By Susmita Sameera
Dharmam unfolds in a remote village where life runs on the bare minimum, and survival often comes at a moral cost. The film wastes no time in setting its tone: police officers routinely harass the villagers, exposing a harsh reality where oppression is normalised and fear governs daily life. As the story progresses, we learn that the villagers are involved in the production of illicit liquor, an illegal trade controlled by the influential brothers Doreswamy (SK Ramakrishna) and Maara (Bheeshma Ramaiah).
A dialogue by Doreswamy, saying that lower-caste people should be treated as equals but reminded of their place, captures the power dynamics at the heart of the film. This mindset shapes the villagers’ loyalty, even when it works against their own well-being.
At the centre of the narrative is Karimuttu (Sai Shashi Kumar), a young man who has endured the loss of his entire family. His only hope for happiness lies in his relationship with Neela (Viranika Shetty), who loves him deeply and dreams of a peaceful future with him. Their plans, however, are shattered when Karimuttu is betrayed by those he trusts, people swayed by Doreswamy’s manipulative influence. Framed and jailed for illicit liquor production, Karimuttu is forced into a deserted struggle. At this time, Manikyam (Ashok Hegde) comes forward to clear his name. Karimuttu seizes this opportunity to ignite change within his community, leveraging his newfound political support from Manikyam. Whether he succeeds or not forms the emotional and moral core of Dharmam.
Set in a period backdrop, the film attempts to shed light on how marginalised groups were exploited for illegal labour and deliberately kept from progressing. While the story has compelling themes and a few decent performances, the narrative often feels uneven. Certain plot points intrigue, but the overall storytelling sometimes lacks clarity, causing the film’s message to lose impact.
Technically, Dharmam is competent—its cinematography captures the rugged landscape effectively, and the music supports the drama. Though the film doesn’t fully deliver on its potential, it attempts to be a distinct take on crime and caste-based exploitation.
Dharmam ends up being an average watch for those interested in socially rooted crime thrillers.