One-Line Review: Dasara marks a quality debut for Srikanth Odela with some of the finest performers leading at the forefront.
Dasara Youtube Trailer
Cast: Nani, Keerthy Suresh, etc.
Release Date: March 30, 2023
Director: Srikanth Odela
Srikanth Odela makes an assured directorial debut with the Telugu film ‘Dasara’, exploring caste politics in a mainstream format, backed by good performances from the cast led by Nani and Keerthy Suresh
~ The Hindu
Introduction
Dharani, a small time criminal transforms to a revenge-seeking man after a violent occurrence towards his loved one.
Our rating for Dasara is 7/10.
Summary
Welcome to the dust-choked village of Veerlapally, a place drowning in cheap liquor and toxic masculinity. Here, life for women is a daily struggle, trapped under the iron-fisted rule of its men, who roam with a rogue and dominant mindset.
Amidst this harsh reality lives Dharani, a fiery, good-hearted hustler who survives by stealing coal from passing trains. His world revolves around his best friends, Suri and the beautiful Vennela. Though he secretly loves Vennela, Dharani is crushed to learn that her heart belongs to Suri. Swallowing his own pain, he selflessly buries his feelings, vowing to bring his two friends together.
Dharani’s loyalty knows no bounds; he even helps Suri land a job to pave the way for his wedding to Vennela. However, this simple act of friendship puts them directly in the crosshairs of the village’s corrupt and powerful elite, marking them as targets for their dangerous rage.
On what should have been the happiest day of their lives, joy turns to horror. In a shocking act of violence, ruthless enemies ambush the friends, and Suri is brutally murdered before Dharani’s eyes. The wedding celebration shatters, leaving only devastation in its wake.
Left with nothing but grief and a burning rage, a shattered Dharani and Vennela unite. Their shared quest for vengeance becomes more than just personal revenge; it ignites a fire that will forge a new destiny for Veerlapally. Together, they begin a battle for the very soul of their village, determined to break the cycle of cruelty once and for all.
Review
Dasara brilliantly threads the needle between a raw, gritty drama and a crowd-pleasing masala entertainer. While the film boasts a well-written political storyline, it’s the towering performances from its cast that truly elevate the movie to another level. Though the dramatic scenes occasionally slow the narrative’s pace, the magnetic pairing of Nani and Keerthy Suresh keeps the screen buzzing with excitement.
Undoubtedly, the film’s biggest draw is Nani’s stunning transformation into the character of Dharani. Audiences have never seen him this raw and ferocious before. Shedding his familiar “lover boy” persona, Nani undertakes a total makeover for this role, and he absolutely masters it. Matching him step for step, Keerthy Suresh is brilliant as Vennela, convincingly mastering the regional slang and sharing a refreshing, heartfelt chemistry with Nani.
Another massive asset is the film’s soundtrack. Composer Santhosh Narayanan’s signature folk numbers inject the film with explosive energy, creating the exhilarating “high” moments it needs. His background score is equally tremendous, perfectly complementing the visceral, pulse-pounding climax.
Ultimately, while Dasara‘s emotional journey can feel uneven at times, the powerhouse performances and spectacular technical craft make it a truly compelling package. It is, without a doubt, a worthy and unforgettable cinematic experience.
Conclusion
Watch it for Nani and Keerthy’s power-packed performances.
