Rakkasapuradhol movie review: Raj B Shetty’s crime thriller is a bumpy yet satisfactory ride

Rakkasapuradhol movie story: SI Shiva (Raj B Shetty) is sent to Rakkasapura, a village with low crime rate, following a 6-month suspension, as the department is averse to letting go of an efficient officer like him. Since alcohol continues to be his constant companion, he remains under observation, and Rakkasapura is just the right place for him; until it isn’t. Bodies begin to drop – mainly young women, kitted in bridal finery, and faces charred beyond recognition. The village folk believe it is the work of the Kolli deva demon, but SI Shiva is not convinced. What is he up against?

Rakkasapuradhol movie review: ‘Temper your expectations before watching Rakkasapuradhol; it’s a decent crime thriller’, is what Raj B Shetty had said about his film that is in theatres now. If one watches Ravi Saranga’s debut directorial with that in mind, Rakkasapuradhol actually comes across as a decent one-time watch. You may even be tempted to overlook the glaring plot holes, because he manages to stick the landing. There’s a mildly satisfactory payoff to the mystery and that, honestly, is what matters in a thriller.

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On paper and, to a large extent, on screen too, Rakkasapuradhol has an interesting premise, which would have worked just as well with any other leading man. Raj doesn’t really bring his stamp to the role, besides his unconventional looks for a cop, including the unkempt moustache and beard. The supporting cast, including the likes of B Suresha, Jahangir, Archana Kottige, Gopalkrishna Deshpande among others, are passable in roles that don’t offer them much. The rest are rather caricaturish, barring Anirudh Bhat in a short but impactful role.

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What also holds the film back is the technical department, especially the cinematography by William David and music score by Arjun Janya. By and large, the visuals are sub-par, and it doesn’t help that Arjun seems to have been inspired by the Ravi Basrur-Anirudh Shastry school of loud and overbearing beats to get things going. Even if one were to argue that a thriller film requires an adequate score to heighten the suspense, it cannot be at the expense of your ear drums.

The film is only a little over 2 hours in run-time, and yet there are instances that feel unnecessarily drawn out, especially in the first half and, most gratingly, in the climax. Mental health is a recurring theme in the film, which had me wondering if mental illness would be an impediment to be or remain a police officer. Raj’s character Shiva is shown as having understanding and supportive superior officers, who check on him with genuine concern as to whether he’s taking his medications. But given his symptom, it really begets the question if he is really fit for the job.

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Rakkasapuradhol movie verdict: Ravi Saranga’s debut directorial is passable in the genre. Could it have been better? Of course, but compared to a lot of other thrillers that have made it to screens in recent times, it’s miles ahead.