Sasanasabha: A Political Drama with Potential, Uneven Execution
Starring: Indra Sena, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Aishwarya Raj Bhakuni, Sonia Agarwal
Director: Venu Mandikanti
Music Director: Ravi Basrur
Cinematographer: Krishna Murali
Story:
Set in a fictional state embroiled in political turmoil, Sasanasabha explores the aftermath of an inconclusive election. No party holds a majority, leaving independent MLAs as kingmakers. The scheming ex-CM seeks the help of a powerful political figure, Durga (Amit Tiwari), who is currently incarcerated. Enter Surya (Indra Sena), who saves Durga from a murder attempt. Durga makes Surya a tempting offer, propelling him into the heart of political maneuvering.
Hits:
- Engaging First Half: The film initially captivates viewers with its portrayal of the political landscape. It effectively establishes characters and weaves an intriguing web of political intrigue. The strategic maneuvering between parties is depicted as a tense chess game, keeping the audience engaged.
- Thought-provoking Dialogues: Sasanasabha features well-written dialogues that prompt reflection. A noteworthy scene explores the potential downsides of government handouts. The film also bravely touches upon contemporary political issues.
- Strong Performances: Indra Sena delivers a solid performance as the protagonist, particularly excelling in action sequences. Veteran actor Dr. Rajendra Prasad shines in his role. The supporting cast, including Aishwarya Raj Bhakuni, Sonia Agarwal, and Prudhvi Raj, provide decent performances.
Misses:
- Uneven Pacing: The film’s strength wanes considerably in the second half. The narrative loses momentum with an influx of tedious and forgettable scenes. The initial fast pace grinds to a halt, leaving viewers disengaged.
- Excessive Flashbacks: Two lengthy flashback sequences disrupt the flow of the story and fail to leave a lasting impression. The second flashback, in particular, drags on unnecessarily, adding to the film’s runtime. Tighter editing could have significantly improved this aspect.
- Rushed Ending: Due to the bloated flashbacks, the film’s climax feels hurried. Important plot points introduced during this rushed conclusion go underdeveloped.
- Unnecessary Songs: The inclusion of songs feels out of place in a political drama like Sasanasabha. They disrupt the film’s flow and dilute its impact, especially when poorly timed. The visual effects (VFX) also fall short of expectations in certain scenes.
Technical Aspects:
- Score: Music by Ravi Basrur, known for his work in KGF, elevates the film with a powerful background score that heightens tension and drama.
- Cinematography: Krishna Murali’s camerawork is impressive, particularly in scenes like the prison fight and the assembly set.
- Editing: As previously mentioned, the editing is a weak point. The film’s runtime could have been significantly improved by trimming unnecessary scenes, especially within the flashbacks.
- Production Value: The production design is commendable, with rich visuals throughout.
Verdict:
Sasanasabha offers a promising premise but falters in execution. The first half delivers an engaging portrayal of political machinations. However, the second half suffers from a slow pace, excessive flashbacks, and a rushed conclusion. While the performances are commendable, they cannot salvage the film’s unevenness. Sasanasabha might be a passable weekend watch for those seeking glimpses of political intrigue, but overall, it’s a missed opportunity.