‘Sapta Sagaralu Dhaati-Side A’ review: Slow and steady

Rakshit Shetty's highly anticipated film 'Sapta Sagaralu Dhaati-Side A' is hitting the screens amidst tremendous expectations. The original film achieved superhit status in Kannada, adding to the excitement surrounding its dubbed version. The film's trailer and teaser have already received a positive response, intensifying the anticipation among audiences. As the film hits theatres, let’s see how it fares at Tollywood box-office.

Story

Manu (Rakshit Shetty) works as a car driver for a wealthy family, while Priya (Rukmini Vasanth) is a college student with aspirations of becoming a singer. They love each other deeply and dream of building a home by the sea in Priya’s hometown. In a twist of fate, Manu makes a life-altering decision for their future. What is this decision? Is Priya aware of it? Did it turn out well or not? Unveiling these answers is the main crux of the story.

Peformances

Rakshit Shetty, renowned for his exceptional and impactful performances, truly inhabited his character in this film. His portrayal was marked by a range of expressions and emotions, effortlessly transitioning from a loyal and innocent driver to a caring lover, and convincingly conveying the pain when confronted with harsh realities.

Rukmini Vasanth seamlessly slipped into the role of a middle-class girl with a pragmatic outlook on life. Her innocent appearance was eloquently expressed through her facial expressions, often conveying more profound messages than lengthy dialogues could. Her silent communication through her eyes was a standout feature.

Pavithra Lokesh delivered a natural performance as the heroine's mother. Supporting actors such as Avinash, Sharath Lohitashwa, Achyut Kumar, Ramesh Indira, and Gopal Deshpande all played their respective roles convincingly, contributing to the overall authenticity of the film.

Technicalities

Hemanth M Rao's storytelling in “Sapta Sagaralu Dhaati - Side A,” while rooted in a familiar plot, unravels with a deliberate pace that gives room for the blossoming romance between the lead characters to feel natural and realistic. The story gradually gains momentum leading up to a pivotal interval twist, setting the stage for a compelling second half that delves deep into the protagonist's struggles in jail and the female lead's relentless efforts to save her lover. The dialogues are decent, and the scenes are visually captivating, thanks to Hemanth M Rao's impactful script and skillful screenplay and direction.

Charan Raj's music breathes life into the narrative, with soulful and heart-touching songs strategically placed and beautifully shot.AdvaithaGurumurthy's cinematography gracefully captures the scenic beauty of Bengaluru and Mangalore.

While the editing by Sunil Bharadwaj and Hemanth Rao is passable, it could have been more judiciously employed to pace up the film, which, at times, moves at a sluggish tempo. Nonetheless, the production values remain commendable, adding to the overall appeal of the movie.

Advantages

Artist’s Performances

Music

Cinematography

Drawbacks

Slow narration

Predictable story