Mahira Movie Review: A well-crafted, novel attempt 

Debutant Mahesh Gowda's Mahira is highly influenced by Hollywood films, but its treatment is what makes the film stand out.  Even with a lesser-known face like Virginia Rodrigues in the lead,  the director keeps the audience engaged throughout the film with his sensible plot filled with ample suspense.

 Maya (Virginia Rodrigues), a wanted criminal, is on the run with her daughter Aadya (Chaithra Achar). The duo gets chased by undercover cops. The investigation reveals the real identity of the mother and daughter and the intentions behind their actions. Will Maya be proven guilty or will she be freed? answers the rest of the plot. 

Cast: Virginia Rodrigues, Chaithra Achar, Raj B Shetty and Balaji Manohar
Director: Mahesh Gowda

Though the basic premise is interesting he stretches the film with repeated scenes and the character introduction feels endless. The exchange between the mother-daughter also sounds illogical at times. In an attempt to present a strong protagonist he ends up overdoing things and his lead is nothing short of a Supergirl. She hits men twice her size, offers advice to the intelligence department with confidence, and even breaks a bank locker.  

Despite all this, the performance of Virginia keeps us invested in the film. Her theatre background helps her excel in the role and she also manages to ace the action sequences.  Chaithra Achar gives an equally competent performance as the daughter. 

Raj B Shetty plays an important role in the film. Knowing what he is capable of as an actor, his contribution to the film does feel a little underwhelming.  The other actors Balaji Manohar, Dilip Raj, Gopal Krishna Deshpande, K P Sridhar, Babu Hirannaiah, Apoorva Som and Shaukat Ali fit well into the picture.
While situational songs composed by Nilima Rao and Rakesh U P seamlessly blend with the narration, it is Midhun Mukundan’s background score that takes the story forward. 

Mahira is a well-crafted novel attempt, and definitely a worthy watch.