The Kannada film Maharshi is not only an extreme violent action drama without a credible story, but a perfect example of a thoroughly incompetent and boring venture can still be made. The A-certificate notwithstanding, Maharshi has several sequences where the dialogues are muted and the so called action and song sequences are vulgarly choreographed.
It becomes crystal clear in the beginning itself that the film's director Krishna Brahma has just rehashed several commercial potboilers from Telugu to make this one. It is quite evident Krishna is totally unaware of the nativity of Karnataka. Even his knowledge of the procedures and the protocol of the Police Department is questionable.
The first half of the film is a little engaging though there are many intolerable silly comedy sequences. You have disgusting scenes like where a women lecturer is chased by the rowdy elements to rape her. But the film moves fast and some of the songs are pleasant to watch.
Then comes the second half where sword and sickle fights take over. The hero kills at least twenty people with his sword in the climax.
The narration of Maharshi is loud and crude from the first sequence. You see all the characters speaking in loud voices, including the Police Commissioner. Most of the characters use foul language.
Now about the story (sic). Maharshi comes to the city with his mother and sister. He is such an innocent person who shies away from any confrontation that he becomes an easy target for ragging. But he handles those situations intelligently. Meanwhile, Manasa Veena wants to marry him.
Once he has to take on a rowdy element who is the brother of Poojary, a big don in the city. He is forced take revenge on Poojari after losing his mother and sister.
Maharshi is a warning sign for Pooja Gandhi to rethink her roles. In Maharshi she does nothing other than expose. Prashanth had shown promise in his first film, but in Maharshi he just shouts crude dialogues most of the time. The film's photography and music do not merit any favourable mention. Avoid this venture.
Rediff Rating: 
