For the love of God

Dheeraj Shetty

This is one of those films that should never have been made.

At least we would be spared the ordeal of having to sit through them.

One could not help but envy some tapori folk, the target audience of this flick, who walked out after the first half of the film.

Durga is a bad remix of Ramgopal Varma's version of gangsta epic Satya, which also had Chekravarthy in the title role.

As we all know, Satya was completely hijacked by Manoj Bajpai (as Bhiku Mhatre) while Chekravarthy failed to evoke even a passing mention in the aftermath of its success.

Durga seems like an attempt to get his share of the glory, and the corresponding footage. But those who dared to watch the film will tell you that Chekravarthy, who also directs this caper, should stick to bit roles.

In the film, Durga (Chekravarthy) is your average collegian, except that he's a little out of place among the youngsters, unlike in his debut Telugu film Shiva.

After initial hiccups, he and college mate Gayatri (Priyanka) decide that they can't live without each other. Her father is against the match. This eventually leads to a murderous assault on Durga by some gangsters.

This sparks off a war between the two gangs which have been ruling the city's underworld. Durga, it turns out, is the peace-loving son of the leader of one of the gangs.

The story treads no new ground.

Priyanka and the rest of the characters play their parts, but it is Chekravarthy's show all the way. Unfortunately, he has little to show by way of direction or acting.

You are not likely to remember the songs or the music either.

By the time the last reel is through, you are desperate to rush out of the cinema hall.

On the eve of the film's release, Chekravarthy had said that the film had shaped up exactly as he had envisioned. That being the case, he should stick to assisting Ramuji and, if possible, get his vision corrected.

ALSO READ:
'I am supposed to be a big star': An interview with Chekravarthy