Sapta Sagaradaache Ello-Side A review: It’s like watching a test match that ends in a tie

Before we get into the Side A world of Sapta Sagaradaache Ello, let’s talk a bit about cricket! Any die-hard fan of cricket would consider a test match as one of the most beautiful formats of the sport.

Wondering what cricket and particularly test matches have to do with the Rakshit Shetty and Rukmini Vasanth-starrer romantic drama?

Well, both take time to build the intensity it requires to keep the audience engaged with a mix of both good and boring sessions in parts. However, the film ends in a tie or crawls to the finish line, hoping that the next side (Side B) has something more unique to offer.

Well, Side B or the second part of Sapta Sagaradaache Ello is releasing in theatres on 20 October.

Synopsis

Since it’s a romantic drama, the whole of the film heavily revolves around two protagonists — Manu (Rakshit Shetty) and Priya (Rukmini Vasanth).

It opens with Manu driving a high-end car worth over a crore at full speed with his girlfriend sitting next to him. Believe it or not, but that’s the beginning and end of the term “speed/pace” in the film!

Soon, we learn that Manu isn’t a spoilt brat but a driver working for a rich businessman. His salary is barely ₹12,000 per month.

It would roughly take 80 years to buy a swanky car worth ₹1.25 crore and 40-odd years for him to buy the same from a pre-used car dealer.

No, Priya is not any rich kid either!

Their only dream is to own a simple house next to a beach for a happily-ever-after scenario. But before that, they need to find a rented house that fits their budget.

Also Read: Trend alert: Non-Kannada titles for Kannada films

Twist in the tale

In no time, we come across a hit-and-run case involving the actual spoilt brat — the son of his business tycoon-boss. Manu voluntarily takes up the blame on himself to save his boss’s son.

However, it comes with a price — an assurance that everything is taken care of including good money and an advocate who will get him out of the case at the earliest.

Manu is accused of attempting to murder (Sec 307 of the IPC) and not Sec 304 A, which is causing death by negligence.

When things are going slow and smooth, the boss dies of natural causes and so is the chance of Manu getting released on bail.

What follows is a slow-paced love story that requires full attention right till the end.

Also Read: Adithi Krishnadas talks about her National Award-winning animation film ‘Kandittund’

A labour of love 🤍 pic.twitter.com/nZWEjVvnnk

— Rakshit Shetty (@rakshitshetty) August 28, 2023

Side A of Side A

In the first part, until the film breaks for the interval, director Hemanth manages to put up an impressive show. It’s the innocent love story and the chemistry between the two lovers that keeps the boat sailing fine.

The director, who penned the script along with Gundu Shetty, keeps it subtle and close to reality. There are nothing exaggerated or over-the-top sequences, unlike a majority of love stories churned in the name of commercial entertainers.

It’s quite simple: the two are in love and they have a simple dream like any ordinary common man.

The male protagonist gets embroiled in a precarious situation, hoping that he will realise his dream in the future, but for an immediate minor hiccup in life.

The natural performances and an effective screenplay with soothing background music make it all work until it breaks post-interval.

Also Read: ‘Kushi’ isn’t a love failure story, says director Shiva Nirvana

Side B of Side A

All the good things start to crumble and move at a snail’s pace once the protagonist is in police and then in judicial custody in the hit-and-run case with section 307 of the Indian Penal Code invoked.

It has a maximum punishment of 10 years. The nature of offence has a greater legal understanding, but let’s not get deeper into the legal understanding.

Just remember the maximum 10-year punishment in this case.

The second half gets bogged down by the usual drama that is done to death relating to the hard time an accused faces during his time in prison.

Many filmmakers gave the details as to how an accused is ill-treated and also the lengthy process of law.

But the director decides to keep it too close to reality. He showcases the length in full force and repeats it so many times that it, unfortunately, loses the effect it gained on experiencing it for the first time.

Despite the troublesome second half, it is Rakshit Shetty and Rukmini, who keep the audience interested with the chemistry they shared on the screen.

Rakshit mastered the art of emotional acting, which is noticeable in most of his films, especially in 777 Charlie (2022).

Rukmini looks promising. But it’s Rakshit who holds everything together including the slow-paced narration.

Verdict

Side A of Sapta Sagaradaache Ello is worth a watch. But it is like watching a test match, with some good and bad moments of experience.

Also, it nearly manages to cross the finish line to wait for Side B.

Love is like a slow poison and so is this film!

(Views expressed here are personal.)

Also Read: Allu Arjun: The Stylish Star of Tollywood with unconventional looks