The anticipation was sky-high. With a story by KGF mastermind Prashant Neel and Hombale Films backing it, Bagheera was supposed to be a game-changer, the kind of film that catapults a medium-range hero like Sreemurali into stardom. The buzz was electric, and audiences were ready to witness the magic Neel is known for. But as the curtains rose, reality set in, and that spark quickly dimmed. For all the grand hype, Bagheera barely managed to scratch the surface, leaving fans wondering: did Prashant Neel’s magic finally run out?
The plotline of Bagheera falls into well-trodden territory. The story revolves around ACP Vedant (played by Sreemurali), a police officer fueled by childhood dreams of heroism. Inspired by the idea of law enforcers as modern-day superheroes, Vedant joins the police force only to find himself hamstrung by bureaucratic limitations. But when tragedy strikes, he takes matters into his own hands, transforming into the mysterious “Bagheera” who prowls the night, doling out justice. Eventually, his path crosses with Rana (Garuda Ram), leading to a predictable showdown. For an audience primed to expect groundbreaking storytelling, this setup is a letdown, as the film follows a path familiar to any mass-action aficionado.
The execution by director Dr. Suri sticks to formula, making Bagheera a collage of action tropes and love tracks rather than a fresh take. The romance with Rukmini Vasanth feels almost obligatory, and the confrontations lack genuine intensity. What’s more, the underwhelming interaction between Vedant and Rana before the climax leaves viewers craving a powerful hero-villain chemistry that never quite materializes. The action sequences, though well-composed, feel disconnected due to a lack of emotional depth—a stark contrast to the engaging character arcs seen in KGF or the much-anticipated Salaar.
By the end of it, Bagheera leaves you feeling like you’re watching an action film on autopilot. Even the most patient viewer might find themselves checking the time, waiting for the thrills to kick in. As one disappointed fan joked on the way out, “Maybe Prashant Neel just had a bad day at the office when he dreamed up this one!” And in Bagheera’s case, perhaps it’s a good thing that this cat may only have one life.