Ammane Mane Review: Woven with affection

Nikhil Manju’s Ammana Mane, starring Raghavendra Rajkumar, may not exactly fit into the commercial mass entertainer genre, but its content ensures it creates a niche of its own. The film feels like a warm hug that reminds us of the relationship with our mothers. Filled with affectionate moments, the film highlights the importance of loving, and reciprocating love.   

Cast: Raghavendra Rajkumar, Rohini Nagshekar, Sheetal and Manasi Sudhir 

Director: Nikhil Manju

The story revolves around a mother-son relationship, something that has often been explored in Kannada cinema. Rajeeva (Raghavendra Rajkumar) is a partially paralysed boy since childhood, and his clumsy behaviour does not go down well with his father, who after a point loses patience and even leaves home. So, Rajeeva has only his mother (Rohini Nagesh) to turn to, who overcomes every hurdle to raise him to become independent.  

Over the years, Rajeeva grows up to be a PT master in a school and has his own family. With age, his mother starts facing the same issues he faced as a child. Despite his own struggles, he takes care of his mother with help from his wife. But he is tested by his daughter Shive (Sheetal), who puts him in a situation wherein he has to decide between her and his mother. How he faces the circumstances forms the core of Ammana Mane, which also has two subplots – a father who goes the legal way to get his daughter’s admitted into college, and the second, about an inspector who, after his mother's death, realises his negligence towards her.

Bringing Ammana Mane, which is apt for theatre, to the big screen takes courage and director Nikhil has done complete justice to the film. He reinforces the seriousness of a common issue that senior citizens face, including being forced to take shelter in old age homes. 

This film is able to hold the attention of the audience throughout its two-hour long run. The plot drifts through a lot of ups and downs similar to the ones experienced in every middle-class family life.

To the director’s advantage, Raghavendra, who plays the lead, perfectly fits the bill. Given his own health issues, he is able to make his character very relatable. Rajeeva's bonding with his mother, his care for his wife and daughter, and concern towards society connects with the audience. Rohini also stands out in the mother’s character. Sheetal, who plays the daughter also shines. Suchendra Prasad, who plays the judge, and Nikhil Manju as an inspector, are effective in their roles.

With cameraman Swamy Gugaredhodi capturing the moments well, Ammana Mane manages to weave a lovely tale of mother-son bonding and issues faced in today’s middle-class family.