Harom Hara Movie Review : Sudheer Babu shines in a violent period drama

Story: In 1980s Kuppam, Subrahmanyam (Sudheer Babu), a talented lab assistant, becomes a gunsmith as life throws curveballs after he gets embroiled in an incident at college. Dramatic events unfold as he rises in the ranks and goes against local evil lords Thammi Reddy (Lakki Lakshman), Basava Reddy (Ravi Kale), and Sharath (Arjun Gowda). While Devi (Malvika Sharma) and Palani Saami (Sunil) stand with Subrahmanyam, will he be able to survive the onslaught from his opponents?

Review: Director Gnanasagar Dwaraka, who previously made a romantic comedy like Sehari, goes all guns blazing to narrate Harom Hara – The Revolt, featuring Sudheer Babu, Malvika Sharma, and Sunil in the lead roles. Sudheer Babu’s character and characterisation is a departure from his previous roles as he embraces a larger-than-life avatar oscillating between heroism and villainy. Set against the backdrop of 1980s Kuppam, this period action drama delves into themes of power, fear, and survival. Malvika Sharma as Devi, who becomes Subrahmanyam's support, and Sunil as Palani Saami, a suspended police officer who becomes his right-hand man, play pivotal roles and deliver notable performances.

Sudheer Babu, in his commercial and mass avatar, goes the extra mile to deliver a compelling performance. His dedication is well-known, and with this film, he attempts to showcase his versatility. The entire cast, including Sudheer, adheres to the Kuppam dialect, adding authenticity to their roles. Malvika Sharma does well to make her presence felt in this male-dominated narrative. Other actors, including Jayaprakash, Ravi Kale, Arjun Gowda, and Lakki Lakshman, contribute significantly to the film's dynamic.

The film follows a dark theme as Gnanasagar Dwaraka crafts an intense and violent narrative blending action and locale. The cinematography by Aravind Viswanathan captures the rustic side of yesteryear Kuppam, enhancing the film's period setting. Chaitan Bharadwaj's music and background score complement the film's tone and enhance the dramatic and action-packed scenes. The action sequences are well choreographed to elevate the larger-than-life persona of the lead.

However, with its violence and gore, the film is not for the faint-hearted as there is a lot of bloodshed on screen. With heads and body parts flying and guns blazing, viewer discretion is advised, and it is for those who appreciate a mass action film. Another issue with the film is its pacing; it takes its own sweet time to tell the story. With a runtime of over 150 minutes, the narrative progresses rather slowly. The rags-to-riches story follows a known template, and predictability and clichés seep into the second half, taking away some of the intrigue from the movie.

On the whole, Harom Hara is a well attempted period action drama that capitalises on Sudheer Babu's strengths. It offers a decent storyline, strong performances, and impressive technical aspects. Watch it if you are looking for a mass action film and are not triggered by the violence and gore showcased in the film.