Ombatthane Dikku

Plot: Channa is a cab driver who is trying to make a life in Bengaluru. He chances upon a bag that supposedly contains money for a man's daughter's wedding and sees it stolen in front of his eyes. When he tries to help, he ends up in a web that gives him more than he asked for.

Review: Dayal Padmanabhan is known for making cinema that is high on content. Ombatthane Dikku is another such from his repertoire. This film is the official remake of the 2017 critically acclaimed film, Kurangu Bommai, which has been adapted for a more massy approach and lead actor Yogi's audience. The film is engaging, albeit after a shaky start, and ends up being a film that is worth investing one’s time in.

The film begins with a narration by Darshan, of a hunter and a bird that is on its way to take care of its family. This story is symbolic of the essence of the crime thriller, which has an interesting non-linear narrative style. The film has a competent cast, which ensures it does not disappoint.

The film is about an honest cab driver, Channa Keshava, his love story with a chirpy and outspoken Saroja Devi, and his conflict with his father who works for a smuggler. On the other hand, there is also a tale of Channa trying to help a man in distress, whose bag he sees being stolen in front of his eyes. Between these instances, there lies a tale that takes Channa into a web where the conflict ends up being more personal than he wished for.

What works for the film is its unique narrative style, where every little character adds to the story and their parts, small or big, end up being significant in tying up the loose ends of this thriller. One might feel the story has more dramatised elements, when compared to the original, but these have both positives and negatives. Ombatthane Dikku eventually ends up being a film that is intriguing and entertaining, with ample laughs, edge of the seat moments and emotional drama. Go for it.