Natasaarvabhowma Review: An out-and-out Puneeth Rajkumar show

Pavan Wadeyar’s Natasaarvabhowma is a battleground of emotions, moulded cleverly, chiseled with thoughtfulness, and embellished with anger, laughter, action, love, fear, and the supernatural. It is Puneeth Rajkumar's attempt at a different subject, and a successful one at that.

Cast: Puneeth Rajkumar, Anupama Parameswaran, Rachita Ram, Ravi Shankar
Director: Pavan Wadeyar

A revenge drama that relies highly on its screenplay, the film is about Gagan Dixit (Puneeth Rajkumar), a photojournalist working in Kolkata. He lands up in Bengaluru on a mission, and along with his friend, Keshav (Chikkanna) rents a place, which according to the neighborhood is a haunted house, because a girl committed suicide there.

When Gagan loses the amulet tied by his father, which protected him from the spirits. he gets possessed and ends up thrashing certain individuals (a central minister, and a criminal lawyer). Will Gagan be successful in his mission? Will he be able to prove that the violence was the spirit's work? The answers to these questions form the rest of Natasaarvabhowma.

Pavan's trump card is Puneeth, and he makes no mistakes with the hero's characterisation. Even a couple of properties (amulet, spectacles worn by Puneeth, etc) are handled cleverly and are well placed in the film.

Though the writing does have its flaws, for example, the pacing, or the presence of cliched scenes, an all-round show by Puneeth Rajkumar gives full justification to the title. His acting prowess takes another leap with Natasaarvabhowma. An energetic performance, the highlight is indeed his split personality portrayal. An extra bonus is his stylish dance moves and credit for this should also go to the choreographers Johnny Master and Bhushan.  

Anupama Parameshwaran puts up an impressive show as a young lawyer, and Rachita Ram, as a manager working at a mobile showroom, helps to connect the dots in the story. Chikkanna handles the comedy sequences with elan, and so does Sadhu Kokila with his limited presence. Ravi Shankar and Prabhakar are well cast as the antagonists, and senior actor Saroja Devi's short role adds a sweet sense of nostalgia.

The action choreography by Peter Hein and music by D Imman sit well with the film, and cameraman Vaidy gives the film a colourful look.

But Natasaarvabhowma is Puneeth's show out-and-out. He not only gets out of his regular formulaic characters with this film, but also makes sure he provides all the entertainment his die-hard fans usually look forward to from him.