Capital City Movie Review : old-school action drama with all the masala

By Susmita Sameera

The film opens with the introduction of the protagonist, Pruthvi (Rajeev), who takes on a group of goons alone, leaving the brother of notorious Don Dhanpal (Ravi Shankar) critically injured and in a coma. While Dhanpal thrives on the fear he commands, Pruthvi works from the shadows to dismantle his gang and criminal empire, using various disguises — from a Sikh to an old man, and even impersonating a police.

During one of these missions, Pruthvi, disguised as a police officer, crosses paths with Anuradha (Prerana Kambam), the daughter of industrialist Balavant. This encounter sparks a romantic subplot, with Anuradha drawn to Pruthvi’s sense of justice.

The story then takes several dramatic turns, revealing an orphanage, a backstory tied to it, a sibling bond explored through flashbacks and a landscape dominated by the brutal underworld, corrupt politicians, and compromised police. There are also a few genuine characters, such as ACP Deshpande (Sharath Lohithaswa) and a sincere MLA (KS Sridhar), who add some balance to the chaos.

The film leans heavily on action, with back-to-back fight sequences and dramatic buildups. It follows a familiar template packed with underworld rivalries, political drama, family emotions, and revenge-driven motives. Loud and exaggerated in its approach, this is a throwback to old-school action dramas — a style that may not appeal to everyone but could work for those who enjoy that genre.