On November 15, director Narthan and Century Star Shivarajkumar bring the story of Bhairathi Ranagal, Ronapura’s crime boss, as was seen in Mufti, to theatres. The film, Bhairathi Rangal, is a prequel, exploring how Ranagal came to be a feared machete-wielding crime boss, while also protecting the interests of the people of Ronapura.

According to the promotional material of the film that has been made available to audiences, Ranagal was a law-abiding advocate, who loses faith in the system, and has to take to violence to fight for the rights of his people. What is it that pushes him to ditch his life as a lawyer and take on a gangster avatar is what Narthan and Shivarajkumar will tell in this film.

The actor’s plan was to give Mufti a theatrical re-release before Bhairathi Ranagal, to refresh audiences memory of the character. This did not pan out, but considering that it’s been 7 years since Mufti came out, a quick recap would be ideal. Mufti is available to stream on Zee5 as well as on OTTplay Premium.

Here’s why a Mufti re-watch is a good idea…

• Mufti is a commercial entertainer, with action, emotions, romance, comedy and more. It is a complete entertainer and was one of the biggest hits of 2017. 
• Shivarajkumar’s black-on-black outfit, a black shirt and black panche, was an instant hit with audiences and is one of the most widely copied film looks. His introductory scene in the film is considered one of the best in Kannada cinema.
• Mufti was the first collaborative effort of Shivarajkumar and Sriimurali. Although the film’s title alludes to Sriimurali’s undercover cop character, it is Shivarajkumar as Ranagal, who literally walks away with the film.
• Ranagal is one of Shivarajkumar’s most popular characters and the first to get an origin story. In Mufti, he is the do-gooder for the people of Ronapura, but also a most-wanted criminal for the cops. What Ranagal is like in present day is what Mufti explores, while Bhairathi Ranagal will shed light on what made him the way he is.
  
  

• Shivarajkumar has admitted that he was sceptical about playing Rangal, because of the character’s grey shades. And yet that is what appealed to audiences the most – the fact that this ruthless gangster also has a heart of gold.
   
• Mufti is one of Sriimurali’s best films and while he and Shivarajkumar do not have too many combination scenes, given that the latter appears only in the second half of the film, their collaboration is the major highlight of the film.
• Ravi Basrur’s music elevates Mufti and how.
• Also on the cast of the film are Vasishta N Simha, Devaraj, Chaya Singh, Madhu Guruswamy, Shanvi Srivastava, Babu Hirannaiah, Prakash Belawadi, Bala Rajawadi, among others. Some, like Vasishta, Chaya, Madhu and Devaraj reprise their roles in the prequel as well.

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