You won’t see this one coming: Rai is reuniting with Pankaj Tripathi for a cameo in Dharma. It’s a dog-anchored family drama with a screen full of hounds – 240 of them. The film is in post and being put together for a July 24 date.
Why you’ll like ‘Dharma’
Rai isn’t after the usual one-man show. He has put together a tale where the humans are in orbit of a very unorthodox lead: a dog. It’s a move that upends the emotional tone and allows for some good-natured, kid-friendly moments without the story losing its way.
What makes it different:
– The dog is the star
– Some 240 of them in fact
– Made for the whole family
– Storytelling with a bit of heart
Then there is Pankaj Tripathi
The last time we saw Tripathi and Rai was on Oh My God 2, but he’s back for a brief turn in Dharma. Word is his part will make itself felt. You know how he is with a scene; in a movie about the ties between people and their pets, his kind of presence is hard to top.
If you were into what he did in Oh My God 2, you’ll be wondering how he brings that to a film with a dog at the helm. It’s not about how long he’s on screen, but what he leaves behind.
Who else is in it
You have Maahi Rai front and centre, with Geeta Aggarwal Sharma in an important part. Rajesh Kumar (yes, from Sarabhai vs Sarabhai) is in the mix too. They’re an ensemble put in place to back up the dog’s story, not to overshadow it.
Talk to the people on the project and they’ll tell you the casting is in service of the plot. In the end, you get a collection of performances with one thing in mind: to put the human-animal connection on display.
Where things stand
Post-production is underway and the makers are looking at a July 24 release. They’ve got the main points in order and are now nailing down the details, be it the score or the logistics of 240 trained dogs.
A number like 240 means a lot of work on set. If they pull it off, it should be the sort of no-fuss, feel-good movie that puts a smile on a child’s face and gives the parents something to be into as well.
Tripathi’s next move
While Dharma is making some noise, Tripathi has a full plate. He is the lead in Mirzapur The Film, which Gurmmeet Singh has put to paper with Puneet Krishna and is due in cinemas September 4. Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar are the producers on that one.
Look at the names: Ali Fasal, Rasika Duggal, Divyenndu, Jitendra Kumar, Ravi Kishan, Abhishek Banerjee, Shweta Tripathi, Mohit Malik, Sheeba Chadha, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Sonal Chauhan… and more. A change of pace, but you can count on the Tripathi draw.
The bottom line
Oh My God 2 is still in the rearview mirror, so Dharma is a bit of a departure for Rai. He’s going for the real stuff instead of the bluster. Get the tone right and you have a film for the school holidays that even the grandparents can sit through with the rest of the family.
It’s a no-brainer for some. A dog-driven plot, a director you know, a cameo you like, and a date when everyone is free. Put July 24 in your calendar if you prefer a little heart to all the fuss.
