Preetham Gubbi’s obsession with love stories does stun. His ability to weave stories through human emotions is made of classic material. He proved it as a script writer for Mungaru Male. With Boxer, while he has again interlaced feelings, what stands out is strength he has been able to bring in the fragile contrasts of emotions.
While the combination of love and rage has been tried umpteen times, Gubbi manages to nudge excellence in his own way, but his success comes in the contrast in his characters. While Raja (Dhananjay), a street boxer represents ruggedness and power, Lakshmi (Kruthika Jayakumar) as a blind girl depicts helplessness. The contrast is applaudable when the characterisation gets a reversal - Raja’s helplessness and Lakshmi’s inner strength taking their love to its destined abode.
While the first half has the subtleness of their love, the second half packs all the punches that Raja can deliver, for Lakshmi to be able to see again. Will their love stand as strength and overcome the dangers encircling them and how does Raja win in the ring of love forms the crux of Boxer.While the two characters drive the screenplay, the film has its setbacks. Especially, the under utilisation of the strength in the antagonist’s character played by Charandeep and his acting prowess.
Boxer gives ample space for Dhananjay to showcase his talent and he does a good job. While he gets comfortable with love based subjects, he treats his audiences to an array of boxing stunts choreographed by Ravi Verma, which is quite astonishing. His artistic capabilities packed with versatility will take him a long way.
Just one film old, Kruthika Jayakumar shines. Showcasing the helplessness of a visually impaired girl while balancing it with the courage to be independent, aptitude oozes out with her good act.
The performances of support artistes Rangayana Raghu and Sumithra along with fine background music and a couple of melodies by V Harikrishna make Boxer more appealing. The cinematographer Preetha Jayaraman’s picturisation adds more grace; the natural scenes creating a somber mood to this romantic-action subject. For sure, this films packs all the right punches with just a few misses.