Film; Dalaari
written and directed by Kachidi Gopal Reddy.
Starring; Rajeev Kanakala, Shakalaka Shankar, Sritej, Aqsa Khan and Rupika,
produced; by Adavelli Venkat Reddy.
Banner;AK;Akruthi creations
Music; Gowrahari
Release date; 15/12/2023
Moviemanthra.com;Rating 3/5
‘Dalari’ is written and directed by Kachidi Gopal Reddy. Starring Rajeev Kanakala, Shakalaka Shankar, Sritej, Aqsa Khan and Rupika, the film has been produced by Adavelli Venkat Reddy. It was released in theatres today.
Plot:
Venkat Reddy (Rajeev Kanakala) leads a political party with service as its agenda. His rivalry with CI Vikram (Sritej) leads to an unexpected arrest.
Abhi (Shakalaka Shankar) becomes Venkat Reddy’s trusted lieutenant. He is more than a foot soldier and may become his leader’s protector. A twist in the pre-climax phase results in life-altering consequences for both Venkat and Abhi aka Bhavani.
Performances:
Rajeev Kanakala, as a middleman who goes on to become an influential figure in his town, delivers an earnest performance. His scenes with his foes are good. Shakalaka Shankar, who gets to play a college-goer grappling with two women (played by Aqsa Khan and Rupika) is able. His character is multi-dimensional, unlike Kanakala’s.
Sritej of ‘NTR: Mahanayakudu’ fame is good in the role of a cop whose character is meaty. Get-up Srinu and Auto Ramprasad are seen as good-for-nothing Engineering students whiling away their time. Racha Ravi and ‘RX 100’ fame Laxman, respectively, play an incel and a sidekick of Shankar’s character. Giridhar and Gemini Suresh are also seen. Suresh Kondeti plays a cameo and is seen as a publisher. Comedian Prudhviraj is seen in a cameo alongside the ‘Gabbar Singh’ batch.
Technical Departments:
Mentum Sathish’s cinematography is subpar. Hari Gowra’s music is average. The songs are not the mainstay of the film; on the bright side, they don’t interrupt the flow. The stunts by Prudhvi could have been better.
Merits:
1. The changing dynamics between Abhi and Venkat Reddy.
2. The arc of the character played by Shakalaka Shankar. The climax is topped with an emotional touch.
3. Setting the story against the backdrop of the middlemen system and the rotten Benami system.
4. The scenes involving Shankar and Laxman Meesala.
5. The police vs Venkat Reddy track is respectable. The twist in the pre-climax phase is interesting.
6. Sritej’s character acquires prominence as the story progresses.
Demerits:
1. The ecosystem of the middleman should have been shown more compellingly.
2. The transition from the triangular love story to the action backdrop could have been more convincing.
3. The female leads are sidelined in the second half.
4. The college campus scenes could have been written with more creativity.
Vox Verdict:
‘Dalari’ explores the complexities of the dalari system in Indian society. Rajeev Kanakala, Sritej and Shankar play well-rounded characters in this action entertainer with an emotional climax.
