By V.S. Rajapur
Film: “Zamana”; Cast: Jackie Shroff, Nitish, Akarsha, Sadhu Kokila and others; Director: Lucky Shankar Adithya; Producer: Chethan; Cameraman: Niranjan Babu; Music Director: Karthick Raja; Rating: * and 1/2

In the publicity campaign, the producer of “Zamana” focused on Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff who not only plays a special role in the film, but has also dubbed in his own voice. It would be difficult to whole-heartedly accept his accent, but Jackie’s efforts are commendable.

Though this is Jackie’s second Kannada film after “Care of Foot Path”, it provides more scope for him. He plays a lion-hearted cop who reforms the underworld hirelings. And his presence is the only saving grace in this otherwise ordinary film that is marred by a loose script and a predictable story.

Director Lucky Shankar Adithya shows little promise.

Though the veteran artists have delivered, the newcomers fail to give a credible performance. Surprisingly, the music of Karthick Raja, son of music maestro Ilayaraja, disappoints as his compositions are another weak point of the film.

Anil is a software engineer who is enjoying life with his helpful parents. Then enters college girl Swathi in his life. Once Nitish reciprocates to her feelings, the story takes quite a few twists. He gets involved with an underworld don Mooga who is killed in a gang war and police suspects Anil who is sent to jail.

Meanwhile police officer Ramakanth Thyagi is on a mission to reform rowdies. He thinks politics and criminal nexus is creating a new breed of crime infested youngsters. How Anil and Swathi gets united forms rest of the story.

Nitish has to improve a lot, though he has done well in the action sequences. The director should have worked on hero’s expressions in important sequences.

It seems heroine Akarsha has been completely ignored by the technical team - both her characterization and performance are weak. Sadhu Kokila’s comedy sequences are irritating.

Technically and musically the film falls below the existing standards in Kannada films.

“Zamana” is an average fare and you can find it a little interesting if you are an ardent Jackie fan.