Ugramm (2014)

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 !!!!