Bairagee[1] is a 2022 Indian Kannada-language action drama film directed by Vijay Milton. An remake of Milton's own Tamil film Kadugu, the film stars Shiva Rajkumar and Dhananjay in the lead roles, while Anjali, Pruthvi Ambaar, Sharath Lohithaswa, Shashi Kumar and Vinod Kumar Alva in supporting roles. The music was composed by Anoop Seelin, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Deepu S. Kumar and Vijay Milton.[2]

Bairagee
Theatrical release poster
Directed byVijay Milton
Written byVijay Milton
Based onKadugu
by Vijay Milton
Produced byKrishna Sarthak
StarringShiva Rajkumar
Dhananjay
Anjali
Pruthvi Ambaar
Yasha Shivakumar
CinematographyVijay Milton
Edited byDeepu S. Kumar
Music byAnoop Seelin
Production
company
Krishna Creations
Distributed byJagadeesh Films
Jayanna Films
Release date
  • 1 July 2022 (2022-07-01)
Running time
135 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada

Bairagee was released on 1 July 2022 to mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, but the film bombed at the box office.

Plot

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"Huli" Shivappa and his uncle are Hulivesha artists performing at a function, before Shivappa gets involved in a fight due to someone injuring his uncle. While serving jail time, Shivappa's uncle dies, and Inspector Prakash Sarang teaches him to control his anger and employs him after Shivappa is released. Shivappa also befriends Vaataapi and former boxer and leader of the village, Karna. One day, Vaataapi places a lock on a local music teacher's motorcycle instead of the motorcycle of his love interest Shobina. The teacher notices Shivappa's hesitant help to pay her fine.

On Facebook, Shivappa befriends someone by the name "Deepika Padukone", who is actually the teacher. The two talk, and Shivappa suggests they meet in-person. They meet on a train but don't see each other, instead talking by phone. The teacher explains that she had a troubled upbringing but eventually finished a teacher's training course at age 14 thanks to local politicians, but the local newspaper branded her as a prostitute upon her success. To avoid bringing shame to her family and sister's wedding, she moved to a completely different city where no one knew her. When Karna invites an MLA for an inauguration, the MLA tries to molest a child named Keerti. Karna attempts to intervene, but realizes that his political career could be in jeopardy, so he keeps quiet about the issue.

The teacher intervenes later, saving Keerthi while being injured in the process. Keerthi is traumatized and withdraws from school. Shivappa learns about the issue and turns on Karna, who is constantly conflicted about his decision. Due to Karna's current standing and lack of proof and complaint, the police doesn't take any action. During a temple worship, Keerthi commits suicide by drowning. The teacher realizes that she has to file a police complaint, which confuses Shivappa and Vaataapi since Keerthi had already died. The teacher goes to the police station to file the complaint, but is taken by the MLA's PA to Karna's celebration venue where Shivappa also arrives. It is revealed through the complaint that after the teacher saved Keerthi from the MLA, the MLA assaulted the teacher.

Karna and Shivappa fight, but Shivappa bests him and reminds him that it is their duty to protect women. When Shivappa, Vaataapi, and the teacher go to file the police complaint, Inspector Sarang shows them that it is not necessary as Karna is now in prison. Karna explains that while the complaint would have put the MLA behind bars, the teacher's reputation would have been tarnished. Instead, Karna went to the MLA's residence and killed him, thus taking the blame and exacting vengeance for Keerthi's death.

Cast

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Cameo appearance

Soundtrack

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J. Anoop Seelin composed the soundtrack.

No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Grahana"Pramod MaravanteVyasaraj Sosale, Vasishta N. Simha, Ananya Bhat3:01
2."Rhythm Of Shivappa"Pramod MaravanteSharan, Shiva Rajkumar, Saanvi Shetty3:55
3."Nakaranakha"V. Nagendra PrasadAnthony Daasan3:45
4."Prisoner 123 Theme"0:51
Total length:11:32

Release

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The film was theatrically released on 1 July 2022.

Home media

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The satellite and digital rights were sold to Colors Kannada and Voot.

Reception

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Critical response

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Sunayana Suresh of The Times of India gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "The film does give enough whistle-worthy moments, but also gives enough scope for emotions and relationships to play out at their own pace."[5] Swaroop Kodur of OTTplay gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Bairagee is pure, good-old masala fun that also strives sincerely to be engaging and worthwhile."[6]

A. Sharadhaa of The New Indian Express wrote "Bairagee is a film that will appeal to the masses and the family audience."[7] Muralidhara Khajane of The Hindu wrote "Offering a complete package with all the ingredients, especially action and emotion, this Vijay Milton-directorial will not disappoint the audience."[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Sandalwood star Shiva Rajkumar's 'SRK123'is titled 'Bairagee'". The News Minute. 13 July 2021. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  2. ^ "Shivarajkumar and Dhananjaya's Bairagi heads into its final lap of production". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Female characters have strong roles in 'Bairagee'". The Indian Express. 29 June 2022. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  4. ^ "Bairagee Movie Review: Shivanna shines bright in this riveting film". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  5. ^ "Bairagee Movie Review: A Mass Entertainer With Its Heart Firmly In Place". The Times of India.
  6. ^ "Bairagee movie review: Shiva Rajkumar, Daali Dhananjaya, and Co. put on a credible show that's also a tad misguided". OTTplay.
  7. ^ "Review: Shivanna shines bright in 'Bairagee'". The New Indian Express. 2 July 2022.
  8. ^ Khajane, Muralidhara (2 July 2022). "'Bairagee' movie review: Shivarajkumar excels in thoughtful entertainer". The Hindu.
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