Vinay Rajkumar’s action drama is stylish yet shallow
Storyline: Two groups are divided by a stream. It takes one brave man to stand up for the oppressed as he takes on the dominant community
pepe
In Pepe, director Shreelesh S Nair’s pillars of support are music composer Poornachandra Tejaswi and cinematographer Abhishek Kasargod. The director’s world-building is driven by Tejaswi’s chilling score and Abhishek’s flamboyant shots.
Shreelesh sets up Pepe’s story with great enthusiasm. He introduces a diverse cast of characters that pique our interest. The tale of two villages divided by a stream feels like the beginning of an epic adventure. As the oppressed fight against the dominant caste for equality tensions rise. Pepe a fiery young man becomes the face of the oppressed’s struggle for justice. The film also sheds light on women’s rights through the character of Kaajal Kunder. Despite some powerful dialogues and creative scenes the film falters in its execution losing its impact in the second half due to excessive violence and lack of drama.