A traffic cop and a retired inspector end up crossing paths, when the former decides to solve a murder case that dates back over three decades ago. Will they find the killer?



Neo noir films are few in Sandalwood and the promotional material of Kavaludaari promised something for fans of this genre. Director Hemanth M Rao proved he is a good storyteller with his debut feature Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu. So, the expectations were automatically higher, add to that the fact that this is the first film from Puneeth Rajkumar's new banner, it increases it by two folds. Kavaludaari does live up to the hype and expectations.



The film unfolds with a murder scene in the 1970s, with sporadic visuals. From this scene, one is transported to present day, where a traffic cop is seen aspiring to wear full khakhi and get a transfer to the crime department. While these hopes see no fruition, he stumbles upon a murder case that awakens the crime-solving cop in him. He sets out on the hunt for the killers, which leads him to find an accomplice in a retired, alcoholic inspector, who was originally the investigating officer in that case. As they move on the trail, the case presents many twists and turns.



When it comes to neo noir films in India, often the films face an impediment with the staple masala ingredients being yoked in. Luckily, Kavaludaari is devoid of that. In fact, all that the makers have shared till now — be it the songs, the trailer or the posters — only have revealed what's in store in the first half. So, there is ample mystery left for viewers, in terms of the story and the cast. The characters, like in Hemanth's first, aren't shown as either black or white. The grey shades and the more realistic portrayals make the tale more relatable.



The film belongs to Rishi, who stands out as the traffic cop who is trying to challenge himself by solving a case that the crime department has labelled as dead end. Anant Nag is delightful as ever. Achyuth Kumar and Sampath also deserve a mention. The ensemble cast seems to have been carefully picked, with every actor fitting their part, be it in big or small roles. Advaitha Gurumurthy's camerawork and Charan Raj MR's music amp up the narrative.



Kavaludaari is a well-written tale that unfolds at its own pace. It is devoid of most of the trappings of commercial cinema, which gives it a breath of fresh air. Go ahead and watch this film, as it stands out amid the usual narratives that are hitting the screens.

