Ugramm

Here's something I've never done before. I've never written a movie review. I didn't feel the need to do so, until now. My first reaction after watching Ugramm was an overwhelming desire to pick my pen up and scribble. The movie was up against a mighty torrent I'd created in my mind. Some strong elements threatened to erode it away: a language I can barely speak or understand (having seen only one other Kannada movie which severely failed to impress me), an arrogant bias towards Telugu and English cinema, a subject that doesn't necessarily catch my fancy and the strongest gust of it all in the form of humongous expectations set. And what do you know, Ugramm has not only survived the storm but stands tall and unhinged! This is my take on the movie:

If I were to comment on Ugramm in one sentence it would be this: "It felt like one big movie trailer!" It was so fast-paced it seemed as though an invisible man was lashing his whip to make the scenes bolt. But mind you, the integrity of the movie wasn't compromised for agility. The second half of it gripped me to such an extent that I uncreased my brows only when the end titles set in. Prime aspects like dialogues and portrayal of heroism were so exhaustive I was left wondering if the director had anything left in his bowl for his future movies. The movie is an amusement park for action-film lovers. The roller-coaster ride that this is, will leave anyone gasping for breath and with the thrill of an adventure.

The background score is one of the best I've witnessed in regional cinema. It's thunderous swing fits hand in glove with the gangster theme and gallantry of the hero. But the crown jewel is 'Ugramm Veeram'. It's powerful effect left it resonating in my head long after the movie. It takes all my will to resist humming it aloud lest I sound masculine.

The role of Agastya in itself deserves many laurels. Unsure if it was intended, this role seemed tailor-made for Srimurali. It's difficult to imagine another actor pull this challenging role off with the élan that he has. If I were a guy, I'd walk out of the theatre charged and with a resolve to carry myself with the same cool and suave demeanor that Agastya did. I'm unfamiliar with the Kannada cinema industry, but based on what I saw, I would say Srimurali ranks high amongst the lead actors and definitely one who is on top of his game.

Notwithstanding Srimurali's talent, the brownie points should go to the director. What Agastya is to Bala on screen, Prashanth is to Srimurali offscreen. His vision is what makes this robust character memorable. This is just one thread out of the spectacular tapestry he has woven. His creativity and technique are prodigious making it difficult to believe he's a debutant director with minimal experience in movie-making. His product could challenge even the best of this industry's veterans.

Let's talk negatives. I'm being really nit-picky here in the spirit that even the best of cinema is not perfect. Firstly, in my opinion the lead actress failed to bring the kind of quality to the table that is required of a mammoth that Ugramm is. However, in a world where only glamour sells, her bare look sans make-up is as refreshing as cold lemonade on a sweltering afternoon. The second point is what I would call a positive-negative in the form of overpowering and snappy action scenes in the second half of the movie. Don't mistake me, I'm a sucker for action flicks but I would've rather the scenes be interspersed with at least a few periods of lull. This would've made the movie much smoother and not as choppy. Thirdly, the comedy was a tad bit crass and didn't work too well for me. For an intense movie like Ugramm, provision of crafty comic relief is essential. Finally, watching the movie just once is insufficient to understand the intricacies of the plot. One has to give it two or three times before getting a complete understanding of the finer details. For a movie like this, not such a bad thing after all!

The negatives, if they are negatives at all, are trivial in comparison with the stupendous quality that Ugramm has showcased. This is the first Kannada movie that will find a place in my coveted movie collection. And it is going to be amongst the select few that will not gather dust!

'Ugramm' though is yet another movie with the underworld theme, has a classic touch to it when it comes to the making and it is a viewer's delight as such kind of visuals are new to the Kannada audience.

From the time trailer of this movie came out, I was feeling edgy to watch this movie and what an experience it gave to me. This movie made me loose all the shame I had gone through by watching mediocre Kannada movies in recent times. You might ask what it offered in the name of cinematic excellence.

Well, for starters, the cinematography. It is on par with any movie making technique known to the world. Each and every shot looks like meticulously planned and executed. The hue and shades look so vibrant that you might pinch your arms to assure that you are watching a Kannada movie. Kudos to Ravi Varman for bringing different format of cinematography to Kannada.

The action is pulsating. We all know how talented our own stunt master Ravi Verma is, but he has taken action to another level in Ugramm. The final action sequence is breathtaking and you feel the blood boiling in your veins as you watch the sequence unfold on the screen.

