<p>Despite the different genres Yogaraj Bhat has attempted at making, the glorious success of <em>Mungaru Male</em> (2007) has led him into a romantic stereotype. </p> <p>Turn aside, Garadi manes (wrestling houses) — once the darling of fitness freaks and adventure enthusiasts — are fast disappearing. <em>Garadi</em>, while helping Bhat to expand his repertoire, seeks to popularise a flagging sport.<br><br>Set in a small town in Old Mysore, the plot focusses on Soori (Yashas Surya), a boy from a wrestling family, orphaned early by his father's death and brother's imprisonment. He is raised by Pailwan Rangappa (B C Patil) and aspires to be the king of the ring despite being forbidden from doing so. Landlord Shivappa Rane's (Ravishankar), desperation to produce a wrestling champion results in his sons Dodda Rane and Chikka Rane (Sujay Belur) becoming wrestlers. With the five-yearly tournament fast approaching and the village eager to win back the shield after decades, things take sudden turns with the female lead Kabbali's (Sonal Monteiro) entry into the equation.<br><br>Bhat's audacious venture at this stage of his career into an action cinema with a highly specialised theme deserves applause. Images of the traditional sport are firmly installed in the minds of the Kannadiga through two of sandalwood's greatest films, <em>Naagarahaavu</em> (1972) and <em>Mayura</em> (1975). The film seeks to further this legacy.</p>.Challenging the idea of strength: Professional Basketballer tries out Tai Chi.<p><br><br>Inspite of the rich overcoat, the film suffers from a weak first-half and apparent loose-ends — exposed clearly in early second half in a critical scene. The screenplay could have been tighter — for instance, the Instagram reel-related shenanigans could have been underplayed.<br><br>Yashas Surya comes out with a power-packed performance while Sonal Monteiro shifts gears well in accordance with changing pitches in the plot. Darshan impresses with a cameo that provides the film a late but much-needed boost. Ravishankar's performance as a villain has Arumuga's ('Kempegowda') stamp on it, but impresses nonetheless. B C Patil is laudable in an M P Shankar-style wrestling guru role. The music by Harikrishna is fresh and the title song leaves a mark!<br><br>Its flaws notwithstanding, <em>Garadi</em> is an important film on a traditional sport in the days of gym and drugs. Watch it to relive the past but don't expect the book to be as grand as the cover.</p>
<p>Despite the different genres Yogaraj Bhat has attempted at making, the glorious success of <em>Mungaru Male</em> (2007) has led him into a romantic stereotype. </p> <p>Turn aside, Garadi manes (wrestling houses) — once the darling of fitness freaks and adventure enthusiasts — are fast disappearing. <em>Garadi</em>, while helping Bhat to expand his repertoire, seeks to popularise a flagging sport.<br><br>Set in a small town in Old Mysore, the plot focusses on Soori (Yashas Surya), a boy from a wrestling family, orphaned early by his father's death and brother's imprisonment. He is raised by Pailwan Rangappa (B C Patil) and aspires to be the king of the ring despite being forbidden from doing so. Landlord Shivappa Rane's (Ravishankar), desperation to produce a wrestling champion results in his sons Dodda Rane and Chikka Rane (Sujay Belur) becoming wrestlers. With the five-yearly tournament fast approaching and the village eager to win back the shield after decades, things take sudden turns with the female lead Kabbali's (Sonal Monteiro) entry into the equation.<br><br>Bhat's audacious venture at this stage of his career into an action cinema with a highly specialised theme deserves applause. Images of the traditional sport are firmly installed in the minds of the Kannadiga through two of sandalwood's greatest films, <em>Naagarahaavu</em> (1972) and <em>Mayura</em> (1975). The film seeks to further this legacy.</p>.Challenging the idea of strength: Professional Basketballer tries out Tai Chi.<p><br><br>Inspite of the rich overcoat, the film suffers from a weak first-half and apparent loose-ends — exposed clearly in early second half in a critical scene. The screenplay could have been tighter — for instance, the Instagram reel-related shenanigans could have been underplayed.<br><br>Yashas Surya comes out with a power-packed performance while Sonal Monteiro shifts gears well in accordance with changing pitches in the plot. Darshan impresses with a cameo that provides the film a late but much-needed boost. Ravishankar's performance as a villain has Arumuga's ('Kempegowda') stamp on it, but impresses nonetheless. B C Patil is laudable in an M P Shankar-style wrestling guru role. The music by Harikrishna is fresh and the title song leaves a mark!<br><br>Its flaws notwithstanding, <em>Garadi</em> is an important film on a traditional sport in the days of gym and drugs. Watch it to relive the past but don't expect the book to be as grand as the cover.</p>