Review : Nani’s Dasara – Gritty action drama

The Nani-starrer, Dasara, employs every trick in the book to draw you into a world you haven't seen before. Nani's Dasara is a highly well-known story about the negative aspects of caste politics, much like its more modern equivalents Rangasthalam (2018) and Narappa (2021). Also, the familiarity permeates the way it tells the story of friendship and retaliation. The environment that the movie is situated in and how debutante Odella Srikanth depicts it, however, nonetheless manage to leave you in wonder. The film particularly benefits from its grounded location and Srikanth's ability to take the audience to a previously unseen environment of a coal-laden hamlet.

The action takes place in Veerlapalli, a little community encircled by coal mines. Dharani, played by Nani, lives for his closest buddy Suri (played by Dheekshith) and his group of buddies. We witness the gang do a dangerous feat by stealing coal from a moving train in their opening montage. In this community, drinking is a way of life and a custom, and the neighborhood bar is where all the guys congregate to kill time. Power and caste dynamics are present at the bar, which is only open to males from the higher caste.

Lower caste men wouldn't dare enter the building while they were drinking outside. Suri and Dharani come into contact with Samuthirakani and Shine Tom Chacko, members of the most influential family in the area, when they unwittingly cause a change in the power dynamics at the bar. The main conflict of the novel is how Suri and Dharani must deal with the fallout from their choices.

When it comes to such tales, Dasara very much employs every method that has been used in the past. While it is successful in drawing you into a world you have never encountered before, it nevertheless manages to make a significant impression. Characters in Veerlapalli are thoughtfully created and have a lot of personality. This narrative doesn't rely on the hero's bluster in the same way as Pushpa or KGF do.

In fact, Nani portrays a guy who is largely terrified and turns to drink to numb his dread for a solid 60 to 70 percent of the movie. Nani was really visible in the first half, backing up Suri. As Nani's change occurs at a pivotal point in the movie, Srikanth has invested a lot of effort in developing his character. As a result, when he finally rebels, we believe in the change.

In the end, Dasara does make an effort to become bulky. Nonetheless, the predictability isn't seen as a huge complaint since the leisurely world-building truly serves to keep the audience interested all the way to the conclusion. Just before the intermission and during the closing sequence, the movie has two of its greatest scenes, which are both well orchestrated action set pieces.

The action scene at the intermission is so well filmed that it causes the audience to feel intense shock and anxiety, which makes them nervous. Nani gives such a compelling portrayal, and he sells his need for vengeance so well. With her easy portrayal, Keerthy Suresh once again demonstrates why she is one of the greatest mainstream actors now working. Dasara is not just visually appealing but also intensely engaging in every frame thanks in large part to Sathyan Sooryan's direction.

Movie: Dasara

Odella Srikanth is the filmmaker.

Cast: Samuthirakani, Keerthy Suresh, Shine Tom Chacko, Dheekshith Shetty, and Nani