Bharaate Movie Review: An all-round entertainer from Sriimurali and Chethan Kumar

Director Chethan Kumar, who is a firm believer in commercial cinema, sticks to his strengths in his third outing as well. Catering to popular tastes, Bharaate brings across Chethan’s brand of cinema, but interestingly, this action entertainer also sees Sriimurali subliminally pushing forward his image.

Director: Chethan Kumar
Cast: Sriimurali, Sreeleela, Sai Kumar, Ravi Shankar, Tara

Throughout the love-revenge drama, you get to hear the shloka, "Om Trayambakam Yajamahe, Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam," which is also played for Jaganmohan’s (Sriimurali) introduction. A part-time guide living in Jodhpur, he comes from a family that has been practising Ayurveda for centuries. He leads an ordinary life with his parents (Sumanth and Tara). On the instructions of an astrologer, Jaganmohan, when he turns 27, pays a visit to Durgapura with his mother to offer prayers to ward off evil. At Durgapura, Jaganmohan finds out the truth about his roots.

Around the same time, he fancies Radha (Sreeleela), who hails from a royal family. While Radha reciprocates his feelings, she is also worried about him getting caught in the clutches of her grandfather and brothers, who are particular about deciding who her partner would be. Jaganmohan then sets across to win her over and convince her family.

Sriimurali takes on a dual role for the first time in Bharaate, which has an elaborate storyline that is shot with vibrant colours. Topics like the significance of Ayurveda and local history and a subtle reference to local politics are slipped into the fast-paced action film throughout the runtime. By setting the film against a royal backdrop, the director provides space for macho scenes, interspersed with family sentiments and human emotions. The hero, a firm believer in Buddhism, fights with no weapons against a plethora of enemies sporting guns and machetes. Lines of Buddha’s preachings are brought into the movie with symbolic representations of various deities.

Chethan’s spin on the classic revenge saga comprises a huge star cast, and there are several familiar faces in the movie, including the three brothers — Sai Kumar, Ravi Shankar and Ayyappa Sharma — appearing together in one frame for the first time. However, too many characters and subplots make this a tough watch.

For Sriimurali, however, it is a tailor-made role, which puts him on the centrestage and gives him some cracking dialogues. His macho look comes across in style as he romances the girl of his dreams, dances, and also ends up becoming a saviour to many. Present in almost every frame, he also plays the role of the grandfather. Giri, Alok / All Ok, and Sadhu Kokila deliver the comic element to the movie. This is Sreeleela’s second film, and she seems to be getting comfortable with being in front of the camera and delivers what the role demands. 

This is a potboiler that will likely end up doing well at the box office as it has something for everyone.