The name of ‘Rakkasapuradhol’ might imply a typical crime thriller, but as the curtains are thrown up, it becomes a mosaic of human psychology, supernatural terror, and scientific inquiry. The movie, which was directed by Ravi Saranga and produced by Ravivarma, played in theaters today, grabbed the court in no uncertain terms with its rich storytelling and its premium production values.
A Police Procedural With a Twist. Raj B. Shetty, with his characteristic experimental spirit, assumes the role of a policing Inspector with a twist. He is not the usual "super cop" but a man afflicted by psychological issues beyond reproach. He is shifted to a mysterious village called Rakkasapura, which also appears to contain just as dark secrets as his own.
The story quickly thickens when he arrives. A string of grisly, serial killings start to plague the village, a prospect that leaves the reader with an immediate question: Is the advent of such a troubled officer linked with these murders, exactly? The needle of doubt is passed between such eccentric villagers and the audience from one villager to the next, forcing us to guess like a hawk.
Supernatural vs. Science. What makes Rakkasapuradhol unique is the way it crosses genres. Just when you get settled into a murder mystery, the movie blends horror. The villagers do suspect a malevolent spirit may be a major reason for the carnage, while the film’s protagonist tries to piece together some rational, scientific thinking. It is between superstition and science that the film is fundamentally about. It is director Ravi Saranga who keeps the suspense tight. The second half is heavy with "seat-of-the-pants" twists that even serious thriller fans will find hard to anticipate. Most impressively, although there is horror, suspense, and in fact well-timed comedy, the movie feels never cluttered.
Superior Technical and Performing Style. The technical department is the mainstay of this atmospheric thriller. I like the very well-orchestrated cinematography of William David, who sets up Rakkasapura with an eerie, claustrophobic atmosphere well, as well as his cinematography of course. It’s Arjun Janya’s background score, however, that is everything behind the scene–exacerbating tension throughout scenes and providing the film with a haunting voice identity.
Though Raj B. Shetty provides an unrivaled performance in the vivacious but serious performing officer’s role as a career-changing figure, the supporting cast who came by the name of Swathishta Krishnan, Archana Kottige, B. Suresha, and Gopal Deshpande contribute to their characters with layers upon layers. At only 2 hours and 7 minutes, running at an easy pace without it stopping on a dime, the movie goes fast without leaving the audience scratching its head; a credit is given to those talented producers and screenwriters for the tight composition and tight editing.
The Verdict. For people who enjoy a multi-level cinema, Rakkasapuradhol is a treat. More than just being a horror fan, suspense lover, or simply a fan of Raj B. Shetty’s distinctive signature performances, the film has something for everyone. All with a gritty, engaging, and well-crafted mystery, it's proof points that Kannada cinema is pushing the frontier in genre-blending.
