Eega - No fly by night operation

Movie - Eega
Year - 2012
Director - S S Rajamouli
Starring - Sudeep, Samantha, Nani

People are buzzing with excitement over Eega, S S Rajamouli's recently released mega-hit about a a man whose heart that takes wings when he discovers that the love of his life loves him in return.

The only problem is that he only learns this moments away from death, at the hands - or in this case feet - of a cold-blooded psychopathic killer.  The killer is played by Kannada star Sudeep in this, his first entry into Tolly/Kolly film.  Sudeep plays the role masterfully, making us feel his skin crawl every time the bug buzzes into his ear or rubs past his eyes.  His obsession to kill the bug, turns to slow madness as he begins to realize, like we do, that his own death is...in the wings.

Yes, believe it or not, folks, our hero is a computer-generated fly.  He used to be a guy named Nani, played in the first 20 minutes by the actor of the same name, until his untimely death leads to his reincarnation, as an irritating insect hellbent on vengeance.

 

The reason - goes without saying.  Samantha is amazingly convincing and straight-laced in her role as Bindu, an easy-going micro-artist who realizes too late just how much the young man in her life loved her, and how much she loves him.  Can she still find happiness with him in his new avatar?  The fact that she can, and that the audience like it, lends a surreal creepiness to the film that makes our skin crawl.

This is what makes the movie so good.  You would like to say you hate it, especially when you discover that the fly can read and write.  You want to look away at the scenes of gratuitous violence, what to speak of the realistic images of the underside of a bug.  But the special effects are so impressive, the acting so brilliant, and the story so engaging, you will find yourself glued to the movie like a fly to honey - at least until the end, when it takes a leap of faith into the setup for the sequel.

But when it comes to rating this film, I think the "eyes" have it.

Mohan's Measure - * * * *