Vidyapati film assessment: Nagabhushana carries a shaky screenplay banking on feelings

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Slapstick comedy is a style that gave a number of outstanding names from the Kannada movie business, an preliminary recognition that later developed into real fame and following. The style has given outstanding comedy actors of the business a promotion from being supporting actors in hero-driven movies to being lead actors themselves. Nagabhushana is one such actor who discovered success as a supporting artiste and has progressively taken up roles because the lead at common intervals.

‘Vidyapati’ is a Kannada movie starring Nagabhushana within the lead because the titular character. Alongside him, Malaika Vasupal of ‘Upadhyaksha’ fame and Garuda Ram of ‘KGF’ fame additionally play outstanding roles.

The trailer of ‘Vidyapati’ garnered real consideration for the movie, with its comedy, modifying and fascinating premise. Nagabhushana going up in opposition to Garuda Ram, who’s the antagonist within the movie, reminded audiences of the long-lasting remaining battle between Shah Rukh Khan’s Rahul and Thangabali from the 2013 blockbuster movie ‘Chennai Categorical’. However does this movie ship the promotion for Nagabhushana from a hilarious supporting actor to a promising lead actor in Kannada movies? Let’s discover out!

Siddu or Vidyapati (Nagabhushana) is a happy-go-lucky man belonging to a poor however hardworking household, who aspires to dwell a lavish life. He falls in love with budding famous person Vidya (Malaika) and manages to entangle her in his net of lies to marry her. Within the course of, he abandons his household and buddies – a value he fortunately pays to dwell a lifetime of luxurious together with his spouse’s earnings and weath.

One night, whereas Siddu is out on a date together with his spouse, they’ve a run-in with Jaggu (Garuda Ram), a infamous gangster. The confrontation ends with Siddu being unable to safeguard Vidya’s honour and being crushed up whereas attempting to squirm out of the state of affairs. Embarrassed by her husband, Vidya decides to throw Siddu again into a lifetime of poverty, with the situation that he can return solely after he beats up Jaggu. What does Siddu do to get again into Vidya’s life? What does he realise throughout his try? The solutions to those questions kind the plot of the movie.

The core feelings of a flawed character like Siddu and his antics to fulfil his greed act because the central theme of the movie, which evolves via varied experiences in the course of the course of this emotional motion comedy. Siddu’s relationships together with his spouse Vidya, father, stepmother, and childhood pal play an important position in his character arc in addition to viewers engagement on this loosely knit story.

The current success of the Pradeep Ranganathan-starrer Tamil movie ‘Dragon’ was a relentless reminder that if the viewers connects with the feelings on display screen, each different flaw may be neglected – and that might be relevant to this movie as nicely. With parallels like deeply flawed characters discovering redemption, risky relationships, and banking on relatable feelings, ‘Vidyapati’ too exhibits the identical scope as ‘Dragon’. However does that imply it’s not flawed? By no means.

The author-director duo Esham and Haseen appear to have developed a whole screenplay based mostly on an fascinating one-liner however selected probably the most orthodox sample to pen their proceedings. There’s a lack of innovation within the presentation, which acts as a significant downside. One other main let-down is the absence of great payoffs to any of the relationships established within the movie. Coming from filmmakers who made a movie like ‘Ikkat’, this outing feels much less like a ardour mission and extra like an task.

Nagabhushana tries his greatest to hold the movie on his shoulders, because it closely banks on his efficiency. Within the first half, whereas most of his gags land nicely and obtain giggles, there are a couple of moments the place the caricaturish appearing doesn’t fairly sit nicely. The vary he shows throughout emotional sequences within the second half, nonetheless, re-establishes his appearing potential as a lead in Kannada cinema.

What comes as a shock is the restricted display screen time of Malaika Vasupal, who performs Vidya. For somebody portraying the character after whom the title is known as, Malaika options in solely a handful of scenes, however she delivers what’s required of her position effectively. Nonetheless, Garuda Ram because the antagonist Jaggu underwhelms together with his efficiency.

A particular shout-out goes to Daali Dhananjay’s prolonged cameo because the mysterious Anaconda, a Kung Fu fighter who effortlessly delivers among the greatest moments within the movie. Anaconda’s introduction motion sequence is brilliantly choreographed and seamlessly executed by Dhananjay, triggering cheers and whistles from the viewers. As a standalone character, the story of Anaconda may definitely be an fascinating endeavour, offered the makers take a extra revolutionary method to constructing the backstory.

Of all of the technical departments, solely the music stands out. Composer Bossmode manages to information the viewers via a screenplay that regularly loses route. Cinematography and modifying have a number of shortcomings and may be referred to as common at greatest.

General, if one expects a David vs Goliath story from the trailer, or an impressed model of Shah Rukh Khan’s Rahul vs Thangabali second from ‘Chennai Categorical’, that is solely a visible similarity. But, ‘Vidyapati’, regardless of all of its demerits, is a breezy, time-pass watch – particularly for individuals who loved the comedy and emotional beats teased within the trailer.

Printed By:

Sanjay Ponnappa CS

Printed On:

Apr 10, 2025

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