Like many other directors, Malavalli Sai Krishna too has penned dialogues for dozens of Kannada films. He finally chose a realistic subject for his directorial venture -And there is no doubt that the success of 'Dandupalya', which was again based on a realistic subject about the gang of serial killers, triggered the making of 'Khatarnak'.
There were a lot of expectations from the film. It has Ravi Kale, who played the role of Sivarasan in AMR Ramesh's 'Cynaide' and then went on to portray the role of a dreaded gang member in 'Dandupalya'. He accepted the role to play psychopath serial killer Umesh Reddy.
However, the script was mishandled, especially while dealing with a true life psychopathic killer. It backfired, resulting in more or less a "B" grade film that has a sprinkling of crime incidents, and how the law eventually caught up with Umesh.
Though the film claims to be purely based on fictious characters, it is an open secret that it is a biopic of the psychopath and killer Umesh Reddy, who is facing gallows for his horrifying criminal acts -killing women for sexual pleasure. The censor board had to look at the film twice and okayed it for release with 23 cuts!
Ravi Kale has done justice to the role but the director has failed miserably in many quarters -The opening scene raises eyebrows with its perhaps too bold portrayals which were understandably censored.
For those, who are unaware of the psychopath, it could be a documentary and for those who are in the know, there is nothing new that the film offers, which is not already public knowledge thanks to the police and judiciary.
Budding actress Roopika, who made headlines by accepting the role of a psychology student, is a filler to revisit crimes committed by Umesh on the big screen.
In 'Khatarnak', Umesh is hung for his psychopathic acts! Whereas the real Umesh Reddy, who is facing gallows, is still lodged in jail. Even the endless preaching by police characters to stay alert of such anti-social elements fall a bit flat.
MOVIE: Khatarnak; CAST: Ravi Kale, Roopika and Sadhu Kokila; DIRECTION: Malavalli Sai Krishna
