le – First Rank Raju, Producer – Manjunath VK, direction – Naresh Kumar, Music – Kiran Ravindranath, Cinematography = Pravin S, Cast – Gurunanda, Apoorva Gowda, Tanish Kapoor, Ananthnag, Achyuth Kumar, Jai Jagadish, Manadip Rai Sadhi Kokila, Amith and others.

This is a very pertinent subject with precise narration, well enacted and melody intact. First Rank Raju is one of the best films of the recent past because it concerns the education and intelligence required to lead the life.

The film is lengthy but loaded with lot of values. When things are told in sarcastic style, comedy filled it is sure to generate interest. Debutant director Naresh Kumar knows it very well. He has been very well supported by Dolphin Entertainment producer Manjunath and Badarinath.

When a stalwart like Raghavendra Rajakumar disclosed that he would be ambassador for the film FRR, one imagined the strength of this film. A seasoned team work is seen in every frame.

The screenplay, dialogues well measured and right selection of artists makes this FRR a top ranker in the box office.

Raju is well guarded by his parents Achyuthkumar and Sudha Belawadi. The parents compel Raju to secure 100 out of 100 in his subjects. When he is third standard secures 90 plus, the worry increases. Both parents take it up seriously. How Raju shapes up with just one semester to complete his engineering is imaginable. He is book worm, practical knowledge is nil.

In the campus selection when he is asked what is RAM and where is it in the computer Raju is fully exposed on his ‘Buddi’. Raju father throws a challenge to change the whole attitude of his son to the prestigious company head.

So Raju now becomes ‘Raj’…the Showman. In this change over we get to see several developments in Raju. Again parents of Raju are behind him with a huge list of needs for the son. The inside heart of Raju is questioning ‘Raj’ but it becomes inevitable to accept the change. Raju as Raj is changed completely. The mood of Raj is now something else after a mistaken identity in his college campus friends.

The cause what Raj takes up is also interesting. Whether he gets Sanmitha (Apoorva) his lady love and several other questions get very good answer.

The milky white hero Gurunandan has every chance of replacing Diganth in his caliber. He is so good and at places we feel Raghavendra Rajakumar voice similarity in him. He has done a tremendous job indeed. Ananthnag is immaculate, Achyuth Kumar and Sudha Belawadi parents we find in nook and corner caring for children. Achyuth Kumar is sure to get an award for his performance. Jai Jagadish and Manadip Rai are apt. Tanish Kapoor and Chandrasekhar make it very good on screen.

The first winner of this film is music composer Kiran Ravindranath. All the songs are well composed, well placed and well shot. The cameraman Praveen S is superb in his frames, lighting and angles. Editing is also well thought out; dialogues are very delectable at places.

There is no reason for you to miss this film. Go with your family and enjoy. Children have lesson, parents have training from this film.

Score – 5/5