Film: Hebbuli
Cast: Sudeep, Amala Paul, Ravi Kishan, Ravi Shankar
Director: S Krishna
Rating: 3.5/5
Hebbuli has been a craze, with its posters splashed across walls and blinking on many movie-lovers' mobile screens. After watching it, one comes out impressed most with the lead actor Sudeep. He plays a commando in director Krishna’s ode to patriotism. But then the hero loves his family as much as the nation, if not more, and that comes into play when he loses a brother.
The movie also brings to the fore Kichcha’s mysterious 'presence' and his artistic genius. The message of the film is terse: ‘If I can serve the Nation, I can protect my family too’, and the actor has shown courage in experimenting with his talent.
Sudeep is outstanding in the role, he not only looks every inch an army commando with his unique hairdo, but is able to convincingly convey his anger and love with ease. His character is ably supported by actors such as Ravi Kishan, Ravi Shankar and Kabir Duhan Singh.
Krishna and his team of writers deserve credit for taking a familiar soldier's story and also connecting it with family values. The film also takes us back to one episode of Satyamev Jayate. An incident from the episode is weaved well into the story, led by a character played by Ravichandran, and this eventually becomes the soul of the narrative. The subtle acting by the artistes allows the situations to speak for themselves.
The flipside of Hebbuli is its predictable climax. Amala Paul, who plays the role of a doctor, is glamorous and Chikkannaa lightens the otherwise tense story with his blink-and-miss scenes. The supporting cast includes Avinash and Kaveri among others.
Director Krishna, who was a cinematographer before helming films, has guided DoP A Karunakar ably. Arjun Janya has composed a fantasy-based introductory song and a couple of melodies, but it is the background score that is the winner.
The film will connect with the masses and has a social message. Our society honours soldiers and Hebbuli conveys that respect, and manages to raise his or her stature.