‘Dharmasthala Constituency’ Review: A Gripping Political Drama with a Strong Message

Cast: Suman, Sai Kumar, Rajeev Kanakala, Kasturi, Nataraj, Raja Ravindra, Shafi, Kalakeya Prabhakar, Rayamcha Kokkuru, Varun Sandesh, Vithika Sheru, Prithvi, Shiva Kumar and others.

Director of Photography: Venkata Hanuma
Editor: Saibabu Talari
Music: Mahaveer Elender
Producer: Merum Bhaskar
Story, Screenplay & Direction: Jai Gnan Prabha Thota

Story

Produced under the banner of Moving Dreams India Private Limited, Dharmasthala Constituency features veteran actors Suman and Sai Kumar in the lead roles. Rajeev Kanakala, Kasturi, Nataraj, Raja Ravindra, Shafi, Rayamcha Kokkuru, Varun Sandesh, Vithika Sheru and others play key roles.

The film had already generated interest with its first look and teaser. The story revolves around politics, drug abuse and a fight for justice.

Bairraju Kanchukota (Sai Kumar) is a powerful MLA who has won from the Dharmasthala constituency seven consecutive times. At the same time, Vasudev (Rajeev Kanakala) and his wife Kasturi operate a drug business in the village with political backing.

Arundhati (Vithika Sheru), a college lecturer, takes a stand against the drug mafia. Her fight gains momentum when a student, Badri (Nataraj), is brutally murdered.

The investigation reveals that the drug network is operating under Bairraju’s influence. Badri’s father Eshwaraiah (Suman), a humble tea-stall owner, then decides to enter the electoral battle against the powerful MLA, supported by the students.

How does an ordinary man challenge Bairraju’s money and muscle power? Can Eshwaraiah defeat a seven-time MLA and put an end to the drug mafia? The answers form the crux of the film.

Analysis

For debutant director Jai Gnan Prabha Thota, taking up a political subject is a challenging choice. While political dramas are not new to Indian cinema, the decision to connect the story with the growing menace of drug abuse gives the film contemporary relevance.

The director succeeds in presenting the central conflict effectively. The combination of politics, drug trafficking, student issues and the fight for justice keeps the narrative engaging.

The sequences depicting how students fall prey to drugs and ruin their futures are thought-provoking. The portions involving the murder of a student leader and his father subsequently entering politics with the support of students are among the film’s stronger elements.

The political counter-strategies between Eshwaraiah and Bairraju provide good drama. Though a few portions suffer from some lag, the interval sequence raises expectations. The pre-climax and climax are handled effectively, while the final message leaves an impact.

Vithika Sheru’s transformation into an aggressive lecturer is particularly noteworthy. Varun Sandesh’s guest appearance, which highlights the importance of voting, is another interesting addition.

The cinematography by Venkata Hanuma is impressive and the production values are good. Mahaveer Elender’s background score suits the mood of the film. The editing, however, could have been tighter.

Director Jai Gnan Prabha Thota shows promise and demonstrates the potential to handle socially relevant subjects.

Performances

Suman delivers a convincing performance as Eshwaraiah, an ordinary tea-stall owner who enters politics in the second half. His confrontation with Sai Kumar’s character forms one of the film’s key attractions.

Sai Kumar is powerful as Bairraju Kanchukota and brings considerable intensity to the role. The combination of Suman and Sai Kumar works well.

Rajeev Kanakala excels as the antagonist, delivering an intense performance. Kasturi is equally effective in her negative role.

Nataraj makes an impression as student Badri, while Vithika Sheru performs well as the college lecturer who takes a stand against the drug mafia.

Varun Sandesh makes a surprise appearance towards the end. The supporting cast delivers satisfactory performances.

Verdict

Dharmasthala Constituency is an engaging political action drama that combines electoral politics with the social issue of drug abuse. Strong performances from Suman and Sai Kumar, along with an effective message and engaging second half, make the film worth watching for audiences who enjoy political dramas.

Punch Line: An engaging political drama that blends power, drugs and the fight for justice.

Rating: 3/5