'KGF', starring Yash in the lead, hit the screens this Friday.  Here is our review of the action-adventure set in a bygone era.

Story:

Rocky (Yash), orphaned as a child, grows up to be a dreaded muscleman who consistently shakes Bombay in the 1960s.  He rules the crime world by targeting the system, among them policemen.  

The scene shifts to Bangalore in the 1970s when he is drafted for an assassination.  Meanwhile in Kolar Gold Fields, some sharks are becoming richest people by smuggling gold.   

When he comes to Bangalore, Rocky is least prepared for a bigger fight, which he stumbles upon during the interval block.  What is that agenda?  HOw does he achieve it?  In the process, what does he gain or lose?  That's the rest of the story.  

Analysis:

'KGF' is made as a hero-centric film.  Yash is like a superstar in Kannada and it's understandable that he gets whole elevation episodes (not just scenes or shots).  Even by the standards of a Boyapati Srinu, director Prashanth Neel goes for detailed elevation moments.  The "build up" of the hero goes on and on and on.  Dons and criminals, policemen and land sharks are scared of him at every moment.

All of this works to an extent.  Rocky is a grey character, even a villain, who wants to become powerful like Mahesh Babu's Surya in 'Businessman'.  The characterization is apt and the screenplay's non-linear style makes the cut in the first half.

The proceedings are not straightforward and it's a plus.  Even the hero bumping into the heroine (Srinidhi Shetty) is not regular, although Rocky's attitude and language do remind one of some Kollywood onscreen leads.  

The narration does seem confusing after a point.  Too many characters are introduced and they are sketchy.  

The oversized focus on heroism takes the zing out of the proceedings.  Yash is a big name in Sandalwood but what about Telugu, Tamil and Hindi?  How are these audiences going to take this multi-lingual where Yash is indulged as if he is a Salman Khan plus Vijay plus whoever-else-is-big?

The narration takes a beating whenever it turns generic here and there.  For example, Rocky's behaviour with the heroine is contemporary and doesn't mirror the times in which the film is set in.

One too many actors just enter and exit and re-enter without registering themselves.  Yash makes a thorough impact as a menacing guy who has got cocky eyes.  

Ravi Basrur's BGM is cool, while Bhuvan Gowda's cinematography is nimble.  Hanuman Chowdhary's dialogues are creative.  

Verdict:

'KGF' is a mixed bag where imaginative story-telling is partly blighted by over-indulgence and some confusion.  The technical departments do a sincere job.

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