Film: DK
Director: Vijay Hampali
Starring: Prem, Chaitra
Director Vijay Hampali’s larger-than-life plot about politicians and elections is a mission executed by one man — DK — in a role well executed by Prem. And equally supported by the young and talented Chaitra Chandranath who plays the role of Subbulakshmi aka Keerthana in the film. In the opening sequence, an animated version of actor Jaggesh introduces us to Subbulakshmi, the fiesty heroine. She is considered a lucky mascot by her father (Sharat Lohitshva), an ambitious politician. Although he has three sons, he consults his daughter alone regarding his political career. In the next scene, Prem is introduced with a song that says ‘DK nahi, DK saab bolo’.
DK is an orphan who is brought up by his teacher. He is a street-smart local who dresses in a signature style with a colourful shirt and dark glasses. His mission in life is to ensure that Shivegowda does not win the elections. Enter Beedi Kumar (Shobharaj) who takes the help of DK to oppose Shivegowda.
The next bit of the film is a long cat- and-mouse chase between Subbulakshmi and DK at the end of which, they fall in love and get married without the consent of their family. The second half brings an interesting twist when the elections begin and this time the person standing against Shivegowda is no other than his own daughter, Subbulakshmi and she is put forward as a candidate by DK himself. In whose favour do the elections turn?
The premise is fairly ingenious for Sandalwood and the film is a political satire laced with some comic moments. There is an assemblage of many characters along with the four main leads and has all the makings of a gripping political film. However, what it ends up being is a lighthearted film with political elements.
The rumours doing the rounds was that DK was based on the politician DK Shivarakumar’s life and there is no trace of this in the film apart from a hat tip to the politician’s trademark style in the colourful ensembles and dark glasses worn by Prem in the film.
Prem is bang on with his body language and nails it with his fiery tapori act as well as his turn as an angry young man, and it stays with you long after the film is over. His histrionics get a lot of attention as there is a fine line between the character and his actual personality. Debutante Chaitra Chandranath, has justified her role in every frame. It is very rare for a newcomer to get so much of screen time and she seems to have taken her responsibility very seriously and matches Prem all along the way.
The special number with Sunny Leone is nothing to write home about and cannot be the only reason to watch DK. Some of the dialogues sound formulaic and the background music is so loud that it clashes with the dialogues at times. The music by Arjun Janya is average while cinematography by SD Anand makes good use of the locations. Despite its occasional glitches, DK is okay enough for a watch.