SadagaraKannada (U/A) ¬¬Director: Raj GopisuriyaCast: Shankar Aryan, Yagna Shetty, Sharath Lohitashwa, Manjunath Hegde and others
Sadagara. The word evokes many images. The 'hustle-bustle” mingled with excitement, both suppressed and outpouring, air filled with pleasant anticipation during any event... In short, denoting hope and energy.
Sadagara film has fine actors, some mildly ticklish dialogues and pleasing music. Vinod Bharti's camera brings the surroundings closer to the viewer. But the audience has to work hard to get into the mood.
Perhaps, Sadagara's failing is that it tries too hard to please all. Which is evident from the beginning when a father 'introduces' his son to an audience-onscreen and off it. Deeply disappointed with his zero achiever son, the father is reduced to a cold, detached man who hides his worries beneath bluff and buffoonry. Son is typical galli ka raja but also smart to weasel out of sticky situations.
This quality brings the heroine closer to him. She is being harassed by the son of the State home minister no less and when the hero decides to teach the fella a lesson, the brat goes into coma.
Mama spews fire and papa summons Sharad Poojary, dreaded don all the way from Dubai to avenge the humiliation. Meanwhile, the heroine goes missing and hero and friends are frantic. Do the lovers unite? Does hero succeed in thwarting the villain? Sadagara finds answers to these questions in its own fashion.
A majority of the cast are from the small screen and there is a sense of spontaneity about them—till the realisation that the ease comes from days and days of practice! Yet, Manjunath Hegde’s rendering of the father's role leaves a lot to be desired. A little gravity and dignity would have helped. Tabla Nani’s sidekick act fails to impress.
Loki is all brawn and little else, closely bringing to mind a young bull setting foot inside a city for the first time in its life. Leads Shankar Aryan and Yagna Shetty share an easy chemistry but that too is measured alas! Which brings us to Sharath Lohitashwa.
Unlike Shivanna and a few lucky others, veteran actor Lohitashwa’s son Sharath doesn't get a vehicle that would showcase his versatility; he is no better than his scores of films, competing with Rangayana Raghu for sustained foolishness passed off as comedy.
Considering that Sadagara happens to be Sharath's (as mentioned in the credits) 100th film, some at least will be disappointed. Disappointment aside, Sridhar's songs are enjoyable—but they cannot dispel the gloom.