Shakhahaari movie review: Rangayana Raghu and Gopalkrishna Deshpande excel in film that oscillates between thriller and love story

3.5/5

Shakhahaari story: Subbanna Bhat (Rangayana Raghu) runs a modest vegetarian restaurant that serves three staple items – dosa, idly and chitranna. When a suspect in a murder case, Vijay (Vinay UJ), escapes from the local police station and seeks refuge in Subbanna’s restaurant-cum-lodgings, the latter has to decide whether to turn in the fugitive who’s claiming innocence, or provide him a place to hide out, while the cops, led by SI Mallikarjun (Gopalkrishna Deshpande) are hot in pursuit.

Shakhahaari review: Rangayana Raghu as Subbanna Bhat chopping up a body and tossing it into the flames in his restaurant’s stove as seen in the trailer of Shakhahaari hinted that a heinous crime would be at the centre of this tale. A crime there was, but it was not at all what I was expecting. In that sense, debutant director Sandeep Sunkad’s film came across as a pleasant surprise. The premise that played out was not bad at all, but took its own sweet time to reach crescendo.

Shakhahaari trailer – Rangayana Raghu is a machete-wielding chef in this intense tale 

The focus of Shakhahaari is, without doubt, Rangayana Raghu’s Subbanna and Sandeep uses much of the narrative to establish the protagonist’s world, which revolves around his little vegetarian restaurant, the regulars who come there for a quick bite and tea, and his interest in a particular passenger on a bus that passes by his establishment at a fixed time every day. Subbanna’s routine goes for a toss, when his world collides with that of SI Mallikarjun and co, who are on a manhunt for a suspect in a murder case.

Gopalkrishna Deshpande’s Mallikarjun is the supporting artiste here. Closing the case as soon as possible is imperative for Mallikarjun, who will get his transfer sanctioned only thereafter. His family, including a wife who’s perennially unwell, has already moved back to his hometown, and she isn’t too happy that he’s still hanging around and prioritising work over her. Sandeep hints at some underlying tension from Mallikarjun’s stint as SI through an advocate who has an axe to grind, but doesn’t dwell on it further. Given that there are repeated references that Mallikarjun is not at his A-game as he used to be earlier, a little context would have helped here.

Rangayana Raghu on Shakhahaari – Playing chef Subbanna was challenging and artistically satisfying 

Instead, Subbanna’s love story takes centre stage for a bit, before the narrative returns to the murder investigation. That is where, I thought, Sandeep faltered at first, but then he gets his act together for the final act, which although satisfying in a way, could have ended a lot better. I am not entirely sold on how it all plays out eventually, but there’s no denying that it remained a gripping watch throughout.

Rangayana Raghu is a class act in Shakhahaari, although there were a couple of scenes where he could have underplayed. It’s always a joy watching Gopalkrishna Deshpande and he doesn't disappoint; if only he had a little more to chew on. The supporting cast, including Sujay Shastry and Pratima Nayak, among others, are effective too.

Shakhahaari verdict: In a busy week for Kannada cinema at the box office, Shakhahaari is, undoubtedly, one of the better watches. It’s got a decent premise, stellar performances and although not an edge-of-the-seat experience, it is gripping enough.