The dialogues are swift and brusque. Even in hard core sentiment scenes of mother and son you won't hear long speeches and tear jerking lines. It's all about less is more in case of dialogues.

Though music is bit loud, it compliments the story line and has unforgettable background score in few places. Songs are hummable and shot beautifully. Ravi Basrur you have begun well.

The acting has power house performances. Leading the contingent is obviously Srimurali. He justifies every bit of the title and carries it through out the movie. Haripriya looks entirely different from movies she has done before and has given refreshing performance. Tilak grabs eyeballs for his gutsy portrayal. Atul Kulakarni, Avinash and Padmaja Rao have shown that they belong to elite class of artistes. Even the characters which occupy less than a second of screen time, performed like pros.

And whom do you give credit for all this hard work, yes, you guessed it right, the director, Prashant Neel. Where were you all these days man?! I will just say one thing about you; I will be the first person to line up for your next movie.

Ugramm (Review) - 'Ugramm' had garnered a lot of attention mainly by its trailer and stills. Finally it has hit the screens near you. Directed by debutant Prashanth Neel, 'Ugramm' stars Sri Murali and Haripriya. This movie is a comeback of sorts for both the lead actors.

'Ugramm' though is yet another movie with the underworld theme, has a classic touch to it when it comes to the making and it is a viewer's delight as such kind of visuals are new to the Kannada audience. Srimurali plays the role of a gangster Agasthya and also a man who makes a humble living as a mechanic in parts and plays both to perfection, especially that of a gangster. Haripriya plays the character Nithya, that of an NRI and looks good on screen. Tilak plays the role of Bala, yet another gangster in the movie and even though he is introduced only in the second half, he has good weightage to his character and has done justice to it as well. 'Ugramm' begins with Nithya coming to India from Australia to visit her mother's grave and due to an age old rivalry between Nithya's father and another politician Shivarudregowda played by Avinash, she is kidnapped by the latter's men. Enter Agasthya to rescue her and the protagonist has been introduced well into the scene. Agasthya has now left all his underworld activities and working as a mechanic saves Nithya from the clutches of the kidnappers and keeps her safe in his house and various sequences surrounding this forms the first half. The second half is when the story goes in to the flashback and Agasthya the gangster is introduced who works for Bala and conquers and has the whole town of Mugor under his control. How he leads his life as a gangster and how he gets back to his life as a mechanic forms the brilliantly made second half.

The sequences in the second half ie; the fights, the title song etc.. have been picturised so well and the cinematographer Ravi Varman needs a thumbs up for the pathbreaking cinematography and taking it to the next level. The work done behind the camera in 'Ugramm' is both admirable and commendable at the same time. The narration of the story is also done well. Performance of Haripriya is neat and Tilak does a good job in his role as Bala. However, the performance of Sri Murali as Agasthya deserves special mention as he is making a comeback after a long time and has done complete justice to his character in both the shades to an extent that no one else could have pulled it off so well. Ravi Basrur has done a good job on the musical front. Ugramm veeram manages to give you goosebumps when watched along with the picturisation. Chanana Chanana and Chithhara are hummable. The album also includes Rama Rama which is just a feel good song. Director Prashanth Neel even though a debutant, has done a brilliant job in making 'Ugramm' one of the best Kannada movies in recent times with regards to the look and the make of it. The story adds to the beautiful make thereby making 'Ugramm' a worthwhile watch.

Having said it all, 'Ugramm' is one of the best movies to be made with the underworld theme in recent times and it also deserves a watch or two for its classy outlook. Sri Murali in 'Ugramm' is certainly an epitome of how to make a comeback and do it in style.... My verdict 8/10 !!!!

Ugram movie which had created huge sensation after trailer release, lives up to the expectations. Movie is promising with rich production values.

Here are the highlights of the movie

>SriMurali undoubtedly steals the show with amazing performance and screen presence. Superb acting and expressions. He rocks in fights and dance too..

>Title song and BGM of the movie is top notch. One of the best of KFI.

>Movie's Cinematography by Ravi Varma is treat to watch.. His work made gangsters world look beautiful.

>Cute acting from Haripriya.

>Career best performance from Tilak

>Top notch Re- recording

>Rare, superior latter: a bleak beauty, a commendable debut from Prashanth Neel..

On the whole UGRAMM is masterpiece which is must watch for every Kannadiga..