A conflict of discipline and creativity

Sadhu Kokila’s “Mr Theertha” (an 85 per cent remake of Mohanlal-Thilakan starrer “Spadikam”) makes a wonderful case for those seeking a ban on corporal punishment.
Theertha, who is a deft hand with machines is mercilessly caned by his strict mathematics teacher-father (Anant Nag) for neglecting to master the numbers. Considered a failure and the root cause of all mischief in school, Theertha is heartbroken when his father gets his teacher to fail him on purpose. Any wonder then he grows up to be someone who cares little for authority and one who has visited the jail 25 times?

“Theertha” is likeable in portions. Most impressive are the scenes of confrontation between Theertha and his father, leading up to the scene in the hospital one night. Dialogues (Sadhu) and the ex-pressions of seasoned actors Anant Nag and Geetha in these scenes with Sudeep lend that much-needed credibility to the story. Then there is the comedy track involving Sadhu himself - clean (?) humour with a little bit of message to the star-struck fans. The locations are also well utilised. However, only the background score impresses.

Sudeep as the misunderstood, suffering son gives a good account of himself, not straying from his image. Anant Nag and Geetha bring back memories of a time when movies really mattered in daily life.  Sowmya has nothing much to do, though Saloni gets to appeal to the audience through her expressions, smiles and costumes; there is precious little to do.
Doddanna, Avinash and even Rekha are adequate while Neenasam Ashwath and Shobharaj are wasted.