Actor Duniya Vijay’s return to direction with Bheema is a blood-soaked spectacle that leaves little to the imagination. Thankfully, the excessive gore and body fluids, including blood, urine, and froth, are all artificial—otherwise, the production would have drained a few blood banks dry.
This action-packed film aims to shock, but the overwhelming violence, foul language, and overdose of drugs do more to numb the audience than to engage them. The film’s ‘A’ certificate is less about bold themes and more about the sheer intensity of its content.
While Vijay’s earlier directorial Salaga managed to justify their carnage with a solid storyline, Bheema falters in this regard. The narrative feels stretched, with the protagonist and antagonist’s inevitable clash delayed for no apparent reason, causing unnecessary collateral damage along the way.
Set in the slums of Bengaluru, where Kannada is spoken with a Tamil accent, the film follows Bheema, a mentor to a group of youngsters who spend their days high on marijuana and their nights recklessly wheeling their bikes through the streets. Bheema, often seen smoking or drinking, is ironically the one trying to steer these youths away from their vices.
His nemesis, Dragon Manju, is a hulking brute with aspirations of becoming a corporator. Together with his brother, Manju runs a drug racket that has already claimed Bheema’s foster father as a victim. Bheema’s mission is clear: to avenge his father and save the youths from a life of addiction.
Visually, Bheema is a treat. Each scene is shot with such precision that they appear as individual mosaics—beautiful when taken separately, but repetitive and lacking emotional depth when pieced together. The film’s editing highlights the stunning camerawork, yet this focus on aesthetics detracts from the story’s emotional impact. Only a handful of scenes successfully convey the intended emotions, leaving much of the film feeling like a disjointed montage.
Vijay Kumar’s dual role as director and actor is commendable. He has crafted a film filled with unconventional characters and ensured that others share the spotlight, often at the expense of his own screen time. However, in cramming too much into each scene, character development suffers, with only Gopalkrishna Deshpande and Raghu Shivamogga’s roles resonating emotionally.
Despite its flaws, Bheema showcases Vijay’s ability to utilize his resources effectively. A bit more cinematic finesse could have elevated the film significantly. Towards the end, Bheema symbolically burns his liquor stock after a chastening encounter with a drug addict, attempting to convey a message that smoking, drinking, and drugs are injurious to health—despite the film’s frequent indulgence in depicting these very vices.
Film: Bheema Director: Vijay Kumar Cast: Vijay Kumar, Ashwini Ambrish, Priya Shatamarshan, Dragon Manju, Cockroach Sudhi, Gopalkrishna Deshpande, Kalyanee Raju, Achyuth Kumar, Rangayana Raghu Duration: 148 minutes Rating: 2.5 stars
