'Vikrant Rona' Review: Kichcha Sudeepa’s film is a yawn fest but has an impressive climax

Director: Anup Bhandari

Cast: Kichcha Sudeepa, Nirup Bhandari, Neetha Ashok, Jacqueline Fernandez (in a cameo) and others

Where: In theatres near you

Rating: 2 stars

In the current scenario, where films from down South India are doing phenomenally well at the box office, 'Vikrant Rona' is an additional effort to transport people into the fantasy world of unbelievable events. Kannada superstar Kichcha Sudeepa’s film is an action mystery which is extremely lengthy to sit through until the revelation begins in the pre-climax. Directed by Anup Bhandari, 'Vikrant Rona' is mostly a kids’ film but also with a ‘kiddish’ screenplay.

'Vikrant Rona' (Kichcha Sudeepa) comes to a remote village in the middle of the tropical rainforest to find out the reason behind the series of murders, which the villagers have attributed to the supernatural. Aparna (Neetha Ashok), who is soon going to tie the knot with someone from the same village, falls in love with Sanju (Nirup Bhandari), the son of the celebrated family based there. But destiny has its own game, and Vikrant unravels the unexpected.

Anup surely creates a satisfying world with his characters and locations, but the first half is boring to death. The film paces up after 20-25 minutes into the second half, but by that time, it’s too late. The film has an interesting premise, but it’s weaker on the screenplay front and does not hold your attention for long. The VFX is the USP of the film. The locations, especially the forest, transport you there.

Kichcha’s typical entry is fun and stylish. His cap and the way he puffs a cigar add a lot to his personality. His action isn’t something like we haven’t seen before, but as 'Vikrant Rona', he is just a bit different. He beautifully emotes his pain, especially around the climax.

Nirup Bhandari as Sanju is convincing, his subtle portrayal throughout is good, but he impresses in the climax, rather almost outshines everyone else. Debutante Neetha Ashok looks pretty and plays her part with utmost sincerity. Jacqueline Fernandez, who is literally there for a scene and one dance number, is okay, but nothing would hamper the film even if she wasn’t there.

'Vikrant Rona' tries too hard to slip into the genre of the mystery-fantasy world of storytelling but fails to move even a bit. The film should have been only about the second half as the first half wastes time in unnecessary romance, songs, cringe humour and a dull build-up.