Director: Narthan
Cast: Shivarajkumar, Srii Murali, Devaraj, Madhu Guruswamy, Vashishta, Shanvi Srivastava, Chikkanna, Prakash Belawadi, Baabu Hirannaiah
Rating: 2 stars
What happens when a movie tastes success that goes beyond expectations? Predictably, a series of imitations start churning out, and it’s story-line slowly becomes a ‘formula’ for others to emulate. With such a ready-made template, the plot is often altered to make way for star actors. Mufti is a product of such a winning formula. Right from the word go, it reminds one of the film Ugramm in its making, mannerisms, lights, shades and even the character of the protagonist.
Within minutes, the tale begins on a killing spree and, by the end of two-and-a-half hours, the bloody count is more than 50, with almost all killed on the spot. Yes, it’s gory. The film is set in an imaginary place run by a don, and that is its biggest challenge. However, the don appears just before the interval, and till then Srii Murali continues his Ugramm avatar. He is essaying the role of an ‘undercover’ cop, hence, the title Mufti, a police officer in plain clothes.
Guessing the modus operandi of such undercover cops is a no brainer. First, they need to prove their loyalty to the outer layer of a don’s gang. Then, they need to outsmart the gang members to win over the don’s trust, for which a killer sequence ensues, where the protagonist saves the don from being killed. This story is as old as the hills, in cinematic history! The director of course, ups the masala quotient with a love story and pretty unlaughable comedy tidbits, which add to the killing experience. There is some politics as well.
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 get going, as is the case for the ‘cop in mufti.’ He starts empathising with the don after realising the ‘good’ intentions behind the bloody business. Will he succumb to his alleged goodness? What will this undercover cop do? Is there a twist to the tale? Find out more if you are a Shivanna fan, as he returns with a ‘machete!’ in this one.
