AHO! VIKRAMAARKA’ (DUBBED) REVIEW

The narrative of a brutal police officer who unearths a long-forgotten secret and fights a criminal to free the imprisoned victims is told in Dev Gill Productions' Aho! Vikramaarka (dubbed from the Telugu-Marathi bilingual film of the same name; UA).

For a number of years, Asura (Pravin Tarde) has imprisoned and forced numerous Parvati Vasahat village residents to labor as slaves in Thadka village. Vikram, played by Dev Gill, is a corrupt police officer who is sent to Parvati Vasahat village. There, he meets Archana (Chitra Shukla), a teacher. Ugra, Asura's son, murders a fugitive slave from Thadka village one day after searching for him. News reporter Sankalp records this murder on camera. Because Archana was present during the murder, the murderers frame her as an eyewitness. Vikram doesn't know that Archana is being held for a murder she didn't commit.

Vikram is shown the murder's footage by Sankalp in the interim. However, after accepting Ugra's money, the latter gives Sankalp back to Parvati Vasahat. When his sister tells him that Archana has been arrested, however, his conscience is stirred. The narrative of how many local residents were abducted by Asura and never returned is also told to him by the people. Additionally, they tell him how ACP Bhawani (Tejaswini Pandit), a courageous police officer, stopped Asura's illicit activities, but she then inexplicably vanished. To release Parvati Vasahat's folks, Vikram travels to Thadka village. He meets Sangameshwar (Sayaji Shinde), Bhawani, and his father there. How's Bhawani doing? Actually, who is she? Has Vikram been successful in releasing the villagers? Does Vikram manage to destroy Asura and his son, Ugra?

Penmasta Prasad Varma has penned a standard tale of virtue vs evil. There have been several previous films that tell the tale of a corrupt police officer who changes his ways and saves the lives of defenseless people while fighting evil powers. Overall, neither the plot nor Penmasta Prasad Varma's script are very strong or innovative. The climax is drab as well. Talks are commonplace.

As Vikram alias Vikramaarka, Dev Gill is mediocre. Archana is doing well, as is Chitra Shukla. Tejaswini Pandit makes a lasting impression as ACP Bhawani. Pravin Tarde plays Asura well, albeit in some situations he overacts. As Bilal, Posani Krishna Murali, who works for Asura, is fine. Sangameshwar is also mediocre, as is Sayaji Shinde. Kalakeya Prabhakar, Vikram Sharma, Rahul Nevse, Bitthiri Sathi and the others lend ordinary support.

Peta Trikoti’s direction is nothing to shout about. Ravi Basrur’s music is so-so while his background music is too loud and intimidating. Lyrics are ordinary. Song picturisations are fair. Karam Chawla and Guru Prasad N.’s cinematography is good. Action scenes and stunts afford thrill. Tammiraju’s editing is quite sharp. Dubbing is proper.

On the whole, Aho! Vikramaarka is a flop fare.