Kaatera (2023) movie review

 Kaatera, played by Darshan Thoogudeepa, is a weaponsmith facing several obstacles as he tries to assist farmers in his village with the Land Reforms Act, which aims to make cultivators the rightful owners of the land they till. Can one person make a significant impact and bring about the necessary societal change?

Kaatera (2023) movie review

A bunch of skeletons found near Bheemanahalli village raises suspicions of a possible mass killing. The skeletons are sent to a forensic lab for investigation. Enter Kaatera (played by Darshan Thoogudeepa), an old man on parole, heading home for a village festival with a constable (Achyut Kumar). After a deadly attack, Kaatera shares his past with the constable. Back in the 70s, Kaatera, a weaponsmith in Bheemanahalli, known for his honesty, fell in love with Prabhavati (Aradhana Ram), from a different caste.

Meanwhile, farmers in Bheemanahalli were fed up with the cruel rule of feudalists Devaraya and Kaalegowda (Jagapathi Babu & Vinod Alva). The introduction of the Land Reforms Act brings hope to the villagers. Kaatera becomes their savior. Can he overthrow the powerful feudalists? And is there a connection between Kaatera and the skeletons found earlier?

In recent years, Darshan has been seen as a larger-than-life hero on screen. Questions about him returning to performance-oriented movies like "Namma Preethiya Ramu" have been raised in interviews, with fans lamenting the balance between Darshan the performer and Darshan the mass-commercial hero. "Kaatera" successfully blends both sides, showcasing Darshan as a mass hero and a performer. Director Tarun Sudhir deserves praise for seamlessly combining the two. The movie is tailor-made for Darshan and his fans, with his strong on-screen presence compensating for any screenplay or narrative shortcomings. Debutant Aradhana shows promise, standing out in the second half with a solid performance. In a commercial film like "Kaatera," which heavily relies on heroism, Aradhana gets enough screen time to showcase her talent.

Kaatera boasts strong performances from seasoned actors like Jagapathi Babu, Kumar Govind, Vinod Alva, Avinash, Vaijanath Biradar, and Shruthi. It marks a triumphant return for both Kumar and Alva. While the villains follow a standard template, it doesn't dull the film's overall tone, given its commercial focus on the classic battle between good and evil.

The best film's standout feature is its authentic, gritty content that seeks to convey a meaningful message. Set in the 70s, director Tarun Sudhir delves into themes like casteism, honor killings, feudalism, and the ancient 'Holemari' custom. Writer Jadesh Kumar Hampi deserves credit for shedding light on these issues. Masti's dialogues are good, though a few could use a stronger punch. V Harikrishna's background music steals the show in elevating mass scenes, becoming an unsung hero in 'Kaatera.' Among the music tracks, 'Pasandagavne' and the title track are real crowd-pleasers. The action sequences, especially in the second half, are well-crafted.

However, one significant drawback preventing 'Kaatera' from reaching excellence is its lengthy runtime. Three hours feels a bit too much for the explored subject. The first half could have been better edited, with the initial back-to-back duet songs between Darshan and Aradhana slowing down the pace. The film truly takes off only after an hour, as it establishes the main characters. Additionally, some scenes involving women (Aradhana and Shruthi) needed more sensitivity. The climax tends to get preachy, delivering a message that may not resonate with Darshan's 'mass fans.'

The best film not only delivers a crucial message but also serves as an ideal showcase for Darshan's talents. It's the right moment to give a warm welcome to Darshan, reminding everyone of his exceptional skills as a performer.