Mufti movie review: Undercover killer'
Right from the word go, it reminds of Ugramm', its making, mannerisms, lights, shades and most of it, even the protagonist.
Director: Narthan
Cast: Shivarajkumar, Srii Murali, Devaraj, Madhu Guruswamy, Vashishta, Shanvi Srivastava, Chikkanna, Prakash Belawadi, Baabu Hirannaiah
What happens when a movie tastes huge success beyond expectations? Well, a series of such imitations start churning out, and it slowly becomes a ‘formula’ for some. With such ready-made template, the plot is usually altered with the addition of star actors. 'Mufti' is a product of such ready mix venture. Right from the word go, it reminds of the film ‘Ugramm’, its making, mannerisms, lights, shades and most of it, even the protagonist.
Within minutes, the tale starts with a killing spree and, by the end of two-and-a-half hours, the bloody count is greater than 50 with almost all of them killed on the spot. The film is set in an imaginary place which is literally taken over by a don, and even posing a threat to him remains the biggest challenge. However, the don is only revealed just before the interval, and till then Srii Murali continues his ‘Ugramm’ avatar, but for a change, as an ‘undercover’ cop. Hence, the title ‘Mufti’, a police officer in plain clothes to cover his identity.
It needs no brains to guess about the modus operandi of such an undercover cop. First, prove loyalty to the outer layer of the don’s gang. Then, outsmart the gang members to ultimately win over the don's heart by putting up a killer sequence and saving him. This is as old as other don films in cinematic history! In between, the director here has forced upon a love masala with unlaughable comedy tidbits, which adds to the killing experience. There is some politics too.
If that was not enough, the tale comes with a brother-sister sentiment attached to the don saga. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going for the ‘cop in mufti’ when he starts feeling for the don after realising his ‘good’ intentions behind all his bloody business. Will he succumb to his goodness or the undercover cop does what all filmy cops have been doing, stick to their job? Or is there another possibility? Find out if you are a Shivanna fan, as he returns with a ‘machete’ in the end.