Shivaji Surathkal

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 songs kill the movie. Otherwise a great movie. The graphics on the pigeons are very fake. Like a early 2000 video game. The dead pigeons were really badly made. There was too much focus on the detective. They could have made the hotel a little more dingy would have put some fear in audience.

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.

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...

The twists are good as it is hard to guess the suspense. Engaging subject. But very poor screenplay. The dubbing and acting do not match well. First half is boring.