Title: Balaramana Dinagalu, Producer: Padmavathi Films, Padmavathi Jayaram and Shreyas, Director: KM Chaitanya, Music: Santosh Narayan, Cinematography: HC Venugopal, Cast: Vinod Prabhakar, Priya Anand, Pratap Narayan, Ramesh Indira, Avinash, Dragon Manju, Ashish Vidyarthi, KS Sridhar, Anil Siddu, Ashwin Haasan, Vinay Gowda, Atul Kulkarni, Anil and others.
Coming to the underworld is nothing but a ticket to demise for many. A few reform, but their inner feelings remain different. Right from the days of Jogi in Kannada cinema, many underworld subjects have surfaced. The same director who made Aa Dinagalu in 2007 showcased the underworld with dexterity and class. After 19 years, director Chaitanya appears to have bowed to commercial demands, and that, in fact, drags the film to 151 minutes. He also deviates from his screenplay without continuity at several points, making portions of the film look mediocre. As the film declares that it is set in 1985, certain things are taken for granted.
The tale of Balarama is nothing new when compared to earlier underworld stories. The extra essence lies in his good intentions, which are mixed with nefarious activities that are wrong in the eyes of the law.
The director takes a safeguard at the beginning of the film by stating that the characters are not connected to or related to anyone. Yet, he showcases characters resembling former underworld figures such as Jayaraj, Kotwal Ramachandra and Muthappa Rai. With gang wars at the forefront, the action drama unfolds with family sentiment and romance mixed into the narrative. What the director contributes beyond this expected commercial formula is nothing extraordinary.
Like in innumerable films, the days of village boy Bala alias Balarama (Vinod Prabhakar) in Bengaluru during the 1985 era are filled with shocks and surprises. Unexpectedly, he pushes aside Binda and earns a position in Jayaraj’s underworld gang. Balarama’s journey showcases his grit, determination and loyalty. There is also a pinch of goodness in him, even while making hefty sums through ransom deals.
Balarama’s strength grows rapidly, and he falls in love with Revathi (Priya Anand), a school teacher and the daughter of retired military officer Devaiah (Avinash). Against all odds, Balarama saves a colony inhabited by poor people. In the process, he crosses the limits set by his boss, Jayaram. Enter Monappa Rai (Ramesh Indira) and his gang with guns and revolvers, making matters even tougher.
In a give-and-take policy, Balarama encounters Monappa Rai and succeeds in restoring the lost land to the poor people. However, the ego clash between the two continues to build. Eventually, Balarama is forced to spend a few years behind bars. Inside prison, Balarama faces some more stunning and unexpected turns that are best watched on screen.
It is yet another interesting role for Vinod Prabhakar. He effectively portrays a mixture of emotions, including love, gratitude and vengeance. Priya Anand has an absorbing role and performs well. Avinash, Ramesh Indira, Ashish Vidyarthi, Pratap Narayan, Ashwin Haasan, Anil Siddu as Pathaan, and others fit their roles perfectly.
The dialogues are well written for the film. Dialogues such as “Kadidre Bangalore Ardha Baaduta Hako Agidya…” directed at Dragon Manju by Balarama (Vinod Prabhakar), “Border Alli Desha Kayon, Olagade Kapadikollalu Agtilla, I am lost…” by Avinash, “Prapanchada Ketta Chata Adu Hata…”, “Khaki, Khadi, Kavi Kai Kottaga Nav Entry Kodthivi…”, and “Nim Field Alli Hesaru Belitha, Ayassu Ilitha Irutth…” by cop Pratap Narayan stand out. Another notable line is, “Duddu Elli Bekadru Dudiyabahudu, Maryade Elli Kalkondvo Alle Padibeku,” by protagonist Vinod Prabhakar.
With a reputed name in music, Santosh Narayan has delivered a few catchy numbers for Balaramana Dinagalu. Songs like “Shuru Shuru Ale Hrudayadali…” and “Quarter Mele Sixty Haaku…” are interesting and memorable. Veteran cinematographer HC Venu has done a fine job. His experience has contributed significantly to creating the period mood and atmosphere of the film.
Balaramana Dinagalu is a film that takes viewers back to the underworld days of yesteryear. KM Chaitanya has tried hard to maintain a smooth flow throughout the film, though the commercial packaging and stretched runtime dilute some of its impact.
