MLA Review: A showcase for Pratham that tests our patience

MLA had no dearth of publicity as it marks Bigg Boss Kannada-fame Pratham's leap into the big screen. But the film is let down by director Manju Maurya’s over use of the actor's ‘patented’ trademarks like 'Naan Kandisthini', ‘I love you, you must love me’, 'Naanu nimma huduga, Ole Huduga', 'Melagi Kanandiga', etc. He seems to have been more focused on the hero’s image than the film as a whole.

Cast: Pratham, Sonal Monteiro, Rekha, Kuri Pratap
Director: Manju Maurya

This exasperating film revolves around Pratham (Pratham), a common man known for his social services. He gets into a faceoff with MLA Rajeshwari (Rekha of Sparsha fame). Election time arrives and a situation arises where Rajeshwari challenges Pratham to contest in the election and win at least 100 votes.

Fortunately, the public, aware of Pratham’s social services, vote for him. After he turns MLA, will he be able to manage the hot seat and face all the hurdles that come with the job? Pratham again locks horns with Rajeshwari when he falls in love with her daughter (Sonal Monteiro). Will he win over Rajeshwari and convince her to accept their love? These two questions form two parallel stories and Pratham is joined by his four friends in his journey in both these stories.

If little effort and creativity were put into the story, this film could have been elevated easily. But director Manju’s only intention seems to be to lift Pratham up, and consequently, MLA ends up being a very forgettable film. We can only be thankful that Pratham has decided to quit films after this. If he changes his mind, he really needs to learn to act before his next venture, if any come his way, that is.

The sidekicks played by various comedy actors, like Kuri Pratap, Rajashekar, Bus Kumar, Navarasa Ramakrishna, Victory Vasu, Naveen D Padil and Killer Venkatesh, try to save the audience from being tortured by Pratham alone, and succeed to an extent.

Sonal Monteiro, in her first Kannada outing, is not given much scope to act. Rekha has tried to justify the negative role given to her, but she needs a stronger screen presence. HM Revanna, a minister in real life, turns actor with an extended cameo in this film. 

Overall, MLA is strictly for those few who like everything about Pratham and his high-pitched dialogues. The rest had best avoid this one.