Movie Review: "Made in Bengaluru" - A Bumpy Startup Journey for a Middle-Class Boy on Amazon Prime

"Made in Bengaluru" directed by Pradeep Sastry tells the story of Suhas, an engineer who dreams of starting his own business. To fund his startup, he takes a shortcut by borrowing a significant amount of money from Mohan Reddy, a gangster. Reddy agrees to lend the money but sets a condition that Suhas must repay double the amount after a year. As Suhas embarks on his entrepreneurial journey, he faces numerous challenges that threaten to derail his dreams.

                                           


The film begins with Suhas quitting his IT job to pursue his startup idea—a farm-to-fork app that connects farmers with consumers. Despite coming from a financially struggling background, Suhas's parents support his ambitions. He convinces his friends Dinesh and Rahul to join him, forming a team to bring his vision to life. Suhas approaches Mohan Reddy for the loan, and things initially go smoothly.

However, complications arise when Nidhi, a new employee, joins the team and brings workplace discipline. Suhas falls in love with her, and together, they work on developing the app and hire a marketing team. Hash, a developer, enters the picture, charging a significant fee for his services. After three months, the team discovers that Nidhi and Hash have fled with the money and app codes, leading to a personal and professional betrayal for Suhas. The film explores whether Suhas can overcome these obstacles and bounce back.

"Made in Bengaluru" takes viewers on a journey through the trials and tribulations of a middle-class boy who experiences both success and failure in a short period. The film strikes a balance between comedy and drama, with several funny scenes and engaging performances. Despite featuring mostly fresh faces, the actors deliver natural and realistic performances, making the story relatable.

Madhusudhan Govind, in his debut film, shines in the lead role of Suhas, showcasing different shades of his character and carrying the film on his shoulders. Shankar Murthy's portrayal of Bhatta stands out in the emotional scenes. Seasoned actors Anant Nag, Sai Kumar, and Prakash Belawadi provide strong support to the film's narrative. Director Pradeep Sastry, in his debut effort, connects with the younger audience and executes the film well, despite minor flaws.

The film's soundtrack, featuring a blend of melodies, rock, and punk, complements the overall feel of the story. However, the film's pace occasionally feels slow, particularly in the second half, and some elements, such as the "tribute to Bengaluru," may have been oversold without substantial representation. Nevertheless, "Made in Bengaluru" remains a decent watch for its fresh concept and top-notch performances.

The 170-minute runtime, slow pace, and erratic storytelling in the second half contribute to the film's downfall. The focus shifts abruptly, and the character arcs and conflicts feel contrived. The portrayal of certain characters, like a caricaturish "Keralite" and a romanticized "mother" limited to cooking, falls into clichés.

Despite these flaws, the film introduces promising new talents, with Madhusudhan Govind delivering a commendable performance as the protagonist. The seasoned actors in supporting roles also do justice to their characters. The slapstick comedy sequences have their moments but can become tiresome. The cinematography captures the mood and tone of the film effectively, while the soundtrack offers enjoyable songs.

In conclusion, "Made in Bengaluru" showcases a bumpy startup journey for a middle-class boy, featuring engaging performances and a fresh concept. While the film has its flaws, it still manages to be an entertaining watch.

Watch the movie on Amazon Prime (click here ) and write your feedback in the comments section