Shivaji Surathkal: The Case Of Ranagiri Rahasya

Plot: Shivaji Surathkal, who is the Sherlock Holmes of the Karnataka Police Department, is handed over a high-profile case – the murder of the Home Minister's son. This brings him to an eerie resort in Ranagiri, near Madikeri, which seems to throw Shivaji off his game.

Review: The staple for a story of this genre is a murder that raises multiple questions. When a youngster who visits a spooky resort at a strange town and ends up dead, a sharp and quirky cop – Shivaji, along with his sidekick, set out to find what really happened. While he handles his case, Shivaji has his own demons to fight as we are introduced to his personal life and a tragedy. Does he find closure?

The film is Ramesh Aravind's show all the way. The director, Akash, seems to have picked his ensemble cast rather carefully, as each have a pivotal role to play in the tale and they do not disappoint. The cinematography adds to the intrigue and tension that is required for a film of this genre. The background score is mostly on point. The film has its share of songs, but whether they were required to be there at all is a question the makers might want to explore.

Whodunnit stories are always a treat to watch when told well. And Shivaji Surathkal tries to pay homage to Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, with a story that seems to have a good stock of twists and turns to keep the plot engaging. Akash Srivatsa surely seems to have redeemed himself as a storyteller after his debut outing Badmaash. A sequel to a film like this that has the potential to become a franchise would be welcome, so watch this one and stay on track.