The Kannada film Kencha directed by PN Sathya starring Prajwal Devaraj reminds you of many films that were made in seventies. Sathya has a cliched story and also followed the narrative pattern of the commercial potboilers of that era. The end product shows the complete failure of Sathya as a writer as well as a director.
It needs an enormous level of patience to watch Kencha with all its twists and turns in the story which is about Rahul, a college student who likes to take challenges in life. During one of the bike racing competition, he comes sees a person getting killed by Pashupathi, a dreaded don in the city. He was hired by Giri Gowda, a minister. Confrontation starts between Rahul and Pashupathi which is exploited by the other baddies. What happens later can be easily predicted by anyone.
Prajwal Devaraj who still looks very young is given a larger than life image and we have heard the so called punch dialogues uttered by him many times before. What he needs instead is to work in good films and accept roles that suit his age and physique. He is at his sparkling best in the dances as well as the fights.
Pragna has little to do in the film other than look glamorous, which is regrettable as she showed much promise in Ganesha Maththe Bandha. A talented actor like Tilak is totally wasted. Sharath Lohithashwa's voice is appealing, but his characterisation defies all logic.
Rajesh Ramanath's music is ordinary. PL.Ravi remains the only technician whose work is worth mentioning.
Director Sathya proves that he is a better actor than a writer-director as you need a lot of patience to watch Kencha.
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