Monalisa (film)

Monalisa is a 2004 Indian Kannada-language romance film written and directed by Indrajit Lankesh. The film stars Dhyan and Sadha in lead roles. The film's storyline is inspired by Parthiban Kanavu (2003). The film was a blockbuster upon release and also received critical appreciation. It went on to win numerous awards at the Filmfare Awards South and Karnataka State Film Awards for the year 2004. It was also dubbed into Telugu with the same title later that year with a reshot comedy track involving Brahmanandam and Kovai Sarala.

Guest appearances

 * Darshan in the song "Chori Chori"
 * Rekha Vedavyas in the song "Car Car Huduga"
 * Durga Shetty in the song "Chori Chori"
 * Ruchita Prasad as an alcoholic prospective bride

Production
The film is produced by Dushyanth, leader of the Karnataka Youth Congress. Sadha made her Kannada debut with this film. Babji of the Babji-Sandeep music duo changed his name to Valisha.

Soundtrack
The music of the film was composed by Valisha-Sandeep duo. The song "Chori Chori" is inspired from Habibi Dah (Nari Narain) which was sung by Hisham Abbas and Bombay Jayashri.

Reception
A critic from Deccan Herald wrote that "The director has put in a good effort to make the film a mass entertainer through comedy, romance, sentiment and action sequences. The first part is full of comedy and romantic scenes.The narration has a touch of freshness". A critic from indiainfo wrote that "Overall a good film". A critic from Viggy wrote that "Technically, Monalisa is a good movie. Indrajith has cooked the food with right ingredients that is apt for commercial film - is a magnet for young crowd". A critic from indiainfo.com wrote that "Like always Indrajeet Lankesh has placed importance on the story. The story gives a firm foundation to the film. Sometimes it gives you a feeling that we have heard this story before. Yet the story telling style and the screenplay is superb".

Regarding the Telugu dubbed version, Jeevi of Idlebrain.com rated the film 2 $1⁄4$ out of 5 and wrote that "Songs, comedy and stunt sequences act more like speed-breakers to the narration of the story than catalysts of entertainment". A critic from Indiaglitz wrote that "The saving grace is the glitzy production values and the camera work".