Common man's fight against the corrupt

Film review

Srikanta
Kannada (U/A)Cast: Shivarajkumar, Chandini Sreedharan, Vijay Raghavendra, Achyut Kumar, Deepu Kumar, Rekha, Gurudutt
Director: Manju Swaraj

Having eschewed violence in Santheyalli Nintha Kabeera, Century Star Shivarajkumar is back with a full-fledged commercial action drama in Srikanta, much to the delight of his abhimani devathegalu taking up the cudgels for the cause of exploited citizens. Trademark violence spurts on screen, as common man Srikanta rises the banner of revolt against corrupt politicians and the evil elements of society.

It’s a road movie where Srikanta gives lift to a journalist, travelling home on the eve of first wedding anniversary, from Bengaluru to Agumbe. The two strike up a conversation about their past, told through flashbacks.

The narrative speaks of how Srikanta — a hard-boiled orphan bestowed with a golden heart — strives to rise above the evil ways he has been pushed into. The arrival of Shashi in his life brings in a sense of optimism.

Running various errands for money, celebrating Kannada Rajyothsava, collecting people for political rallies, is orphan Srikanta. Helping poor and needy, teaching orphan children, is Shashi. Srikanta fails to understand familial duties, putting Shashi in a lot of hardships. Even as Srikanta tries to adjust to married life, destiny has different things in store for him. Evil politicians almost ruin their blissful marital life.

How Srikanta wages a valiant battle to overcome odds, including saving an orphanage from being usurped, forms the rest of the film with a surprise climax.

Sans the usual comedy and needless twists, Srikanta raises several social issues to awaken the citizen’s conscience. Hatrick Hero goes about his role with panache. Chandini, making her Kannada debut, is adequate. Vijay Raghavendra comes up with an honest portrayal. Ajaneesh Loknath’s score and Sureshbabu’s cinematography lend lustre to the film.