Gang war without bloodshed!

Film: Aa Dinagalu

Cast: Chetan, Archana Shastri, Atul Kulkarni, Sharat Lohitashwa, Ashish Vidyarthi
Direction: Chaitanya

Since the days of ‘Om’ by Upendra, blood and abuses are synonymous with the movies shot around the theme of rowdyism. But here is a movie on rowdyism sans continuous bloodshed, volley of abuses and bawdy business! During times when there is no dearth for movies based on rowdyism or underworld stories, 'Aa Dinagalu', directorial debut of Chaitanya stands out with gripping narration (not all through the movie), beautiful cinematography and some memorable performances.
The movie based on Agni Shridhar's celebrated work 'Dadagiriya Dinagalu' centered around the goonda activities dating back to 1986, provides an insight into the bloody history of otherwise peace city. Focussing on the two major gangs of Bangalore, Aa Dinagalu is a best example for movie makers on how can one make a movie without shedding liters of blood! With the release of underworld don Jairaj (Ashish Vidyarthi) from prison, the ambience is set for supremacy over the city between Jairaj and Kotwal Ramachandra (Sharat Lohitashwa) who hatches many futile plans to end the supremacy of Jairaj.
Fight in underworld either happens due to money or girl. Here too, Chaitanya meticulously brings in the limping love story between a business magnet's son Chetan and a dance teacher Mallika (Archana Shastri) to kick off the rivalry between both gangs. But the story line up interspersed with sudden twists, gripping narration and carefully presented suspense holds you till the end without colouring the screen with gallons of blood. The narration whips up your rationale when you are ready to settle down with the story and unfolds another side of the same character.
Verisimilitude, blunt dialogues and screenplay free from vulgarity highlights the joint work of Agni Sridhar and Girish Karnad. Both Karnad and Atul Kulkarni who portray Agni Shridhar on movie have done excellent job. Atul's mannerisms offers treat to spectators. But more than anybody Sharat Lohitashwa steals the show with his splendid performance. His imitation of Kotwal reconstructs the horror for present generation which had gripped the city with considerable fear. Even though narration attempting to fail at places, director suddenly picks up with unexpected twists and corrects his error. What begins as a balance between the horrors of underworld and soothing love story, concludes as a celebratory piece of underworld by eclipsing the theme of love. Chetan has done full justice to his role of lover turned gangster and Archana Shastri impresses with here innocent beauty and portrayal of traumatic personality.

The hard work of the director in catching up with the minute details of dons and their appearance, activities of gangs deserves appreciation when many have considerable failed to convert a book into cinema. Ilayaraja's masterly skills and classic style colours the fearsome story line up with emotional attributes. Two songs testimonial to his reputation as a master musician be it a romantic flick or rowdyism movie. Title track written by Sumana Kittur and sung by Vijay Yesudas and Nanditha lingers for long and makes you hum.