'Kapatadhaari' has released in theatres this Friday. This is an official remake of a Kannada film that actor Sumanth has opined is part of a new wave in Sandalwood. Expectations from crime dramas are not high from the mass audience. But the discerning ones take them seriously. What does this film have in store? Let's take a look in this review.
Story
As a traffic cop doing a boring job, Gautham (Sumanth) wants to find a spot in the crime department. He chances upon the skeletal remains of a family while on duty. The family is believed to have been murdered. Since one of the victims is a 10-year-old girl, Gautham is moved.
He comes to know that the incident pertains to 1977. It's up to him, GK (Jayaprakash as a crime reporter) and a retired SI Ranjith Kumar (Nasser) to solve the mystery. They may have to confront a powerful force in this.
Performances
Sumanth takes some time to ease into the character. He looks somewhat older for the role. Jayaprakash and Nasser deliver superb acts. Sampath Maitreya is another able performer. Nandita Swetha and Vennela Kishore are wasted in the roles of Jayaprakash's daughter and the male lead's colleague, respectively.
Technical aspects
Simon K King's music elevates even ordinary scenes. The score is momentous and consistently follows the story. Rasamathi's cinematography passes muster. The film has got a decent technical crew on board, given that the producers made it in two languages simultaneously (Telugu and Tamil). Praveen KL's editing could have been way better. Some of the scenes are a drag.
Analysis
Right from the time Sumanth's character gets interested in the mystery behind the killings of an unknown family, 'Kapatadhaari' starts looking forced at one too many places. There is just no forceful reason for him to take up a four-decades-old case, that too emotionally.
The investigation scenes happen without characteristic tension-inducing moments. The first half pans out like this before ending with the murder of a film actress.
The second half, however, presents an interesting stretch involving a wily character and his ugly past. There is a dirty secret in his life and it's narrated well in a visual form.
The film would have been way better had the climax been flawless. There are emotional moments involving not only Sumanth's character but also that of Jayaprakash and Nasser. However, logic is thrown to the winds when we see a political biggie getting in a bind so easily.
Closing Remarks
The investigative drama has its share of loopholes in terms of how the central character stumbles upon clues and solves a mystery.
