Shivaji Surathkal

This movie is some what similar to Murder on the Orient Express with some extra masala. No doubt overall acting is good but here and there I could see over acting.

Actor Ramesh Aravind does a very commendable job. The character Shivaji Suratkal is written based on the character of Sherlock Holmes. The screenplay is quite gripping with past and present timeline moving parallel and the intersect at the climax.

The good thing about this film is it's a Kannada film without those shameless, depressing, overrated, simply painful mass dialogues that is probably a whistling moment for everyone in Mandya. This one is a good film (meaning it has a strong storyline) but there is a BUT.

As for the film in whole, it was a good attempt barring the songs. The thriller stays a few minutes ahead of 2 hours which is great. The acting is good by everyone. The story is an Agatha Christie. If Writer-Director Akash Srivatsa brings in another case for Shivaji thus making another film with the same actor, Ramesh, in the lead, then there will be a problem in the writing. The character Shivaji works in this film (badly) because he has more than just a case to solve. He has to solve himself, i.e., his past. But if there is another case (another film), there's nothing within him that has an arc. His character is flawless which itself is bad writing.

Shivaji is loud in the beginning, boasting with his keen observing nature and a show of anger which I couldn't digest as it looked fake. But everything changes as the film goes on. This is not character arc. This is writer forgetting what he wrote about the characteristics of Shivaji. Shame. A murder and just 2 people sent to investigate. The cliche pattern for any Kannada thriller nowadays is bring in the ghosts and prove it was a human. Remember 'Shh..' by Upendra? Remember the glamorously and extravagantly shot but loop holes filled 'Rangitaranga'? This film is the same but by twirling the juices of one of Agatha's story.

I subscribed to Zee5 just to watch this film and mind you, the film is not bad. Am complaining because this is good and that's why I am seeking perfection. It's a good family watch. Worth two hours of your time (fast forward the songs). And lastly, all's well that ends well. This one does.

Before I start writing about the movie, I need to talk about Ramesh Aravind first. The man does not age. If you see his Amruthvarshini and this movie back to back you would not guess that they are 23, yes freaking TWENTY THREE, years apart. He looks the same, maybe better now. And he, as usual, carries this movie forward with his grace and versatility. I wish he keeps giving such performances and entertain us.

Coming back to the movie, if you are "Detective" Genre enthusiast then some or the other time you would have wanted Sherlock Holmes to appear in a Agatha Christie novel!. No? Was it just me?. Ok. But if you did (or did not !), then you need to watch Shivaji Surathkal. The movie is inspired by these two greatest things that happened to detective genre. And it does so majestically.

The movie looks inspired from one of the finest novels of Agatha Christie. But it is not a remake or an adaptation, its central theme is original. One of the problems with the detective genres is to keep the attention of the viewers till the end, else the viewer will guess the climax and lose interest in the story. The story of Ranagiri Rahasya avoids this problem successfully. It keeps you guessing till the end. Editing and sound effects add to this distraction and creates a nice recipe to be enjoyed at the climax.

Though there are chinks in the story which could impact the overall watching experience, the movie is worth your time. Hope Akash Srivastsa pens more such movies in this series. Will it be a far of thought if I say that Shivaji Surathkal can be made into a graphic novel? Only one person can answer that.

A protogonist imvestigates the people who are all stayed in lodge where had murder happened...some people suspect ghost killed him but he finds the real culprit...!! Climax was good attempt...