<p>Bairagee</p>.<p>Kannada (Theatres)</p>.<p>Director: Vijay Milton</p>.<p>Cast: Shivarajkumar, Dhananjaya, Anjali, Pruthvee Ambaar</p>.<p>Rating: 3/5 </p>.<p>'Bairagee' had piqued curiosity as it pitted veteran Shivarajkumar against Dhananjaya, after the duo's famous face off in 'Tagaru' (2018). The clash mostly lives up to the promise. It's a remake of the Tamil hit film 'Kadugu' (2017) directed by Vijay Milton, who helms the Kannada version with some modifications.</p>.<p>The flick deals with two heinous crimes committed against women and minor girls: Forcing flesh trade and attempts of molestation. While trying to narrate a sensible story with commercial elements, the film raises two vital questions: What is important? Punishment or transformation? And which is heinous? Committing a crime or watching it as a mute spectator?</p>.<p>Shivappa (Shivarajkumar), a simpleton, is an exponent of the ancient art form Huli Vesha, a tiger faced dance unique to coastal Karnataka. A strong-tempered Shivappa is often unable to control his anger. An incident lands him in prison. He ends up being a helper to a police officer.</p>.<p>Circumstances bring Shivappa and Karna, a local leader together. As Karna nurtures political ambitions, he invites a minister for a programme at his village. A crime involving the minister pits Shivappa against Karna leading to a riveting climax. </p>.<p>The biggest strength of 'Bairagee', a character-driven film, is its story. The first half is extremely slow-paced as the filmmaker forces too many elements. A song involving Chikkanna doesn't complement the plot, so also a subplot dealing with the love story of Pruthvee Ambaar. </p>.<p>The story takes off just minutes before the first half. The story is set in a coastal region. Barring one, all characters never converse in the local dialect. With quite a few melodramatic moments in the second half, the plot becomes predictable but Milton salvages the film with a solid climax. </p>
<p>Bairagee</p>.<p>Kannada (Theatres)</p>.<p>Director: Vijay Milton</p>.<p>Cast: Shivarajkumar, Dhananjaya, Anjali, Pruthvee Ambaar</p>.<p>Rating: 3/5 </p>.<p>'Bairagee' had piqued curiosity as it pitted veteran Shivarajkumar against Dhananjaya, after the duo's famous face off in 'Tagaru' (2018). The clash mostly lives up to the promise. It's a remake of the Tamil hit film 'Kadugu' (2017) directed by Vijay Milton, who helms the Kannada version with some modifications.</p>.<p>The flick deals with two heinous crimes committed against women and minor girls: Forcing flesh trade and attempts of molestation. While trying to narrate a sensible story with commercial elements, the film raises two vital questions: What is important? Punishment or transformation? And which is heinous? Committing a crime or watching it as a mute spectator?</p>.<p>Shivappa (Shivarajkumar), a simpleton, is an exponent of the ancient art form Huli Vesha, a tiger faced dance unique to coastal Karnataka. A strong-tempered Shivappa is often unable to control his anger. An incident lands him in prison. He ends up being a helper to a police officer.</p>.<p>Circumstances bring Shivappa and Karna, a local leader together. As Karna nurtures political ambitions, he invites a minister for a programme at his village. A crime involving the minister pits Shivappa against Karna leading to a riveting climax. </p>.<p>The biggest strength of 'Bairagee', a character-driven film, is its story. The first half is extremely slow-paced as the filmmaker forces too many elements. A song involving Chikkanna doesn't complement the plot, so also a subplot dealing with the love story of Pruthvee Ambaar. </p>.<p>The story takes off just minutes before the first half. The story is set in a coastal region. Barring one, all characters never converse in the local dialect. With quite a few melodramatic moments in the second half, the plot becomes predictable but Milton salvages the film with a solid climax. </p>