Jajabara 2.0

An Odia movie just before 3 years meant the usual boy meets girl or vice versa, romance, songs, opposition from families, the boy is a goon, the girl opposes then marries another boy etc etc. Lots of melodrama, forced laughter, unnecessary songs and action sequences or even take off from another famous regional language movie. What these last 3 years has given the audience is a variety of out of the box thought provoking movies like Pushkara, Pratikshya, Daman and the recent Trikanya. And now Jajabara 2.0 arrived.

Being a tribute to yesteryear's Odia movie superstar Sriram Panda, the story is about a cab driver who happens to be a cold blooded contract killer and who is a die hard fan of Sriram Panda and his passenger who is seeking some redemption after killing his lover. This duo go on a night spree of drinking, smoking and sharing their sentiments. This much. Nothing drama. Pure thriller. This type of set-up with some fine BGM and the night shots of city is perfect for a bone chilling thriller movie in the likes of Tarantino, Korean movie or some Anurag Kashyap's hardcore Thriller/Drama. In fact Mr. Kashyap has himself praised the movie after watching it.

Talking about the acting, the two lead actors Devesh Ranjan (Jagat) & Prasanjit Mohapatra (Satya) have both given their career best performances. The direction of Abhishek Swain has some major plot holes. The background story of Satya isn't shown as is a brief narration of Jagat's story. The mainstream Odia movie audience may not like this movie as they are accustomed by the contemporary Odia movies or more to say the rip-offs & spin offs of some south Indian movies, which was evident by the empty seats in the PVR Utkal Kanika Galleria, BBSR. We were hardly only 15-20 audiences present there. Had it been the usual Odia movie, then the theatre would have been houseful for the entire 2 weeks. After the show the lead actor Devesh Ranjan discussed with us about the absence of contemporary Odia audiences.

But still the story, set-ups & the Director's daring attempt to foray into this genre and with such style is definitely welcomed by the more serious movie lovers and by people like me who were desperate to see some changes in Odia movie Industry. This movie is going to be a cult classic of its genre.

My Rating 6/10.

A tribute to the legendary Odia actor Mr. Sriram Panda. This Neo noir and Pulp fiction and crime thriller film is all about redemption. The prominent characters including Jagat Panda (taxi driver), Satyajit Meher(job goer) and Manini(a bar dancer) are all seeking redemption from their respective lives. One seeks redemption from his past and another seeks redemption from his Broken relationship and in the other hand one seeks redemption from her ugly present life and needing money to get rid of it. Everyone's life encircled them into a situation from where they need to escape. Conflicts strike.

This film, which pays homage to the legendary actor Sriram Panda and the Odia cinema industry, is a unique production in Odisha, with excellent storyline and execution. The editing, sound, BGM, and DI are all really nicely done. It's a one-night journey with many emotional facets. Every frame is a gorgeous delight for the eyes and a pure joy to watch. The film's music perfectly complements the idea and is its spirit.

You will be riveted to your seat the entire time the plot unfolds after the intermission since each scene builds to the dramatic conclusion. The movie offered the characters greater opportunities to be seen on screen. Nevertheless, besides this one issue, it's absolutely worth seeing. The JAJABARA 2.0 team has very successfully lifted the bar, and the director has done an amazing job.

"Jajabara 2.0" is a bold attempt by the Odia film industry to explore the crime thriller genre, a departure from the usual themes. The film's storyline and concept are unique, showcasing a new direction for Odia cinema. However, this uniqueness might make it challenging for the common audience to fully grasp the story and concept.

Despite being a low-budget film, "Jajabara 2.0" shines aesthetically, with visually pleasing scenes that add to the overall appeal of the movie. The performance of Devesh Ranjan as Jagat Panda is noteworthy, bringing depth and authenticity to his character. The creativity of director and writer Abhishek Swain is evident throughout the film, with innovative storytelling techniques and a gripping narrative that keeps the audience engaged.

Overall, "Jajabara 2.0" is a commendable effort that showcases the potential of the Odia film industry to explore new genres and storytelling techniques. While it may not be easily understood by all audiences, it is a must-watch for those looking for something different and refreshing in Odia cinema.