The story revolves around Hemanth Kumar (Pramod Shetty), a police officer known for his unconventional methods and offbeat personality. Deeply in love with his wife Swathi (Aadya Priya), Hemanth’s personal life is simple, but his professional life takes a turn when he is forced to investigate the murder of Kumar, a police informant. Solving the case might finally earn him the recognition he has long been seeking — forming the crux of the narrative.
Shabaash Baddi Magane Movie Review : Shabhash Baddimagne review: Pramod Shetty shines in this formulaic murder mystery
Critic’s Rating: 2.5/5
Plot: Police officer Hemanth Kumar (Hemanth Shetty) is deeply in love with his wife, and is often negligent towards his duties. When a murder occurs in town, he has to buckle up and get back to work.
Review: Films that blend crime investigations with personal stories of flawed protagonists have always held appeal, especially when they manage to balance suspense, character development, and emotional depth. This film, centered around a quirky police officer tasked with solving a murder, attempts to walk that fine line. With Pramod Shetty at the helm, the film certainly had the potential to be an engaging character-driven investigative drama. However, while the intent is clear, the execution leaves much to be desired.
The story revolves around Hemanth Kumar (Pramod Shetty), a police officer known for his unconventional methods and offbeat personality. Deeply in love with his wife Swathi (Aadya Priya), Hemanth’s personal life is simple, but his professional life takes a turn when he is forced to investigate the murder of Kumar, a police informant. Solving the case might finally earn him the recognition he has long been seeking — forming the crux of the narrative.
The first half of the film is almost entirely dedicated to introducing characters and their dynamics — from Gowda and two policemen to Kumar’s sister and several others. While building a world with multiple characters can add richness, here it slows down the film considerably. The core plot — the murder investigation — takes a backseat for too long, making the first half feel like a lengthy prologue.
Clocking in at 2 hours and 23 minutes, the film begins to drag, particularly because the story doesn’t gather momentum quickly enough. Several scenes feel unnecessarily stretched, and some of the character dynamics — though well-intentioned — don’t add much to the central conflict.
Performance-wise, Pramod Shetty is undoubtedly the film’s biggest strength. His natural ease in front of the camera, combined with his flair for blending humor and sincerity, gives the film its only consistent spark. He genuinely tries to carry the film on his shoulders, but the weight of weak writing and patchy execution is too much for even him to save. The supporting cast, dominated by influencer-turned-actors, unfortunately lacks the acting depth needed to create authentic and emotionally engaging moments.
The cinematography feels functional at best, rarely enhancing the storytelling. The music, instead of adding layers to the emotions or the narrative, feels outdated and often out of sync with the tone. Adding to this, the editing is uneven, with abrupt scene transitions that hinder the flow.
There are glimpses of what the film wanted to be — a grounded, character-driven crime story with emotional undercurrents — but the execution falls well short of the ambition.
Overall, this is a sincere effort that suffers from weak storytelling, uneven performances, and technical inconsistencies. While Pramod Shetty’s earnest performance offers some respite, it’s not enough to overcome the film’s structural flaws. Shabhash Baddimagne is a missed opportunity, despite a strong central performance.
News Credits: Times of India
