Dharmam Movie Review:

Dharmam does not ask for comfort. From the very first sepia-toned title card that sets the story in the late 80s and early 90s, it showcases a period when power dictated life and cruelty had become routine in the village. Karimuttu (Sai Shashikumar) moves through this world with quiet defiance, carrying much of the film’s moral weight. Though this is a story told many times in Kannada cinema, Nagamukha Akki Alur presents it in a way that feels immediate, as if we are witnessing it firsthand rather than hearing it recounted.

The opening is harsh but measured: people are tortured by the police, a child’s cry pierces the air, and officials debate whether to file a report. Justice is selective, morality fragile, and peace fleeting. The line, “If your dharma is to survive, your caste must be destroyed,” arrives naturally, highlighting Karimuttu’s personal struggle and the larger moral conflict at the heart of the film.

Supporting characters often feel narrower in scope. Neela (Viranika Shetty) mostly reacts to events, while Maara (Bheeshma Ramaiah) and Manikyam (Ashok Hegde) embody the ruthless authority of the village elite. SK Ramakrishna as Doreswamy leaves a small but notable mark. Most of the cast are newcomers, and some show sparks of sincerity, while others fall short of carrying the emotional weight required, which occasionally softens key moments.

Cast: Sai Shashi Kumar, Viranika Shetty, SK Ramakrishna, Ashok Hegde, and Bheeshma Ramaiah

Director: Nagamukha Akki Alur

Technically, Dharmam is assured. Nagashetty Malagi’s cinematography and Nagamukha’s direction create a muted, almost suffocating palette, reflecting the village’s oppressive atmosphere. Swaminathan’s score supports the tension without ever drawing attention away from the story. The film is straightforward, and with no unnecessary subplots or drawn-out romance, it keeps the focus on the social and moral questions the film raises.

Karimuttu’s brooding presence works in parts, and Neela remains more symbolic than fully lived-in. Yet there is honesty here, a willingness to sit with discomfort. Dharmam asks viewers to consider power, oppression, and moral compromise. It doesn’t offer easy answers, nor does it try. It simply shows the cost of survival in a world shaped by caste and cruelty, and reminds us that moral choices are rarely clear, and bravery often comes in silence.