Movie: Republic
Rating: 2.5/5
Cast: Sai Dharam Tej, Aishwarya Rajesh, Ramya Krishna, Jagapathi Babu
Director: Deva Katta
Produced By: J Bhagawan, J Pullarao
Release Date: 1st October 2021
Republic featuring Sai Dharam Tej finally hit the screens today. Republic is an action-packed commentary on the Indian democratic system and how politicians yield supreme power over the civil servants and courts. Sai Dharam Tej is playing an IAS officer Abhiram Panja in the film who clashes with Ramya Krishna who is essaying the role of a wily political leader.
Story: Panja Abhiram (Sai Dharam Tej) who has a bright future at MIT in the US. Instead, due to certain incidents, he chooses to stay back in his hometown Eluru and write the civils. Ramya Krishna plays Vishakha Vani a god-mother like figure who yields ultimate power over the legislature. Abhiram Panja has to go through Vishakha Vani to reach his goal of societal justice. What are the challenges posed in front of him? How do they make him question his principles and how he conquers them forms the story.
Performance: Sai Dharam Tej gets an author backed role. While in the initial few minutes he does the usual dance and song bit, as the film goes into a political mode, he has to put up his acting face. He has tried to give a sorted performance and the effort is visible. However, his limitations as an actor become a road block to this intense political drama. Ramya Krishna as Vishakha Vani is in her comfort zone and aces the role as an antagonist. She looks convincing and commanding as a ruthless businesswoman turned politician. Aishwarya Rajesh and Jagapathi Babu have nothing new to project here and the rest of the cast are just add ons providing no new element to the movie.
Analysis: The concept of a hero fighting for villagers against corporates has been done and dusted and there are now new avenues that can be discovered on that route. The problem with going with this theme is that it is highly predictable and the audience can’t be surprised. While Deva Katta brings in a political angle, the film often goes into the unrealistic zone. Powerful characterization and political battles are established quite well but they lose their sheen due to weak writing. Mani Sharma’s music is also not of much use to the flow of the film.
Plus Points:
Ramya Krishna
Dialogues
Minus Points:
Unrealistic representation
Second half
Weak screenplay
Verdict: Deva Katta presents Republic as an important lesson to the audience to protect democracy. While the film has an interesting premise, dull narration and unrealistic depiction of IAS and legislative representatives does not allow you to take the film seriously. Overall the attempt to bring an important message has to be appreciated but it would have been great if some research went into the writing. The cinematic liberty has been taken quite strongly and that might deter the lovers of the political genre.
