Baana Daariyalli

Plot: Two passionate sports personalities Sid and Leela fall in love. But living their dreams takes a different turn with a twist of fate. How does one cope with changes, loss, and immense love is what this film is about.

Review: Sid (Ganesh) and Leela (Rukmini Vasanth) are two sports personalities who excel at their game and aspire to reach the goals they have set for themselves. While Sid is a cricketer, Leela is a swimmer and surfer. Incidentally, it is her love for nature and the environment that brings Sid and Leela together.

The duo fall in love and with the blessings of parents decide to take their relationship to the next level. However, a chance of fate brings in a twist in their tale.

While the first half was all about the duos sports and passion, the second half that includes the bubbly Kadambari (Reeshma Nanaiah) is all about wildlife and loads of adventure.

Baana Daariyalli is a cinematographer's delight - not many Kannada films have got the opportunity to capture the richness of wildlife at Africa's Massai Mara. The reference to the title comes in interesting points in the film and that helps one connect to the story better.

Director Preetam Gubbi makes an impressive comeback with this emotional love story that has been written by cinematographer Preetha Jayaraman. It is also a film that is straight up lead actor Ganesh's alley as it has its share of romance, sentimental scenes and witty dialogues. Full points to Rukmini Vasanth who has apparently learnt and excelled at surfing for this role. Reeshma Nanaiah does well in her bubbly role too. However, it is Rangayana Raghu who wins hands down in the performance department in his portrayal of Leela's father.

While the film could have done with a tighter screenplay, this is definitely a film to catch at the theatres this week. Again, the story is emotional, enough to keep you misty eyed, do be prepared.