Review: Kannada film 'Sarathi' is arguably Darshan's best film

Film: Sarathi (Kannada)
Director: Dinakar S Thoogudeep
Cast: Darshan, Deepa Sannidhi, Sarath Kumar and others
Rating: ***

There's a lot riding on Sarathi. Firstly, the lead actor Darshan is currently in prison, battling a personal crisis. Not just that, Darshan's also had a bad run at the box office lately, with none of his films doing great.

With so much at stake, the expectations from the film also are equally gigantic. Luckily, the film doesn't disappoint. Instead, it stands out as what could arguably be Darshan's best film till date.

The film, which mixes family sentiments and massy elements like auto rickshaws, punch dialogues and well-choreographed action sequences, proves to be a good entertainer. It is in sync with the mass films that are doing well nationally, be it Kempe Gowda or Dabangg.

The film is about Raja, an auto driver, who leads a happy go lucky existence in Bangalore. He falls in love with Rukmini, a typical bubbly city girl and there unfolds a mystery of Raja's past, which is connected with a landlord's family in interior Karnataka.

The film has it all, romantic songs, fights, emotional sequences and even a dance alongside the original Sandalwood auto driver Shankar Nag, courtesy computer graphics, of course.

There are a few glitches in the script, but those are easily pardonable, considering this is an entertaining film, which doesn't really bore you. Darshan gives his career's best performance till date.

Newcomer Deepa Sannidhii is a good find. She can hold her own in big scenes and shows a lot of promise. The ensemble cast, which has big names like Lohitashwa, Sharath Lohitashwa, Sarath Kumar and Rangayana Raghu amongst others, justify their roles.

Cinematography by Krishnakumar is top notch and he's done a great job with the action sequences. Director Dinakar Thoogudeepa has created a film that's well on the lines of big Tollywood entertainers like Magadheera. This film is worth your three hours, go and get entertained.