
What’s it about?
The story takes place in 1996 in Madanapalli. A worker (Makarand Deshpande) employed on the estate of a wealthy individual, contacts Maharaaj (Nandamuri Balakrishna) to notify him that Vaishnavi is in danger. Maharaaj arrives at the estate, assumes the role of a driver, and presents himself as Nanaji. Vaishnavi is the granddaughter of the estate proprietor (Sachin Khedeker).
However, Nanaji is not merely a driver; he is a distinguished engineer named Sitharam, who endeavored to provide water to the elevated terrain of the Chambal region in Madhya Pradesh. The engineer encountered opposition from the mining mafia chief Balwanth Singh Thaku (Bobby Deol). How did Sitharam attain the title of ‘Daaku Maharaaj’ and why did he assume the role of driver Nanaji to safeguard Vaishnavi?
Analysis
“Daaku Maharaaj,” as the title says, is about the protagonist who comes to be known with that name, though he is an engineer. In “Simha,” Balakrishna played a doctor who went violent, while in “Akhanda,” he portrays an aghora who protects a girl kid while simultaneously teaching a lesson to the mining mafia.
Similarly, in this film, he plays an engineer who deals with the mining mafia to supply water to the Chambal region while also maintaining his vow to protect a child. You get the point: the film tells a story that is typical of Balakrishna’s recent films. Director Bobby, story and screenplay written by him and other writers, some how manages to present the film in an interesting manner in the first half. He builds up the anticipation to know more about Balakrishna’s backstory, by creating various threads. But once the interval ends, it turns into a formulaic.
The story’s setting in the Chambal region, with an engineer facing off against a mining mafia don over a projected dam, appears absurd and theatrical. Even if we excuse the rationale, this entire stretch is reminiscent of many other masala actioners and delivers nothing new. The final 30 minutes, including the climax, are overly predictable.
The characterisations of the main villain Bobby Deol and Shraddha Srinath don’t create any impact. Due to this, the final hour turns out to be so boring.
One of the film’s positive aspects is that it avoids the obligatory romantic track between Balakrishna and Pragya Jaiswal, duets, and superfluous comedic segments. Urvashi Rautela, who plays a police sub-inspector assigned the job of protecting the young child, adds glamor to the film.
Nandamuri Balakrishna, known for his outstanding performances in roles that allow him to express his fury during dramatic action sequences, opts for restrained performance here. The climax and intermission episodes showcase his intense performance. His makeover is appealing.
Bollywood star Bobby Deol completely squanders as the main villain. The role of Pragya Jaiswal surpasses that of Shraddha Srinath. The child actor is adorable.
Vijay Kartik Kannan’s cinematography serves as the strongest technical foundation. He has given the action episodes a unique style, and his cinematography in the night sequences is outstanding. “Dabidi Dabidi” is one of the most popular tracks, yet the entire album isn’t catchy. But Thaman, as always, compensates with a riveting background score. The writing team has produced completely mediocre material. Bobby’s work as a director comes in the middle.
Bottom line: “Daaku Maharaaj” has a stylish presentation, and the middle segment is particularly interesting, but the rest of the film and its writing reeks of mediocrity and predictability. Vijay Kartik Kannan’s camerawork and Thaman’s background score are the highlights of this typical mass drama, that is essentially run-of-the mill actioner.
Rating: 2.5/5
By Jalapathy Gudelli
Movie: Daaku Maharaaj
Cast: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Pragya Jaiswal, Bobby Deol, Shraddha Srinath, Urvashi Rautela, Chandini Chowdary, Shine Tom Chacko, Satya, Jeevan Kumar, and others
Music: S Thaman
DOP: Vijay Kartik Kannan
Action: V Venkat
Editor: Niranjan Devaramane, Ruben
Production Designer: Avinash Kolla
Producers: Suryadevara Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya
Written and Directed by: Bobby Kolli
Release Date: Jan 12, 2025