'Dalari' has been helmed by Kachidi Gopal Reddy. Billed as a film that exposes the dynamics of the middleman system pervading the economy, the film is a political action drama. In this section, we are going to review the latest release:
Plot:
Political leader and dalari Venkat Reddy (Rajeev Kanakala) and his foot soldier Abhi (Shakalaka Shankar) are like brothers. They are in for a major challenge from CI Vikram (Sritej), who is determined to bring down Venkat despite stiff opposition from his superiors in the police department. Why is Vikram after Venkat, who is a misunderstood personality in the town? How does Abhi avert the existential threat from him? That's what the second half is about.
Performances:
The good thing about the script is that it is focused but doesn't expect the audience to invest exclusively in one "hero". The film has two protagonists, played by Rajeev Kanakala and Shakalaka Shankar. And both of them share a strong rapport and chemistry. Their chemistry is outdone by the one that Shankar shares with his college-time buddies, Aqsa Khan and Rupika, both of whom incidentally have a crush on him.
Sritej's role is not straightforward. And the motives of the character make the second half a roller-coaster ride. Four comedians are seen in different roles: Get-up Srinu, Racha Ravi, Auto Ramprasad and Laxman Meesala of 'RX 100' fame. Prithviraj plays a funny arms dealer.
Technical Departments:
Hari Gowra's music should have been used in a better way to create the desired impact. Mentum Sathish's cinematography is not ambitious.
Merits:
1. The story is inherently serious. The college campus scenes involving Shankar and the two heroines are a clever red herring.
2. There is a proper start-middle-end arc for the two male protagonists.
3. The commentary about the Benami and Dalari systems is sincere.
4. The film's story is based on a real-life personality about whom nothing much is known. In the name of entertainment, his character hasn't been commercialized.
Demerits:
1. The triangular love story comes with some cliched ideas.
2. The jokes involving the comedians on the college campus could have been original. They look derivative.
Vox Verdict:
'Dalari' is a serious-minded take on the complexities of the middlemen system in our economy. Some individuals trapped by the system have their own set of limitations despite their noble intentions. The same has been shown well in a dramatic way.
Rating: 2.75/5
