Agnyathavasi movie narrative: Following the death of affluent landlord Srinivasaiah (Sharath Lohithashwa), the local police station's officer-in-charge (Rangayana Raghu, who remains unnamed throughout the film) suspects foul play. As he investigates to substantiate his suspicions, efforts are initiated to locate Srinivasaiah’s estranged son, Arun, who had relocated abroad to establish his own life, much to his father's discontent.

The sole individual maintaining contact with Arun is Rohit (Siddu Moolimani), a tech-savvy young man with a computer and internet access, who has taken on the role of a modern-day postman, facilitating email communication for villagers with their relatives in distant places. However, when Rohit is also found dead, the intrigue surrounding the case intensifies.

Agnyathavasi Movie Review: Throughout the promotional interviews for Agnyathavasi, filmmaker Hemanth M Rao, who produced the film directed by Janardhan Chikkanna (known for Gultoo), expressed his admiration for the screenplay. The film employs a non-linear narrative that shifts back and forth, offering various perspectives on different scenarios through the eyes of multiple characters. This storytelling approach may take some time to acclimate to, and one might find the repetition of scenes somewhat tedious.

The storyline was satisfactory, and I found the non-linear format to be manageable, as well as the late 90s setting, which felt nostalgic. The visuals were impressive, and the background score was even more captivating, complemented by strong performances from the cast. By the conclusion of the first half, I was thoroughly engaged and eager to see what would unfold next. However, as I exited the screening, I was left with a sense of mild disappointment regarding the overall experience.

A murder mystery, Agnyathavasi centers on the death of a wealthy individual in a tranquil village in Malnad. Although the villagers were not particularly fond of him, none harbored a significant enough resentment to wish him dead, or so the police believed, until they revealed the motivations behind the crime and its subsequent consequences. Up to this point, I found the film engaging; however, it then transitioned into a flashback that detailed how the detective managed to solve the case without any technological assistance.

Agnyathavasi was marketed as a vehicle for Rangayana Raghu, similar to Shakhahaari, but this characterization undermines the performances of the supporting cast, particularly Siddu Moolimani, Ravishankar Gowda, and Paavana Gowda, who all excelled in their respective roles. There were several additional characters that contributed little to the narrative, creating an illusion of complexity where there was none. For example, Yamuna Srinidhi, portraying the local mason, expresses concern over the ongoing roof repairs at the police station, a task she has been handling for years, which ultimately remains unresolved.

Agnyathavasi movie verdict: Agnyathavasi may not be the most suspenseful murder mystery thriller, as enthusiasts of the genre are likely to solve the puzzle well before the conclusion. However, this does not render it a poor film. It contains several noteworthy moments, but they fall short of providing a completely fulfilling viewing experience.

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