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Review Shivam Bhaje: Divine mission

'Shivam Bhaje' was released in theatres today (August 1st). What is the movie like? What can you expect from it? Let's find out...

Plot:

Chandra Sekhar (Ashwin Babu), a tough loan recovery agent who can beat baddies to a pulp like a cinema hero, is a happy-go-lucky atheist. A childhood scar left him traumatized by the idea of God. He falls in love with a lab assistant named Sailaja (Digangana Suryavanshi). A sudden tragedy leaves him blind, but after surgery, he regains his sight - with an unexpected twist. He soon finds himself having to grapple with odd sounds within his head. Nightmares and mysterious murders follow. What explains his sudden suffering after the surgery? How is his fate linked to a larger conspiracy involving Pakistan and China against India? That's what the second half is about.

Performances:

Ashwin Babu, in recent years, has taken a sharp interest in macho roles with a mystery plot. He enjoys playing characters that are caught unawares. He is good at showing vulnerability in such roles. In 'Shivam Bhaje', he gets to break the bones of villains in at least three gravity-defying fights while also being challenged by fate. Hyper Aadi plays his all-weather sidekick whose repartees are the film's trusted source of comic relief.

Arbaaz Khan plays ACP Murali, an investigator trying to crack a series of killings in the city. Sai Dheena plays his subordinate, someone whose body language is suspicious. Digangana Suryavanshi plays the male lead's love interest. Murali Sharma plays a renowned medical specialist with a keen eye for detail (pun intended). Tulasi plays the male lead's God-loving mother. Nithya Sri, the TikTok girl of 'Oh my God.. Oh my God' fame, has an inconsequential role as his sister.

The film could have benefited from better roles for Brahmaji (an over-confident, sneering surgeon), Kireeti Damaraju (as a chemical engineer), and others. Tanikella Bharani is seen in a cameo.

Technical Departments:

Vikas Badisa's background music should have been subdued in some scenes, especially during the first fight involving a bunch of comedians led by Shakalaka Shankar. Shivendra Dasaradhi's cinematography is excellent. The camera angles make the story look larger-than-life. At 124 minutes, the editing is apt.

The film's production values, ensured by debutant production house Ganga Entertainments, are worthy of appreciation.

Analysis:

Director Apsar pens an investigative thriller that comes with a medical thriller subplot. As ACP Murali, played by Bollywood actor Arbaaz Khan, tries to unravel a serial killer mystery, the film turns into a whodunit. So, in a way, this is a multi-genre film that also takes its romantic track quite seriously (in terms of the screen time).

The medical thriller subplot needs special emphasis. The concept of xenotransplantation, which is defined as the transplantation of living cells, tissues or organs from one species to another, propels the story forward. While Apsar might have taken a few cinematic liberties (especially because of the undercurrent of divinity and the theme of destiny) in deploying the scientific concept, the end result is not disappointing.

The divine element should have been elevated better. Lord Shiva's imagery makes its presence felt throughout. However, the emotional payoff is limited. Instead of Tanikella Bharani's character talking about the male lead's divinely-ordained destiny, Tulasi's character should have spoken about it. The climax could have involved her in some way. This would have lent the ultimate portions a touch of the sublimeness of 'Kantara'.

The film should have reached its main point a bit early on in the second half. How is the male lead's life linked to the larger plot? This should have been answered without much fuss. The geopolitical conspiracy, too, should have been fleshed out more to raise the stakes.

Vox Verdict:

'Shivam Bhaje' is a multi-genre film wherein the hero's accidental mission is a high-stakes one. It is a whodunit, a medical thriller, and an investigative thriller rolled into one.

Rating: 2.5/5


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