When society descends into chaos, only one relentless predator rises to demand justice.
Story
Vedant (Srimurali) is inspired from a young age by his mother’s stories to become a police officer and serve the people. His father (Achyut Prasad), also a policeman, instills a strong sense of justice in him. Upon his assignment to Mangalore, Karnataka, Vedant immediately begins taking down criminals with determination. However, his relentless actions draw the attention of higher authorities, who caution him against being too aggressive. Vedant is also devastated to learn that his father had once accepted a bribe, which shakes his belief in the system and leaves him disillusioned. He decides to step back and stops actively pursuing crimes in the area.
One day, a young girl, a victim of assault, tragically commits suicide by setting herself ablaze outside Vedant’s station, a moment that jolts him back into action. Driven by a renewed sense of purpose, Vedant adopts a new approach. He begins taking bribes openly, posing as a corrupt officer, yet secretly hunts down the criminals at night under the alias ‘Baghira.’ During his crusade, he uncovers a vast human trafficking ring operating out of Mangalore, led by the infamous criminal Rana (Garuda Ram).
The story unfolds as Vedant battles Rana’s syndicate and navigates the profound changes that meeting Rana brings to his life. To witness Vedant's journey and the choices he makes in this fight, one must watch the movie.
Analysis
Vigilante stories, featuring heroes who seek justice while concealing their identities, are rare on the Indian screen. In 2019, the Tamil film *Hero* (Shiva Karthikeyan's *Shakti* in Telugu) and Nani’s recent Telugu release *Saripodhaa Sanivaaram* were notable examples. Now, Srimurali's *Bagheera* joins this genre.
The premise of *Bagheera* mirrors that of iconic characters like *Batman*, where a vigilant hero, driven by responsibility, takes on the city’s criminal underbelly at night. Vedant, the protagonist, is a respected police officer who starts by tackling crime with sheer physical strength. Later, using his resources, he incorporates technology to outwit criminals. While this genre has high box-office potential with the right execution, *Bagheera* falls short in key areas.
The film’s first half is slow-paced. Vedant's motivation to become a police officer, influenced by his mother's stories, is convincing. However, the setup for him becoming a vigilante feels unconvincing; his transformation lacks the weight of a truly challenging struggle against the system. This works best when a hero, unable to face injustice through official channels, is forced to turn vigilante, but here, Vedant’s shift happens without significant pressure from his superiors. Nevertheless, some action scenes, such as the powerful sequence involving justice for a group of assailants, and the well-executed interval block stand out.
The second half, however, struggles to maintain momentum. The suspense between Vedant and the villain doesn’t build effectively, and the cat-and-mouse game is short-lived once the villain uncovers Vedant’s identity. The film then rushes towards its conclusion with two final action sequences. Rukmini Vasanth’s character is disappointingly underdeveloped, appearing briefly and disappearing before making any real impact.
As for the performances, Srimurali impresses as the vigilante Vedant, committing three years to bring this character to life. Garuda Ram delivers a menacing performance as the villain, adding intensity to his scenes. Rangayana Raghu shines as the head constable in a memorable supporting role, while the remaining cast is adequate in their roles. Overall, *Bagheera* has moments of potential but lacks the depth and pacing to fully capitalize on its vigilante theme.
Verdict
Overall, Bagheera primarily appeals to fans of intense action sequences. While the film delivers some thrilling action moments, it falls short in narrative depth and character development, making it a less impactful experience outside of its well-crafted fight scenes.
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