Bheema Kannada Movie Review – The South First

Bheema is written and directed by Duniya Vijay

‘Bheema’ is written and directed by Duniya Vijay. (X)

Bheema (Kannada)

10-08-2024,
Action thriller,
2 hours 28 minutes
A

Theater

Main cast:Vijaya Kumar, Ashwini Ambrish, Priya Shatamarshan, Dragon Manju, Ranganaya Raghu, Achyuth Kumar, Ramesh Indira, Gopalkrishna Deshpande, Kalyani and Cockroach Sudhir
Director:Vijaya Kumar
Producer:Krishna Sarthak and Jagadeesh Gowda
Music Director:Charan Raj
Cinematography:Shiva Sena

Vijaya Kumar’s second directorial outing Bheema in which he plays the title role. The film is set in the underworld of Bengaluru, against the backdrop of drug trafficking and sales.

When local villain Bheema becomes an ally of the police to bust the drug mafia, a bloody saga ensues to catch the perpetrators.

Of To sleep (2021) Vijaya Kumar proved his worth as a captivating filmmaker who knows how to tell stories about the underworld of Bengaluru in a raw, gritty way. Bheema is a step forward in the same direction.

This time, with the drug problem as a background, he tries to show the harmful consequences of substance abuse and addiction.

The film starts off interestingly with the actor-filmmaker building the world around JC Road and its adjoining areas. It starts with Java Ramanna, who is like a mentor to Bheema, who loses his son to drug addiction and realises that one of his boys, Dragon Manja, is selling drugs in their garage without his knowledge.

From here begins the basis and tone of the film, which takes a stern stance against drug abuse.

VK29: Jadesh Hampi announces his next with Duniya Vijay

A fascinating world lost in translation

‘Bheema’ is an action thriller. (X)

The way Vijaya Kumar constructs the world in Bheema is both a blessing and a curse.

It is commendable how the audience is made to feel that they are part of the alleys around JC Road, Kalasipalya and the hidden corners of Bengaluru.

At the same time, you often get the feeling that the filmmaker goes too far in his authenticity to this world, thereby shortchanging the original message of the film, namely his anti-drug abuse stance.

Throughout the film, he introduces far too many characters and caricatures that show the many layers of Bengaluru. In his mission to flesh out these characters and give them their storylines, the film almost seems to become a series of sketches of different characters that lie in the gut rather than one compelling story or purpose that drives the narrative.

Fantastic casting and powerful dialogues

Charan Raj composed the music for the film. (X)

What works for Bheema and what keeps the film afloat throughout its two-and-a-half hour running time is the formidable cast.

The one who stands out is Priya Shatamarshan as the no-nonsense cop Girija, who takes on the meanest of bad guys and impresses with a brilliant performance. You just wish she wasn’t shortchanged in the climax, because the filmmaker has played the stands.

Another interesting aspect of the casting is that there are many new and talented actors, which keeps the rawness and believability of the film intact.

Apart from the casting, the dialogues are tailored to the frontbenchers and there are no filters, which gives the film an “A” certificate, along with the excessive violence of course.

A Vijaya Kumar Cinematic Universe is loading

Without giving any spoilers, the filmmaker has also presented a cinematic universe with a glimpse of an aged Salaga at the end of the film, promising a crossover story featuring both Salaga and Bheema.

While this film may not have the most compelling storylines, there is still plenty to enjoy for its target audience.

Last Opinion

To sleep stands out bigger and has a better story compared to Bheemabut that still doesn’t stop someone who is really interested in checking it out Bheema.

The film can be a good training ground for aspiring filmmakers in understanding world building and characters. As for the plot, the less said the better.

(The opinions expressed here are personal.)

(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)

(South First is now on WhatsApp and Telegram)