Navodaya' CHOTA JADUGAR (3-D) is India's first 3-D movie to be shot in New York. It tells the story of a child, a dog, their friendship and magic.

Indrajith [Suraj Balajee] is an aspiring magician being trained by his magician grand-father Acharya [S.P. Balasubramaniam]. Much to Indrajith's dismay, his father Krishna doesn't approve of his son's passion for magic and takes Indrajith with him to the U.S.

Unable to tolerate the separation from his grand-father, Indrajith flees his home in New York. The rest of the story is all about his attempts to reach his grand-father with the help of a few dogs and a couple of friends in the U.S.

The makers have tried to incorporate everything in the flick to woo youngsters to the theatres - be it magic, visual effects, dog shows and stunts by children.

The best thing about the film is that it encapsulates the combination of little children and animals well. The role of professionally trained dogs from Hollywood is a special attraction in this kiddie fare. The music of the flick is just right with simple lyrics that gel well with the situations.

Directorially, Jose Punnoose impresses a great deal in telling a captivating story. A couple of sequences, especially those between Balasubramaniam and Suraj and also between Suraj and the dogs, portray the remarkable execution ability of the director. Cinematography is perfect.

Suraj Balajee performs exceptionally well and his performance merits an award too. S.P. Balasubramaniam is efficient.

On the whole, CHOTA JADUGAR has the potential to spell magic at the box-office. Timing the film during the holiday period and the 3-D technology will prove

beneficial.

Rating:- * *.
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