Mango Pachcha review:
Mango Pachcha is one of those Kannada films that has an interesting world right from the beginning. Now streaming on JioHotstar, the film takes us into the darker side of 2000s Mysuru, where family, money, drugs and power slowly become part of one man’s life.
Directed by Viveka, the story follows Prashanth, aka Pachcha (Sanchith Sanjeev), a young man whose fairly ordinary life takes a completely different turn after his father’s death. What starts with family revelations eventually pulls him towards the drug trade and the dangerous people operating around it.
What I liked about Mango Pachcha is that it doesn’t spend too much time trying to make Pachcha look like a larger-than-life hero. He feels more like a guy who gets pulled into a world he probably shouldn’t be in. That makes his transformation more interesting.
Sanchith Sanjeev does a pretty decent job, especially considering this is a debut. He has the screen presence for the intense moments, and his emotional portions work better than some of the dialogue-heavy scenes.
Kaajal Kunder is good in her role, while Mayur Patel makes an impression. The supporting cast, including Prashanth Hiremath, Jai Gopinath, Harini Shreekanth, Hamsa Narayanaswamy, Ugramm Manju, Mahadev Prasad and Siddarth Maadhyamika, add to the film’s grounded atmosphere.
The main issue is that the film sometimes feels too rushed. At around 95 minutes, there isn’t always enough time for the characters and conflicts to breathe. A few moments that could have had more impact are over before they really settle in.
Still, the rawness works in the film’s favour. The 2000s Mysuru setting, crime backdrop and Pachcha’s gradual transformation give Mango Pachcha its own flavour. The action and darker portions also fit nicely into the overall mood.
The second half is stronger, particularly when Pachcha’s personal life and criminal world start coming together. The climax gives the film a much-needed emotional push and leaves a decent impact.
Mango Pachcha isn’t a flawless crime drama, and the screenplay could definitely have used more depth in places. But there is enough here to make it an interesting watch, especially with Sanchith Sanjeev showing promise in his first outing.
If you enjoy Kannada crime dramas with a local setting, family drama, action and a young protagonist getting pulled into a dangerous world, Mango Pachcha is worth checking out on JioHotstar.
Director: Viveka
Cast: Sanchith Sanjeev, Kaajal Kunder, Mayur Patel, Prashanth Hiremath, Jai Gopinath, Harini Shreekanth, Hamsa Narayanaswamy, UgrammManju, Mahadev Prasad, Siddarth Maadhyamika
Genre: Kannada Crime Drama / Action
OTT: JioHotstar
