Following the muted buzz created by 2022’s enigmatic black-magic drama ‘Avatara Purusha’, fans of the genre were expectant for a sequel that would enhance the tale’s mysteries and spellbind the audience. The film, featuring the charismatic Sharan alongside Ashika Ranganath, initially hooked viewers with a promising start, offering a blend of intrigue and hope for a compelling continuation. The premise set by the prequel presented a canvas for a rich tapestry of supernatural incidents, yet the filmmakers faced criticism for stretching the plot unnecessarily in anticipation of a second part. Despite intermittent humor and engaging moments, the middle sections of the first installment largely failed to enchant.
As the curtain rose on ‘Avatara Purusha 2’, there was a brief recap narrating the stark divide between Rama Jois (Saikumar), an Ayurvedic expert, and his sister Yashoda (Sudharani), stemming from a tragic incident at a temple fair where Rama’s son Karna went missing. The fissure expanded as years passed, but the desire for reconciliation led Yashoda’s daughter, Siri (Ashika Ranganath), to draft Anil (Sharan), a junior film artist, into a charade posing as the lost Karna in a quest to reunite the fragmented family. The grand finale of this machination revealed Anil’s past, setting the stage for the sequel.
With expectations set, ‘Avatara Purusha 2’ commenced with poise, delving into Anil’s dark reflections on his childhood within the grasp of a black-magic cult led by the nefarious Dharka (Ashutosh Rana). Having escaped his grim affiliations and undergone a moral reformation beneath the tutelage of a spiritual mentor, Anil is again drawn into the shadows by Dharka’s conspiracy against Rama Jois and his kin. The coveted gemstone, a portal key to the elusive Trishanku Loka, a place dangling between heaven and Earth, hung in the balance. The weight of thwarting Dharka and safeguarding the family fell upon Anil’s shoulders.
Sharpened by Sharan’s engaging screen presence, the film retains a level of watchability, his comedy a lifeline amidst otherwise drab scenes. Yet comedic relief falls short of salvation once the narrative plunges into its supernatural elements. Instead of immersing the audience in the atmospheric depths of witchcraft and sorcery, the film succumbs to a disjointed and rhythmless storytelling approach. The anticlimactic battle between Anil and Dharka culminates in a spectacle that fails to awe or terrify viewers in equal measure.
Regrettably, the sequel is also marred by a deficient entertainment quotient, bereft of riveting drama. The production quality reflects constraints with subpar special effects and unremarkable set designs, drawing viewers out of the intended fantasy world and revealing the strings behind the magic.
Despite the shortcomings, director Suni’s creative spark is evident, though the kindling never fully ignites to deliver an engrossing narrative — a common critique that applies to his previous works. Suni’s films often find a kindred spirit with audiences over time, despite initial tepid receptions. With ‘Avatara Purusha 2’ now screening in theaters, it seems Suni will be hoping for a similar gradual embrace, given the lukewarm theatrical turnout for its debut.
Kannada cinema undoubtedly paves its own path in the larger landscape of Indian film, and while ‘Avatara Purusha 2’ struggles to cast its intended spell, it stands as a testament to the industry’s relentless pursuit of varied narrative experiences. Whether it eventually finds its crowd will determine if the movie’s black magic may yet have some unseen tricks up its sleeve.
