Just Pass

Plot: After his retirement, school principal Dalwai (Rangayana Raghu) invests his life savings and opens a college to educate and motivate average or ‘just pass’ students. Can a good teacher mend students or will they need stricter vigilance?

Review: Award-winning school principal Dalwai (Rangayana Raghu) pours his life savings into opening a college for average or ‘just pass’ students who cannot secure admissions anywhere else. He aims to help these kids achieve their goals and motivate them to study harder. A twist in the tale occurs when a student dies by suicide on the campus and Dalwai gets arrested in a drugs case. Can Dalwai prove his innocence?

The movie is a Rangayana Raghu show all the way. The man holds the movie together and brings it to the docks with all his might. Looking at his line-up, it feels like Raghu is ready for his second innings as a lead in the coming days. He is ably aided by Shri Mahadev, Pranathi, Sadhu Kokila, Govinde Gowda and Prakash Tumminadu. Sadhu, Gowda and Prakash play lectures in the film, and besides what they are known for - the comedy - here, they get to explore character roles as well.

The movie, which begins playfully, ends on a preachy note. It dwells on the present education system, the politics behind colleges and administration, corruption and more while trying to reiterate that every student, irrespective of talent, deserves a fresh chance and a good teacher. Director KM Raghu has presented a serious film with an equally serious tone.

Just Pass is a thought-provoking film but it's marred by a templated, predictable script. However, it still makes for a good one-time watch.