Ramana Raj KV, who makes his directorial debut, struggles to juggle competing storylines. The result is a film that feels cluttered, disoriented, and unbalanced
FIR 6 to 6(2 / 5)
Vijay Raghavendra, known for his khaki-clad characters in films, once again steps into the role of a police officer in FIR 6 to 6. Having gained attention for playing law enforcement officers, the actor’s role as Inspector Garuda raises questions if the film stands on its own merit or simply follows a predictable formula that has worked in the past.
Direction: Ramana Raj KV
Cast: Vijay Raghavendra, Siri Raju, Yash Shetty Swathi Satish, and Yashaa S
With an uninspired title that merely signifies the time frame during which the events unfold, the film kicks off with an action-packed sequence, introducing Garuda (Vijay Raghavendra) in a tense atmosphere, driving through the city, seemingly ready for action. However, it soon descends into a confusing mess of disjointed subplots that fail to come together cohesively.
Garuda’s wife, Jyothi (Siri Raju), is trapped in their home as a group of miscreants attempts to break in. While Garuda races against time to save her, the narrative soon veers off course with multiple subplots. A girl tries to elope, only to fall into the hands of a dangerous man. A couple attending a wedding is caught by goons. And as if that weren’t enough, the film introduces yet another subplot involving drunken men causing chaos at a bar and chasing a man through the city.
Ramana Raj KV, who makes his directorial debut, struggles to juggle these competing storylines. The result is a film that feels cluttered, disoriented, and unbalanced. The pacing alternates between moments of urgency and dragged-out scenes that dilute the tension. In few instances, Garuda’s character keeps checking his watch and phone in a moment of urgency, but the next scene meanders through unrelated subplots, killing any momentum. The film transitions from a pub scene to an elopement attempt without any real sense of cohesion, making it hard to invest in the story.
The attempts at comic relief, seemingly intended to lighten the mood, feel forced and awkward, ultimately undermining the plot’s serious tone.
FIR 6 to 6’s main plotline, which holds potential for a gripping thriller, falters due to poor direction and uninspiring performances. Additionally, Vijay Raghavendra’s portrayal of Garuda fails to elevate the story. His character is yet another run-of-the-mill cop which follows predictable paths. The actor offers little emotional depth in the role, making it difficult for the audience to connect with his journey.
A drug mafia subplot is introduced later in the film, but it feels more like a last-minute addition than an organic part of the story. This narrative twist only serves to muddle the plot further. As the story progresses, it shifts focus back to Garuda, revealing a challenge from the antagonist (Yash Shetty), who only appears in the final scenes. Garuda is tasked with keeping a group of miscreants in prison for at least one night, before filing an FIR, a concept designed to justify the title FIR 6 to 6. However, neither the writing nor the direction builds any real suspense or excitement around this premise, rendering it largely irrelevant to the larger story.
The final stretch of the film— another predictable chase sequence—lacks excitement and falls flat. Garuda, despite being an experienced cop, engages in a chase that strains the film’s believability. At one point, he’s seen driving through the city, only to take illogical hours to reach his house, creating a glaring inconsistency in the film’s logic.
Further, the makers resort to unnecessarily objectifying the female lead and another female character, which feels out of place in the story.
Despite Vijay Raghavendra’s solid track record, his performance feels unoriginal and overly familiar. The film attempts to juggle too many themes—from family drama to elopement, drug mafias to cop chases— but fails to execute any of them effectively. With underwhelming performances and a convoluted storyline, FIR 6 to 6 ends up as a tedious and forgettable watch. One would hope that they could have rehashed familiar tropes more engagingly, but that doesn’t happen.
His role in FIR 6 to 6 makes it clear that Vijay Raghavendra is tired of playing the same old roles. Perhaps it’s time he takes a break from his khaki-clad characters and explores new territories that challenge his acting range and bring fresh depth to his performances.
News Credits: Cinema Express
