Title – Rugged, Producer – A Arun Kumar, Direction – Sri Mahesh Gowda, Music – Abhiman Roy, cinematography – Jai Anand, Cast – Vinod Prabhakar, Chaitra Reddy, Krishna Adiga, Rajesh Nataranga, Naresh Gowda, Deepak Shetty, N Omprakash Rao, Robo Ganesh and others.

The return of ‘Mari Tiger’ from Tyson has cautioned him to remain in limelight and strike in the box office. This is what Vinod Prabhakar is doing in his selection that is backed by good story, screenplay, action sentiment, good songs, love and comedy. What else is required for a commercial cinema – Rugged has all of them in 150 plus minutes narration by Sri Mahesh Gowda in Amma Cine Creations of producer A Arun Kumar.

The people in the midst of forest are vacated by the government policy. All of them are transported to another place where they are struggling to live. In this bunch are Shivu and his four friends. In the city the innocent but strong guts youths take on activities that make them thieves. Knowing pretty well that it is bread earning, Shivu and team support the ill fated people from this robbery. The five in the team headed by Shivu does it with intelligence. They are not caught in the eyes of Haasan police.

Shivu in the meantime is bowled over by the beauty of Nandini (Chaitra Reddy). The love journey is finally an uphill task for the two. The police on the lookout of Shivu traces four of the gang via Nandini. Shivu finally arrives at a very piquant situation. Whether he has been captured by police and his demands are met? You have to watch this film ‘Rugged’.

Dashing Vinod Prabhakar is fast and furious when it comes to action. He is too good in romantic songs – In Ninnade Yochane…Ninnanne Pritisuve….he looks tremendous. So is Chaitra Reddy in her first Kannada film. The Hubballi accent of Kannada from Chaitra Reddy is a treat to hear. She has good fortune ahead.

Among veterans Rajesh Nataranga is fine, Naresh Gowda as cop has that build and screen presence (hero of Once More Kaurava). Krishna Adiga in father role is very good.

Abhiman Roy music is also very engaging like the cinematography of Jai Anand. Two tunes are worth hearing again from this film. Jai Anand has beautifully shots in his camera especially in romantic songs.

Action lovers you cannot miss this ‘Rugged’.