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Dasara movie review: Nani-starrer raw and gritty tale derailed by poor narration
Dasara movie review: Nani’s film is a heartfelt attempt from the makers, but falters due to poor narration. However, Nani shines in the layered character.

Despite his best efforts, Nani hasn’t had a genuine hit since 2019’s Jersey. Having tried his hand at anti-hero, re-birth and comedy, the actor has now bet big on a story set in rustic Telangana. In fact, this is the biggest film of his career with a reported budget of over Rs 60 crore and a release in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam languages. Nani has openly declared that the film will be a massive hit and the debutant director, Shrikanth Odela, who assisted Sukumar on ‘Nannaku Prematho’ and ‘Rangasthalam’ earlier, will be his biggest contribution to the film industry. Nani aggressively promoted the film in Mumbai and parts of north India with the film’s trailer getting decent traction across India. Dasara also reunites Nani with Keerthy Suresh after 2017’s hit Nenu Local, and her deglamorized look in the promos has evoked keen interest. So, the story of a rugged, foul-mouthed coal thief, with the feel of Pushpa, has evoked a lot of interest.
Dasara is the story of friendship between Dharani (Nani) and Soori (Deekshith Shetty) and the love they have for Vennela (Keerthy Suresh). Set in a coal mining village of Veerlapalli, Dasara is also the story about the hard life the people in these parts lead. Shivanna (Samuthirakani), Chinna Nambi (Shine Tom Chacko) and Rajanna (Sai Kumar) represent both the liquor mafia and political power in the town. Teenager Dharani is in love with his friend Vennela, but before he can muster the courage to tell her, his close friend Soori tells him that he loves her. Dharani promptly withdraws and whole-heartedly supports Soori in his wooing of Vennela. Between their coal-thieving escapades and constant boozing, Dharani convinces the families of Soori and Vennela to get them married with the assurance that Soori would get into a steady job. Focused on confirming this alliance, Dharani unknowingly gets involved in local politics as the next-generation representative of Pedda Nambi family decides to have the panchayat sarpanch post for himself. How the politics plays havoc in their personal lives, and also in the village life, forms the rest of the story. In the process, the friendship and love stories are tested, the foundations of the village life and structure are tested and real love emerges as the winner.
Watch the trailer of Dasara starring Nani
The first half of the film runs at an uneven pace as too many things need to be established. The friendship among the lead characters comes out really nicely, particularly the bonding between Soori and Dharani. Dharani’s deeper love for Vennela also gets established in a simple sequence quite effectively. The way the local bar, Silk Bar, becomes a looming presence in the village life is shown in a novel way. However, the life surrounding mines is hardly established except in the ash filled surroundings and soot ridden air. The second half of the movie runs at a quicker pace. As Chinna Nambi’s (Tom Chacko) true colors are revealed, Dharani’s task is clear and cut out before him. Though his status with Vennela has changed now, he still cannot reveal his love for her openly. Nani showcases his suppressed love very well, with a scene between Nani and Keerthy becoming a highlight in the film. Perhaps the struggle between these two needed more time before the climax. After a huge climax sequence, and a brief break in the main events, the film concludes with a sequence at the Silk Bar again.
Maybe writer-director Shrikanth had too much on his plate as he had to showcase liquor trade, village politics, caste angle in the society, friendship and finally the love story. He is unable to weave in the various threads into the film. The ambition to reach a pan-India audience also perhaps weighed heavily on him. Samuthirakani’s character is given a positive ending with no real purpose in the story. Villain Chinna Nambi reveals a great secret to Vennela, which is not very convincing.
Shine Tom Chacko as Chinna Nambi tries his best to look mean and act tough. But as he himself does not get directly involved in many events, his villainy doesn’t amount to much. Sai Kumar did well within the parameters of his role. Samuthirakani perhaps needed a more nuanced writing with his character, Dheekshith, did well. Keerthy surprises with her ease and has a good grasp of the setting and dialect. Nani shines in the layered character.
Santhosh Narayan’s songs have already emerged as hits, and serve the story well. Avinash Kolla’s sets appear very authentic. Sathyan Sooryan’s camera also brings more depth to the film. Overall, Nani’s Dasara is a heartfelt attempt from the makers, but falters due to poor narration. Can be watched for the authentic dialect, and raw and gritty performances from the lead.
Dasara movie cast: Nani, Keerthy Suresh, Dheekshith Shetty, Sai Kumar, Samuthirakani, Santosh Narayan
Dasara movie director: Shrikanth Odela
Dasara movie rating: 3 stars


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