Director: Prashanth Varma
Cast: Rajasekhar, Adah Sharma, Nandita Swetha, Rahul Ramakrishna, Sidhu, Ashutosh Rana, Charandeep, Satru
Director Prashanth Varma’s debut film Awe was a psychological thriller and he goes back to the 1980s for Kalki. Prashanth sets the mood with the introduction of the Kollapur royal family in animation.
MLA Narasappa (Ashuto-sh Rana) is ruthless person and rules Kollapur with the help of Perumandlu (Satru). His brother Sekhar Babu (Sidhu) is killed during a festival. Some suspect Narasappa has killed his brother who was earning a name, others think Peruma-ndlu murdered Sekhar. Crime reporter Deva Dutta (Rahul Ramakrishna) comes to the village to cover the festival and starts investigating the killing. Kalki (Rajasekhar), an encounter specialist, also arrives to probe the case.
The rest of the film is about whether they find the killer.
Prashanth is unable to create any interest as the investigations proceed in a predictable manner. He uses the first half to cast suspicions on a few people but the story doesn’t go forward as the narration drags. Kalki picks up pace in the second half and creates some interesting moments. As the story unravels, the last half-an-hour is very good.
The story had the potential to make a thriller, which Prashant does not quite harness. His command on technical values is visible as the film has a stylish look. It is also borne out in the action scenes.
Time tells on Rajasekhar The heavy make-up does not quite do its job. He also covers his eyes with black spectacles.
Rahul Ramakrishna gets a meaty role surprises everyone with his performance. Seen throughout the film, he provides some laughs with his comedy.
Sidhu Jonnalagedda has different role and carries it off.
Adah Sharma appears as a doctor and she is just okay. Nandita Shweta is appreciable in her small role. Ashutosh Rana, Satru and Charandeep have supportive roles as the baddies. Nasser appears in a cameo.
The film is technically savvy and the excellent cinematography by Dasaradhi Shivendra is one of the highlights. Mention must be made of his shooting of the beautiful locations and the action scenes. The background music score is another noteworthy feature. The dialogues are well-written.
After Garudavega, there were high expectations on Rajasekhar in another cop role but he disappoints. The thriller has its interesting scenes especially towards the end and director Prashanth Varma appears to have concentrated more on the technical quality than the story.
