Ghost (2023 film)

Ghost is a 2023 Indian Kannada-language heist action thriller film written and directed by M. G. Srinivas.[3] It stars Shiva Rajkumar, Jayaram, Anupam Kher, Prashant Narayanan, Satya Prakash, and Archana Jois. It is the first installement of a cinematic universe where M. G Srinivas will be reprising his role as Mahesh Das from Birbal Trilogy Case 1: Finding Vajramuni.[4]

Ghost
Theatrical release poster
Directed byM. G. Srinivas
Dialogues by
  • Prasanna V. M.
  • Maasti
Story byM. G. Srinivas
Produced bySandesh Nagaraj
Starring
CinematographyMahendra Simha
Edited byDeepu S. Kumar
Music byArjun Janya
Production
company
Sandesh Productions
Release date
  • 19 October 2023 (2023-10-19)
Running time
132 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada
Budget₹10−15 crore[2]

Ghost was released theatrically on 19 October 2023, coinciding with Dasara and received positive reviews from critics.

Plot

An anonymous person and his gang hijacks the central prison in Karnataka, where they hold prisoners, prison officials and ex-CBI officer Vamana Srinivasan hostage. ACP Chengappa is assigned to solve the hostage issue. A cat-and-mouse game ensues between the anonymous person and Chengappa, during which the person is revealed to be the notorious crime boss named Dalavayi Muddanna alias "Big Daddy".

Chengappa learns that Dalavayi and his gang hijacked the prison in order to steal hidden gold bars. It is revealed that Vamana had discovered the gold bars during a CBI raid and had hidden it in the prison due to public attention of a controversial gold scam. Vamana and the prison officer Thomas decided to retrieve the gold by implementing privatisation of the prison in order to distract the public, but one of Vamana's officer named Prabhu learnt about their plan and decide to expose their secrets. Vamana found out about Prabhu and killed him, making it look like a suicide. He also killed Prabhu's disabled wife Geetha after she learnt about his plan.

Dalavayi and his team find the gold in the prison's newly constructed library. Vamana initiates his next plan to release dangerous prisoners in order to kill Dalavayi and his team. However, they are revealed to be Dalavayi's previous henchmen. Chengappa learns about Dalavayi's history and is later revealed that he and his officers had killed Dalavayi in a car accident previously. Chengappa suspects that the one who hijacked the prison as Dalavayi is an imposter. He confirms the same and reveals the information to the henchmen.

The henchmen attack Dalavayi, but he manages to defeat them and initiates his escape plan by sending his henchmen to travel with the prisoners in the bus, while he transfers the real gold through remote control mini boats and keep the fake gold in the bus. He eventually escapes through a secret route, while Chengappa is unable to identify Dalavayi's henchmen. A few months later, due to pressure from the government, Home Minister Vijayalakshmi assigns a spy agency called "Pithamaha" headed by A. N. Rao to solve the case.

It is later revealed that the imposter posing as Dalavayi is actually Rao's son and Prabhu's elder brother Anand Rao. Anand and Rao learnt about Vamana's plan and his involvement in Prabhu and Geetha's deaths, and they decide to clear Prabhu's name and expose Vamana. Anand decided to pose as Dalavayi by wearing a prosthetic mask and hijacked the prison. He finally exposes Vamana and gets him arrested. While paying respects to Prabhu and Geetha, Anand gets a call from Dalavayi's son, who demands him to return the gold. Anand and Rao set out to confront Dalavayi's son, hinting at a sequel.

Cast

Music

The music of the film is composed by Arjun Janya. The first single titled "OGM" was released on 22 September 2023.

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."OGM"MC Chetan, Rajesh, ChiranjeeviMC Chetan, Jithin Raaj, Aishwarya Rangarajan2:45

Release

The first look was released on 12 July 2022, coinciding with the actor's birthday, while amotion poster was released on 2 January 2023.[8][9] The film's trailer was released on 1 October 2023. The film was released on 19 October 2023, coinciding with Dusshera.[10]

Home media

The digital streaming rights were acquired by ZEE5.[11]

welcome

Ghost received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics.

Critical response

A. Sharadhaa of Cinema Express gave 4/5 stars and wrote "Ghost offers thrilling moments, with Shivarajkumar's exceptional performance, along with the rest of the cast, elevating the viewing experience. It's unquestionably a film worth watching, and the anticipation of a sequel promises even more excitement."[12] Prathibha Joy of OTTplay gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Ghost is quite the thrilling two-hour ride and could just be the Dasara winner Kannada cinema has been looking for. It is, no doubt, meant for audiences who love fast-paced thrillers, punchlines, etc. It is, of course, a Shivanna fan’s delight, but more importantly, Ghost is that film that will have you walk out of the theatre contend at having had a good time."[13]

S. Sridevi of The Times of India gave 3/5 stars and wrote "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."[14] Vivek M. V of The Hindu wrote "Ghost is a film that deserves appreciation for its attempt; not so much for its result. Director Srini gets the best out of Kannada superstar Shivarajkumar, but fails to put together a smooth screenplay in this heist thriller."[15] Anindita Mukherjee of India Today gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "‘Ghost’ is a great watch for all those who love punches, fights and tough dialogues. And for those who don’t, you may still give it a chance."[16]

References
  1. "Ghost (2023)". British Board of Film Classification.
  2. "Ghost 2023: Release date, trailer, plot, cast, budget, OTT partner and more". OTTPlay. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  3. "MG Srinivas on Kannada film 'Ghost': It has nothing to do with the paranormal". The Hindu.
  4. "Filmmaker MG Srinivas teases Birbal-Ghost universe; writes 'Finally I am taking on a new case'". OTTplay.
  5. "Malayalam star Jayaram to act alongside Shivarajkumar in Ghost". The Times of India.
  6. "Anupam Kher To Make Kannada Debut With Shiva Rajkumar's Ghost, 1st Look Out". News 18.
  7. "Archana Jois plays a key role in Srini's Ghost". Cinema Express.
  8. "Ghost first look: Sudeep calls Shivarajkumar 'king of all masses' as he goes pan-India with his next film". The New Indian Express.
  9. "'Ghost' Motion Poster: Shivarajkumar plays a gangster for posterity". Ragalahari.
  10. Ghost | Big Daddy | Dr.Shivarajkumar | Sandesh N | Srini, retrieved 2023-07-25
  11. "'Ghost' streaming rights were acquired by ZEE5". Box Office Adda.
  12. "Ghost Movie Review: Shivarajkumar's electrifying performance holds the fort in Srini's multiverse". Cinema Express.
  13. "Ghost movie review: Shivarajkumar and MG Srinivas deliver on their promise of action heist thriller; it's fun, stylish and has substance too". OTTplay.
  14. "Ghost Review: Shivarajkumar's Ghost Is All Mass, Style And Substance". The Times of India.
  15. "'Ghost' movie review: Shivarajkumar shines in a potent yet complicated fanboy tribute". The Hindu.
  16. "Ghost' Movie Review: Shiva Rajkumar's film is all sass and mass". India Today.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.