Looty marks the comeback of actor Isha Koppikar to Kannada movies after almost two decades (18 years). The movie finally saw the light of the day after three long years. However, honestly speaking, watching a 2015 film in 2018 makes no sense. So much has happened over three years – like demonetisation – and a bank robbery themed movie, without updates, appears unrealistic and boring.
The movie opens with a shoddily-shot bank robbery sequence. A gang of friends loots money from a bank in Hyderabad and decides to settle down in Bengaluru. But, the news of the robbery spreads like wildfire and they are forced to abandon the ‘bag with loot’ just before the checkpost.
ACP Durga Bhavani (Isha Koppikar) is introduced to us as a tough officer with a lot of unnecessary buildup. She is made in charge of solving this robbery case and we already know where this is going. Meanwhile, a mentally ill ragpicker (B Jayashri) finds the abandoned bag and develops ‘affection towards the bag’ (Seriously! No kidding). Also, mind you, she doesn’t know that there is money inside the bag. She just carries the ‘good-looking bag’ everywhere with her and creates a scene or thrashes anybody who comes to take it away from her. And all this, without knowing there is money inside the bag.
The gang soon finds out about her and keeps following her to steal the bag from her. Meanwhile, another small gang involved in petty crimes in Bengaluru also follows her. Who gets to keep the bag with all the money takes us towards a yawn-inducing climax.
Looty sets a new standard for how to make a bad film. Director Girish Kamplapur's attempt to bring out a comedy thriller falls flat in every category. The story lacks intensity, the actors look tired and drained and the joke is on us for paying money to watch the film. The little said about the music, the better.
Isha Koppikar and Shweta Pandit are the only saving grace. The look fabulous and have done their parts well. Isha dons khaki in style but the director also makes her dance for an item number, reminding one of '80s thrillers where women police officers would disguise themselves as item dancers to trap villains.
The movie is pitted against Shankar and Rajinikanth’s magnum opus 2.0 this week. Well, while the makers of 2.0 are busy laughing their way to the bank, we can only hope that in future, Sandalwood will come up with better films than this inspid bank robbery tale.
Disclaimer: This review was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the film. Neither TNM nor any of its reviewers have any sort of business relationship with the film's producers or any other members of its cast and crew.