Pogaru: A jaded action drama that belittles women

Pogaru (Kannada)

Director: Nanda Kishore

Cast: Dhruva Sarja, Rashmika Mandanna, Chikkanna, Ravi Shankar, Mayuri

Rating: 1/5

The mother sentiment is one of Kannada cinema’s favourite themes, so much so that the idea is used as an excuse to sell jaded, illogical, and mind-numbing poor stories.

In ‘Pogaru’, the hero Shiva (Dhruva Sarja) becomes rogue because he grew up alone in an orphanage, missing his mother’s love. He cannot forgive his mother for marrying another man. His disappointment turns into irreparable anger towards society (only the director can justify this human behaviour) as Shiva does everything possible to petrify people around him. He is aimless and finds happiness in lawless activities that fetch him quick money.

In today’s times, it is excruciating to sit through such stereotypes that demean women. Shiva preaches, manhandles, and verbally threatens women around him, including the heroine (Rashmika), of course. What’s worse is that despite his unforgivable acts, the women babysit him because he is ‘a man with a golden heart’. Even to this date, ‘masala’ filmmakers’ fascination towards the ‘macho man flooring a timid girl’ remains strong as ever.

To see ‘Pogaru’ even from the lens of a ‘commercial cinema entertainer’ is difficult because no effort has gone into building strong character arcs. The film gets muddled in its contrasting plot points. Despite being ill-treated by the hero throughout the film, people of the locality pray for Shiva’s safety in the climax. Without receiving an iota of respect from him, the heroine welcomes Shiva in her life with open arms. In a way, the film’s upholding of the toxic patriarchal culture is glaring.

What about the villain? Well, there are a dozen, including four world-famous bodybuilders. All for a story that is as old as the hills. To see people in power encroaching the land of the underprivileged and eventually get bashed by the hero’s Superman-like powers is yawn-inducing. The makers marketed the film as an ambitious project with four years in the making. Isn’t that enough time for a good script?

The film is a delight for the ‘Gandhi class’ audience. One can only hope that their celebrations will end right at the exit doors and nothing from the film is taken seriously.

Two concluding and sad facts. Dhruva Sarja’s talent has been trapped in the ‘superstar’ image and Chandan Shetty has made a disappointing acting debut.