Just Maath Maathalli is Sudeep’s first attempt to make a movie based on an original story after having made a few remakes. And kudos to the director and actor for his earnest effort in making a movie that has a wide appeal and is as fresh as it is original, something that the local audience is not akin to.

Plot:

A chatty Tanu (Ramya) meets Sid aka Siddarth, (Sudeep) under bizarre circumstances, where she mistakes him to be suicidal. As it turns out, it is Sid who has to come to her rescue from goons. With pretence at hand, they spend two days on a railway platform together and take a liking for ach other. Sid lands up at her home and Tanu proposes to him. Sid refuses. The reason for his refusal is his regretful past. Soon he realises his love and goes to Singapore in search of her.

His friend Adi promises to help him find her. Does Sid find Tanu? Do they have a happy ending, is something to watch.


What Worked:


There is innovation in every aspect of the film’s making.

Sudeep’s additional responsibility of writing the story and dialogues for Just Mat Matalli (JMM) in addition to directing and acting is commendable.

The film has some extremely good performances, good music and pleasing photography to its credit.

What didn’t work:

The lack of more flesh to the story means the film is good in parts, while the narrative reaches a peak at times and then takes a hit after some unnecessary plotting lets the narration down.

Ramya is almost absent from the second half of the film. The excessive focus on a few characters slows down the film at places.

Many a times the narration reminds you of already told tales in the Indian cinema, making you feel if the story is original at all?

The script writer (Rajesh) to whom Sid narrates his story is an intrusion in the narrative as well as a spoilsport giving the story away.

Though the film is just a little ove 2 hours, the first half of JMM moves at a snail’s pace.


Performance:

It’s Sudeep and Ramya all the way.

Though there’s not much of Ramya in the latter part of the movie, the actress does a fantastic job of playing the chirpy and bubbly girl next door. Her performance, one of the best in her Sandalwood career certainly adds to the zing of JMM.

Sudeep is his usual good, the ease with which he delivers his dialogues are just perfect for the way JMM is penned. His multiple roles in making JMM, i.e., that of an actor, director and script writer is laudable.

Rajesh is quite impressive and Arun Sagar as Sudeep's friend is good.

To sum it all up, though the movie has its own flaws of a slow pace and at times not so much of an original story, JMM is worth a watch. The film has some freshness to it and is well backed up by Raghu Dixit’s music. Now here’s some good movie that Kicha’s fans can talk about for sometime.