Director: V S Reddy

Cast: Shilpa Shetty, Shivrajkumar and Laya

Music: Koti

This is a film on the trials and tribulations faced by a rape victim. It succeeds in that the film proceeds on a fairly even keel and does not veer away from the subject. The saga starts when Shanthi (Laya) saves a person who is almost beaten to death by a ruffian. She does not stop there, but also has the gumption to give evidence against him, as an eyewitness to the crime. In the process, she meets an industrialist Anand (Shivrajkumar), who eventually helps her get a job.

The infuriated ruffian retaliates by asking his brother to rape Shanthi. The news spreads like wildfire, and soon, Shanthi is disowned by her own family and friends. Concern for the marriage of his other two daughters makes him drive her out of home. Predictably, Anand comes to her rescue, and she seeks refuge in his house. Anand, incidentally, has also given sanctuary to his father's two illegitimate children. Shanthi longs for a family, and soon assumes the role of a mother to the two of them. Anand falls in love with Shanthi and asks her to marry him. Shanthi refuses to budge, thinking herself undeserving, but Anand is firm. Meanwhile, Anand's cousin Preethi (Shilpa Shetty) lands on the scene from America. He foils her attempts to woo him into marriage. Suspecting Shanthi to be the reason behind his refusal, Anand's mother lashes out at her, branding her as immoral and greedy. Shanthi does not want to create any trouble, and slinks away from the scene. Anand, who is unaware of the confrontation between Shanthi and his mother, is heart-broken, and, in a weak moment, decides to marry Preethi. Shanthi's friend steps in to clear the air in the end. And if you think the plot sounds familiar, you are right! The film is a remake of the Hindi weepie, Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai, which, in turn, was borrowed from the original Telugu film, Pelli Cheskundam Raa.

Performance - Shivrajkumar excels in his role and Laya matches him, score for score.

Shilpa Shetty gives a very fine performance.

The director does not even start off on a clean state, and deserves very little of the credit pie. The film is held together by its novel plot and performances.