,
Music: Madhukar
Fights: Ram-Laxman
Lyrics: Bhaskarabhatla, Peddada Murthy
Producer: Ravi Kumar Reddy
Director: Late Konda
Theatrical Release: 13th January 2006

Generally the themes with two heroes and one heroine or one hero and two heroines are termed as ‘Triangular Love Stories’. But here the heroes are three in number, whereas the heroine is only one. So, it should be termed as ‘Rectangular Love Story’.

Although the story appears to be so initially, later the same turns interesting with several twists and turns making the film an interesting flick to watch.

Story:
Kanakala (Rajeev), Abhi (Shiva Balaji) and Rahul (Raja) are three college students who are friends as well as room mates. All the three fall in love with same girl (Saloni) in their college. Each one tries to impress upon her in his style. Kanakala also attempts suicide for his love where Rahul (Raja) sacrifices his love for his friend considering that to be true love. But Abhi (Shiva Balaji) still loves Saloni.

However, Kanakala and Abhi leave for home town and Bangalore on respective urgent calls respectively on a day.

Then Raja tries to bring Saloni and Kanakala close but the latter returns marrying another girl (Suhasini) from his home town. Saloni assumes Shva Balaji to be the one who attempted suicide for her love and keeps dating with him. But Shiva Balaji who returned from Bangalore falls in love with Archana and almost gets engaged to her.

Then how Saloni and Raja (the left out pair) would unite at last is rest of the story.

Performance:
Raja, Rajeev and Shiva Balaji justified their roles efficiently.
Saloni too performed well.
Suhasini has no big role to play but looks good as village house wife.
Archana (Veda) spilled glamour quotient on screen.
Madhukar’s music is trendy and up to the mark.
MS Narayana’s comedy is ok. Late Konda’s narration skill is impressive.

Analysis:
The first half and second half of the film is interesting with naughty twists and turns. The past life element that drives interest puts off eventually. Ali’s presence in the climax in not understood. The film has the capability of winning the applause of all sorts of audiences. But weak publicity is making the film weak in the first week itself. On the other hand, releasing the film amidst other big films in Pongal season is another mistake here. The film would have drawn the attention of audiences if it were released after the Pongal.

However, the film gains oxygen only with the publicity or with the word of mouth slowly.

(SiraSri can be reached at sirasri@gmail.com)