Bhadrakaali Review: Solid idea, stretched narration!

Basic story

Kittu (Vijay Antony) is a fixer inside the Secretariat, a man who thrives on brokering deals for officials and politicians. His clout makes him indispensable, until he locks horns with Abhyankar Shankar (Sunil Kriplani), who is set to become the President of India. Why does Kittu attempt to block Abhyankar’s rise, and how does a smart operator land in such a mess?

Analysis

“Bhadrakaali”, the Telugu dubbed version of “Shakthi Thirumagan”, comes with a compelling premise. It is about the hidden role of brokers in the political system.

Few Indian films have tackled this territory, and in Telugu, only RP Patnaik’s “Broker” had attempted something similar, albeit on a modest scale. Here, the idea gets a bigger and more ambitious presentation in the fashion of Shankar’s old movies.

The film starts off well, effectively establishing Kittu’s influence and the murky world he navigates. The initial sequences are gripping, aided by slick editing and racy narration, creating the impression of a tight political thriller. The first half breezes by, raising expectations.

But the momentum doesn’t sustain. Post-interval, the screenplay meanders, weighed down by a convoluted climax that stretches far too long. The intricate plotting also demands close attention, and missing small details can easily cause confusion. What begins as a sharp political drama slowly turns into a test of patience. It needed tighter runtime.

Vijay Antony delivers a restrained and believable performance. Sunil Kriplani impresses as the cunning lobbyist Abhyankar Shankar. The supporting cast perform their parts effectively. Director Arun Prabu Purushothaman tackles a thought-heavy political subject neatly. The background score and editing in the first half are top-notch, elevating the drama. However, the second half lacks the same sharpness, diluting the overall impact.

Bottomline: “Bhadrakaali” is a political thriller with a solid concept and an engaging first half, but it loses steam as it progresses and undercuts its own setup in the end.

Rating: 2.5/5

By TC Team