It would have been a strategic as well as a well-meant thought, if the makers of Agraja had presented the film to the public before they voted. However, Agraja directed by Srinandan serves as a cautionary tale to people who themselves are hand-in-glove with the corrupt, power-wielding officials. The layers that portray the dynamics between public, government and the legal system are well showcased in a plot that focusses on corruption and black money.
The film revolves around the themes of contingency, fate and coincidence and two main characters - Siddharth aka Sidda (Jaggesh) and Charandas (Darshan), an IAS officer. Sidda is a broker, popular among higher officials and politicians and an expert in tackling any issue which requires a back door entry. Everybody seeks his help in pushing a file and getting the work done. Having been involved in all wrongdoings, he acts like a pimp and caters to the needs of politicians and officials.
Charandas, an IAS officer, who is initially portrayed as a corrupt official, but later realises his mistake, swears to work for the society. Even Sidda, while on the wrong path slowly becomes conscious of his misdeeds. The twist comes when he makes some candid confessions on a TV show.
Whether his honesty will work is what the rest of the film is all about. The film features a host of characters and a compelling climax that compensates for its length. The present day corruption is accurately profiled with an incisive message in the end.
In a strong star cast, Darshan shines in a small but neat role. But the subdued work by Jaggesh shows how underplaying can sometimes work best before the camera. The film also has a collection of supporting actors like Kamna Jethmalani, Sanjjanaa, Arundhati, Adhya Gowda, Suchindraprasad, Om Prakash Rao, among others. Santosh and Manju Prasad have penned some hard hitting dialogues for this movie. Nothing much to mention about music by Nandhan Raj and Ramesh Babu’s cinematography.
The script could have been tight for this kind of a film, where the screenplay provides a voyage into the sea of politics and corruption. But the result is a fascinating film which sometimes feels like a documentary.
Verdict: Agraja is a prophetic glimpse into the present political and public scenario in the age of television.
Film: Agraja
Cast: Darshan, Jaggesh, Kamna Jethmalini, Sanjjanaa
Director: Srinandan
First day first show
Hatrick hero Shivarajkumar, who was busy with election campaign with his wife in Shimoga returned to Bangalore yesterday. Shivarajkumar took time out on Friday morning and watched the film Agraja along with his friend Jaggesh at Kapali Theatre. Also seen was Sanjjanaa who had come with her parents to catch the flick