Ghost (Shivarajkumar) infiltrates the prison on a particular day and holds the prisoners hostage. His target, however, is corrupt CBI officer Vamana (Prashanth Narayan). Efficient police officer Chengappa (Jayaram) is immediately deputed to solve the issue. And thus begins the cat and mouse chase between an intelligent criminal and a ruthless police officer. The movie revolves around Shivarajkumar and Jayaram with them passing the baton between each other about being right and wrong. The first half keeps you glued to the screens with character establishments, scene transitions and plenty of whistle-worthy moments. Ghost establishes itself strongly as a mass movie with both style and substance here. But, post intermission logic seems to take a backseat as the film drifts towards the climax. There are a couple of loose ends that are left untied. Ghost is Shivarajkumar’s one-man show from start to end. The movie takes place in 48 hours, and abides by the gold-heist, action-thriller genre template. Though there is no scope for songs in the film, Arjun Janya’s background score lifts the mood. The theme music lingers on even after coming out of the theatre. Mahendra Simha’s camera work does leave an impact despite having a limited scope to explore. Jayaram is aggressive, but also manages to make the audience chuckle with his sarcasm. Dattanna, Archana Jois, Anupam Kher’s cameos are worth mentioning. Prashanth Narayan is a good baddie. A self-declared Shivarajkumar fan, director MG Srinivas executes the “Big Daddy” vision he had for Shivarajkumar in style. The de-aging scenes work best when the actor is mum. Once the character starts conversing, there is some inconsistency, with almost a dead-eye expression. Also, welcome to SCU; Srini’s Cinematic Universe. You not only get to meet Mahesh Das (main character from Birbal Trilogy), but also get to see a very big, interesting prelude to Ghost 2. Ghost is a one-of-its-kind heist thriller for the Kannada audience, packed with plenty of mass scenes catered and assembled particularly for Shivarajkumar’s fans.Read more

When we think of heist films, we often picture a group of individuals taking over a location for financial gain or other pecuniary reward. But what if there’s a heist film where the criminals use fake bullets, and their sole motivation is justice? Shivarajkumar’s latest movie is an absolute thrill ride, and it stays ahead of you at every twist and turn. It’s a mystery-packed ride from start to finish, keeping you intrigued and guessing throughout. This movie takes a unique approach to the heist genre. The director MG Srinivas’s vision is clear: to keep the audience fully engaged in the meticulous planning and plotting of the heist without distractions. There are no songs, romantic subplots, or love stories. Even emotional moments and dramatic scenes are saved for the end. This approach works in the director’s favor, as it allows the audience to become fully immersed in the movie, constantly thinking what will happen next. Ghost kicks off with an inauguration ceremony in a prison tower, where they’re celebrating the passing of a bill to privatise a prison in the city. However, as the story unfolds, we find out the decision is driven by greed. In a unique twist, this heist isn’t targeting a bank or an educational institution; it’s all about stealing from the prison itself, with no demands made to the government. The heist becomes a real conundrum for the criminals, as they find themselves needing to locate the very thing they came to steal. The mastermind behind the heist, referred to as Ghost and played by Shivarajkumar, sets on a mysterious mission whose true purpose is only revealed in the last 20 minutes of the film. He seizes control of the prison on the day of inauguration, infiltrates it with his team, but during the process, his primary target, Vaaman, gets shot. To protect Vaaman and ensure his survival, Ghost must fend off the outside forces led by Jayaram.The rapport between Jayaram, who essays the role of Chengappa, and Shivarajkumar is an interesting aspect of the film, especially when they engage in their cat-and-mouse game as a cop and criminal, respectively. In a surprise twist, Jayaram realises that the person impersonating Ghost was someone he had killed years ago. What unfolds next is a series of flashbacks and a glimpse into the world of Dalavayi gang, who previously killed the chief minister and his son. The revenge plot is skillfully executed, but it keeps you constantly thinking, trying to piece together what happened just a few minutes ago. The story is brimming with subplots and involves a lot of characters. In the end, the movie offers a triple dose of entertainment, and it showcases Shivanna in his element and the film promises a lot of action and high-octane sequences.The scenes and plans for their escape towards the end are carefully designed, although it feels like the director attempted to fit too many ideas into a single scene. Ghost’s storyline contains multiple subplots, while Shivarajkumar delivers several slow-motion walks, swagger moments, action sequences, and a multitude of crowd-pleasing dialogues for his fans. As the film nears its conclusion, a fresh twist emerges, altering the course of the story.Read more