Climate change can be a dry, dull subject for a mainstream film. Come to think of it, how exciting can it be to talk about a minister who has to attend a United Nations summit and the issue of Third World nations being used as dump yards for biohazard waste? Unless, of course, there is a ruthless tycoon who will not hesitate to kill to safeguard his business interests. Director Praveen Sattaru, who shares the writing credits with Abhijeet Poondla for Gandeevadhari Arjuna, takes a thriller route to discuss carbon footprint and climate change. The writers give the story’s hero, Arjun (Varun Tej), more than professional reasons to fight for a larger cause. Does it work? Yes and no.
Gandeevadhari Arjuna (Telugu)
The good things first. Gandeevadhari Arjuna is decidedly slick, focussed and does not waste time with needless frills. If there is a love story, it is snugly woven into the plot to explain the tension between the two characters and their bittersweet past. If there is a past story of abuse, it is precisely explained without being milked for sympathy. The actors shown as trained combat professionals look like they mean business and are fit enough for their jobs. As the story moves between several locations, from a harbour in Andhra Pradesh to Wembley in the UK, Dehradun to Mussoorie and other places, cinematographers G. Mukesh and Amol Rathod deftly use the locations to complement the mood of the narrative without opting for touristy presentations. Mickey J Meyer’s music fits the narrative like a glove without seeking attention. There’s also a lot of art in the background of the high-column mansions the minister goes to.
