A still from ‘Mango Pachcha’
| Photo Credit: KRG Studios
In his debut, Sanchith Sanjeev is introduced with his intense stare at the camera. It’s a sign of what to expect from the launch of Sanchith, the nephew of superstar Kichcha Sudeep. Debutant director Viveka uses his hero’s acting chops to elevate the character. The director exhibits impressive cinematic flourishes to present Sanchith as a dynamic hero.The story of Mango Pachcha isn’t such that you expect a rousing welcome for the protagonist. It’s smart to skip the typical hero-introduction song, because Prashantha a.k.a Pachcha doesn’t have the personality of a standard hero, who dances and delivers punch dialogues. A lot is going on inside Pachcha’s mind. A troubled childhood and a series of incidents that have rattled his family have pushed him against the wall.Mango Pachcha (Kannada)Director: VivekaCast: Sanchith Sanjeev, Kajal Kundar, Mayur Patel, Uggram ManjuRuntime: 95 minutesStoryline: Set in Mysuru of early 2000s, the film follows Pachcha, a fearless young man who defies odds to reclaim his territory and become a local legendHandsome money convinces Pachcha — surrounded by his brother, mother, and girlfriend (Kajal Kundar) — to abandon his simple life as a DVD shop owner. The film repeatedly conveys the hero’s yearning for respect from society, and it’s this mindset that forces Pachcha to do illegal drug trading, even if it involves dealing with a hostile politician and his stepbrother, with whom he shares a love-hate relationship. How often do we see an actor being launched with an unconventional character? Pachcha is on the wrong side of the law, and the story brings out his vulnerable side.Set in Mysuru of the early 2000s, Mango Pachcha treats the city as an important character. References to kings and empires act as metaphors for Pachcha’s rise, with the best idea being a slow-motion shot of the hero, with the ‘Star of Mysore’ (the city’s popular Evening Daily Newspaper) logo behind him. I also liked a scene that depicts a Mysurean’s mindset of seeing Bengaluru as an aspirational city, and how Pachcha finds the thought overrated.Before its release, the film’s 95-minute runtime was much-talked-about. In a way, the runtime actually decides what kind of film Mango Pachcha turns out to be. Viveka and team treat the film like a racy thriller. Almost every scene is edited with meticulousness. In some places, this approach feels like rhythmic storytelling, while in some scenes, we are left wanting more. Mango Pachcha appears to be a carefully executed output in terms of form. The fights are slick and stylish, the slow-mos are effective, and the montage songs elevate the narration, with a fantastic Charan Raj delivering brilliant music.Director Viveka’s intention to make Mango Pachcha a gripping thriller affects the story’s emotional resonance. Pachcha speaks of humiliation and of wanting to build an empire to redeem himself before those who insulted him. But at the end of the film, you don’t feel emotionally attached to his story, due to the lack of depth in the characters around him. Even if you know the plight of Pachcha’s loved ones, you aren’t moved because their journeys are shown in bits and pieces.Mango Pachcha largely depends on the screen presence of its protagonist, and Sanchith is rightly cast. The film, however, doesn’t really push him as a performer, except for a few scenes. The problem with stories that aren’t extraordinary is that you need something outrageous in the end so that the film remains in your head even after it’s over. However, Mango Pachcha ends relatively tame, with the cameo from a star just barely salvaging the plain climax. That said, for pulling off an engaging thriller without generic ideas, team Mango Pachcha deserves praise.Mango Pachcha is currently running in theatres Published - June 05, 2026 05:37 pm IST
