Suntaragaali: For Darshan fans

Suntaragaali (The Storm), as the name suggests, may well be mistaken for an out and out action film. Yes, there is some action to please ardent Darshan fans, but the actor himself finds himself in a new crossover role. He plays Jagga, a person who grew up in the slums, does odd work for local politician-cum-don Raja Huli (Rangayana Raghu) and, at the same time, goes against anyone indulging in prostitution or selling adulterated arrack.

He speaks in a language spoken by the most down to earth slum dweller, with Rakshitha playing his ladylove. Director Sadhu has presented Darshan in a new get up, with all the commercial ingredients like a bit of action and a lot of songs thrown in. The political incidents taken from the existing scenario in the state have just been added for a bit of masala.

This is a commercial mass film made exclusively for a particular brand of audience. There is the larger than life image of Darshan in every scene, and he remains the messiah for the poor. Essentially, Sadhu Kokila has presented what looks like a different film, with the same commercial ingredients seen in Darshan's earlier films. Therefore, while it looks different in the opening sequences, it falls flat into the pattern of regular commercial cinema.

As for the plot, it involves a number of twists and turns, with political ambition, opposition from social workers, foster parents and a number of criminal deeds thrown in. Not too hard to follow, hence this avoidance of a summary.

It is Darshan all the way here. A de-glamorised Rakshitha may disappoint fans who want to see her in dare bare sequences. Rangayana Raghu steals the show though, as the wicked Raja Huli who is even prepared to barter his daughter for some political mileage. Ashish Vidyarthi's presence does not add much, while Sadhu Kokila and Bullet Prakash excel in the comedy sequences.

Suntaragaali may be well liked, but only by a particular kind of audience that wants the same old stuff in a new bottle.