'Dacoit': The Adivi Sesh, Mrunal Thakur film is a noisy love story
WHEN THE LEAD actor squints into the camera, his hair streaming in the breeze, eyes marked with kohl, and stubble designed to enhance his cheekbones, you know the film is about to descend into idol worship. But Adivi Sesh, the star and co-writer of Dacoit: A Love Story knows his female lead Mrunal Thakur is a natural actor who is also beautiful. So the film’s essential core must become a love story across time and the caste divide.
Given the winsome twosome, one wishes the focus had remained that. But this is a star vehicle so there must be car chases and shootouts. There has to be a super villain too, and a confusing side racket involving organ trade. Strangely enough, the story ties up the loose ends neatly. Sesh has gone all out to woo pan-Indian audiences. His efforts include having Anurag Kashyap in a role that accentuates his gravitas, appearances from Atul Kulkarni, and from Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh, an energetic item song by Jonita Gandhi. Perhaps next time Sesh could strip all encumbrances and stick to the love story. He and Thakur look good together and sometimes that is half the battle won.