Thaindian News

Film: “Rajadhani”; Cast: Yash, Sheena Shahabadi, Sathya, Prakash Raj, Ravi Teja, Sandeep, Chethan Chandra, Ramesh Bhat, Thulasi Shivamani and Umashri; Producer: Sowmya Sathyan; Screenplay-Dialogues-Direction: K.V. Raju; Music Director: Arjun Janya; Camera: H.C. Venu; Rating: ***

Director K.V. Raju’s “Rajadhani” has a good story - it tells the tragic story of five misguided youths from a lower middle-class who turn into hardened criminals. Though a lot of commercial ingredients like an item number, picturised on Mumaith Khan, and unwarranted fights scenes have been added to the proceedings of the film, “Rajadhani” turns out to be a neatly narrated film with a tight script.

What makes “Rajadhani” a pleasing watch is the five youngsters’ performance and how effectively the technical elements have gelled with the narration.

Prakash Raj’s superb dialogue delivery takes the cake, but young hero Yash’s contribution to make it a watchable can not be overlooked either.

Four other young artists — Sathya, Sandeep, Ravi Teja and Chethan Chandra — have done their best to lift the film.

Another plus point of the film is that the producers have not compromised - if the film boasts of high technical values like cinematography and music, good sound work and sharp editing have made it a good watch.

The only flaw is loud and below the belt dialogues, which will keep the family audiences away from the theatres. Comic dialogues sound silly and childish. This could have been easily avoided by Raju, a veteran writer-director with an experience of over three decades in the Kannada film industry.

The story revolves around Raja, Jannu, Daamu and Nithya are four close friends who who waste their time in useless activities. Then there is Chethan who wants to study and earn respect in the society, but his four friends force him to join them and they form a group.

Raja falls in love with Sowmya who belongs to his locality, while Chethan too likes a neighbourhood girl.

One day Chethan is beaten up by a group of rowdies and it triggers off a war between Raja’s group and the rowdies. Prakash, an honest cop, arrives on the scene with his team and takes five youngsters into custody.

Prakash advises them to choose the right path after getting the bail, but the youngsters instead take up a job to kill a local don.

The film ends in a tragedy, but it also sends a good message not only to youngsters, but their parents too.

Among the five young actors, Yash is the pick of the lot. He is definitely a star material and “Rajadhani” conclusively establishes him as a fine actor who can take major challenges. He has also excelled in fight sequences.

Veteran actor Prakash Raj shines in his role, but the film’s heroine Sheena has such a miniscule role that her presence is totally forgotten once she disappears from the screen.

“Kick ide Balu” will please the masses and romantic number “Mididha Ninna” will have a soothing effect on the viewers. H.C. Venu has done a fantastic job behind the camera, which adds visual strength to the film.

“Rajadhani” comes as a pleasant surprise. Despite being an issue-based movie, it succeeds in engaging the viewers.