Martin Movie Review: Dhruva Sarja’s Action-Packed Dual Role

Martin Movie Review: Overview

Introduction: “Martin,” featuring Dhruva Sarja in the lead role and directed by A.P. Arjun, was released in theaters on October 11.

Vaibhavi Shandilya plays the female lead, with music composed by Mani Sharma and background score by Ravi Basrur. The story, provided by hero Arjun, started streaming on Amazon Prime on November 15.

Plot: The story begins in Pakistan, where Arjun (Dhruva Sarja) recovers in a hospital after being injured during a gangsters’ clash.

An anonymous order from a mysterious person in New York leads to Arjun receiving an injection that causes memory loss.

Realizing he is in danger, Arjun escapes and, through an encounter with a man who recognizes him, learns his identity and origins in India.

Arjun visits Regina’s house to meet her based on this man’s advice, only to discover she has been murdered. From a clue she left, Arjun learns about Martin, who is pursuing him.

He contacts a phone number Regina provided, only to understand that he came to Pakistan to catch Martin. Eventually, Arjun manages to return to India, determined to protect his friends Parashuram and Vivek, as well as his fiancée Preethi (Vaibhavi Shandilya).

However, new challenges arise when a threat from Mustaq confronts him. The narrative revolves around how Arjun faces Martin, the dangers from Mustaq, and their shared history.

Analysis: The film showcases Dhruva Sarja in dual roles, with one character introduced in the first half and the other in the second half.

One character is a gangster, while the other serves as a navy officer. The clash over illicit arms worth 12,000 crores forms the crux of the hero-villain conflict, driving the plot with heavy action sequences.

The movie opens with a large-scale action scene, maintaining a chaotic pace for a while. The interval twist adds intrigue, although subsequent flashback scenes may confuse general audiences, requiring time to understand what is happening.

Dhruva Sarja’s character introduction and portrayal depict him with a mix of aggression and wild behavior, which might come off as excessive to the audience.

The emotional connection between the hero and villain is weak, leaving viewers detached from the fight scenes. Over-the-top action sequences, excessive chases, and shootouts become tiresome, with additional loud shouting exacerbating the issue. Tanks and helicopters are also used, which might seem unnecessary.

When the same actor plays both the hero and villain, it can reduce tension, as the conflict loses its stakes. Just when the audience assumes the story has ended, a new look and character for the hero prolongs the narrative.

Performance: Dhruva Sarja, who has a solid fan following in Kannada cinema, carries the film with grandeur fitting his mass appeal.

However, the story and his dual roles needed more depth. Over-reliance on action without balancing romance, comedy, or family emotions is a downside. Films where the same actor plays both hero and villain rarely succeed in fully engaging audiences, as seen here.

The lack of well-developed supporting characters around the protagonist and antagonist is another drawback.

The story by action king Arjun is unclear in its narration. Mani Sharma’s music and Ravi Basrur’s background score fail to create the desired impact.

While Satya Hegde’s cinematography is adequate, Prakash’s editing could have trimmed some lengthy action sequences. Ultimately, the failure to weave a strong story around the action disappoints viewers.

Also Read: Kishkindha Kaandam Review: Memory, Mystery, and Family Secrets Unraveled

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