TITLE - 1944, Producer - Paramesh KR, Direction - Badrinath, Music - Rajesh Ramanath, Cinematography - Badrinath, Cast - Naveen Krishna, Shivani, Shruthi, Suchindra Prasad, Bhavya, Dheeraj Soorya, Kajuwali, Veeresh Belakawadi, Adrushta Nagaraj, Haasan Babu and others

A stage play of veteran comedy actor NS Rao ‘Rotti Runa’ that was based on ‘Ta Ra Su’ Girijavvana Rotti is 72 years old today. It is a happening in 1944. It is brought out on silver screen in 2016.

A humble still photographer Badri alias Badrinath debut direction is no doubt slow paced but it does not miss the contents to keep you glued to seats in the second half.

The actors Naveen Krishna, Shruthi and Suchindra Prasad steal the show in this film ‘1944’. The piquant situation is for ‘padedavva’ and ‘hedadavva’ in this film.

For Duggappa ‘Hedadavva’ Bhavya strikes a lone battle against British rule. She is killed in one shot. When Duggappa comes to see his mother he is arrested shamelessly without even allowing him to do final rites of his mother.

Duggappa imprisoned because his own men waged battle against his ‘Robin Hood’ style. Duggappa now escape from the prison and he lands up in the house of cop. At this place Girijavva show her love for throwing out Britishers from India. She gives complete support to deeply affected Duggappa and becomes ‘padedavva’. How Girijavva covers up Duggappa because he called her as ‘Avva’ is interestingly described.

When cop Suchindraprasad on instructions of his seniors searching for Duggappa. He is shocked to find his wife Girijavva (Shruthi) giving shelter to him.

Duggappa runs away from the house with the pistol of cop. He comes back with ‘Shanthi’ but on his way he is killed by junior cops. Finally Duggappa is laid to rest on the laps of his ‘Padedavva’.

Shivani looks beautiful on screen as admirer of Duggappa. The background score is good. Cinematography is average.

More dialogues against British Empire would have brought some box office results to the film. Yet the film is a good attempt. It showcase how difficult it was to get the freedom in one of the layers.