Ghost
Theatrical release poster
Directed byM. G. Srinivas
Dialogues by
  • Prasanna V. M.
  • Maasti
Story byM. G. Srinivas
Produced bySandesh Nagaraj
Starring
CinematographyMahendra Simha
Edited byDeepu S. Kumar
Music byArjun Janya
Production
company
Sandesh Productions
Release date
  • 19 October 2023 (2023-10-19)
Running time
132 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada
Budget₹15 crore[2]
Box office₹24.30 crore[3] to ₹30.28 crores [4]

Ghost is a 2023 Indian Kannada-language action heist thriller film directed by M. G. Srinivas and produced by Sandesh Nagaraj under Sandesh Production.[5] The film stars Shiva Rajkumar, Jayaram, Anupam Kher, Prashant Narayanan, Satya Prakash, and Archana Jois. It is the first installment of a cinematic universe where M. G Srinivas will be reprising his role as Mahesh Das from Birbal Trilogy Case 1: Finding Vajramuni.[6] In the film, an anonymous gangster called "Big Daddy" hijacks a prison to steal hidden gold bars recovered during a CBI raid, but ACP Chengappa arrives to stop Big Daddy from executing his plans.

Ghost was released theatrically on 19 October 2023 during Dasara weekend to positive reviews from critics and became a commercial success at the box office. It was considered the first crowdpuller star film of 2023.[7]

Plot

An anonymous person and his gang hijacks the central prison in Karnataka, where they hold prisoners, prison officials and ex-CBI officer Vamana Srinivasan hostage. ACP Chengappa is assigned to solve the hostage issue. A cat-and-mouse game ensues between the anonymous person and Chengappa, during which the person is revealed to be an infamous crime boss Dalavayi Muddanna alias "Big Daddy".

Chengappa learns that Dalavayi and his gang hijacked the prison in order to steal hidden gold bars. It is revealed that Vamana had discovered the gold bars during a CBI raid and had hidden it in the prison due to public attention of a controversial gold scam. Vamana and the prison officer Thomas decided to retrieve the gold by implementing privatisation of the prison in order to distract the public, but one of Vamana's officer named Prabhu learnt about their plan and decide to expose their secrets. Vamana found out about Prabhu and killed him, making it look like a suicide. He also killed Prabhu's disabled wife Geetha after she learnt about his plan.

Dalavayi and his team find the gold in the prison's newly constructed library. Vamana initiates his next plan to release dangerous prisoners in order to kill Dalavayi and his team. However, they are revealed to be Dalavayi's previous henchmen. Chengappa learns about Dalavayi and is later revealed that he and his officers had killed Dalavayi in a car accident previously. Chengappa suspects that the one who hijacked the prison as Dalavayi is an imposter. Chengappa confirms the same and reveals the information to the henchmen.

The henchmen attack the imposter Dalavayi, but he manages to defeat them. The imposter Dalavayi initiates his escape plan by sending his henchmen to travel with the prisoners in the bus, while he transfers the real gold through remote control mini boats and keep the fake gold in the bus. He eventually escapes through a secret route, while Chengappa is unable to identify Dalavayi's henchmen. A few months later, Home Minister Vijayalakshmi assigns a spy agency called "Pithamaha" headed by A. N. Rao to solve the case due to pressure from the government.

It is later revealed that the imposter posing as Dalavayi is actually Rao's son and Prabhu's elder brother Anand Rao. Anand and Rao learnt about Vamana's plan and his involvement in Prabhu and Geetha's deaths, where they decide to clear Prabhu's name and expose Vamana. Anand decided to pose as Dalavayi by wearing a prosthetic mask and hijacked the prison. Anand finally exposes Vamana and gets him arrested. While paying respects to Prabhu and Geetha, Anand gets a call from Dalavayi's son, who demands him to return the gold in exchange for rescuing his team members, who had helped him in the prison hijack. Anand and Rao set out to confront Dalavayi's son.

Cast

Music

The background music of the film was composed by Arjun Janya. The film's songs referred to as OGMs (Original Gangster Music) garnered immense praise for their innovative approach with particular attention given to the first OGM. This distinctive composition seamlessly integrated lines from various languages into one song, earning resounding applause from audiences. The first single titled "OGM" was released on 22 September 2023.

The Second OGM was released on 17 October 2023, while the third OGM was released on 1 November 2023.

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."OGM"MC Chetan, Rajesh, ChiranjeeviMC Chetan, Jithin Raaj, Aishwarya Rangarajan2:45
2."Second OGM"Nishan RaiNishan Rai2:13
3."Third OGM"Nishan RaiNishan Rai2:03

Release

The first look was released on 12 July 2022, coinciding with the actor's birthday, while a motion poster was released on 2 January 2023.[8][9] The trailer was released on 1 October 2023. The film was released on 19 October 2023, coinciding with Dusshera.[10]

Home media

The satellite and digital rights were acquired by Zee Kannada and ZEE5. On the platform, the film was premiered on 17 November 2023.[11]

Reception

Ghost received positive reviews from critics.[12]

Critical response

A. Sharadhaa of The New Indian Express gave 4/5 stars and wrote "Ghost offers thrilling moments, with Shivarajkumar's exceptional performance, along with the rest of the cast, elevating the viewing experience."[13] Prathibha Joy of OTTplay gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Ghost is quite the thrilling two-hour ride and could just be the Dasara winner Kannada cinema has been looking for."[14]

S. Sridevi of The Times of India gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Ghost is a one-of-its-kind heist thriller for the Kannada audience, packed with plenty of mass scenes catered and assembled particularly for Shivarajkumar’s fans."[15] Anjali Belgaumkar of The Indian Express gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Directed by MG Srinivas, the Shivarajkumar movie will keep you on the edge of your seat."[16] Anindita Mukherjee of India Today gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "‘Ghost’ is a great watch for all those who love punches, fights and tough dialogues."[17]

Vivek M. V of The Hindu wrote "Ghost is a film that deserves appreciation for its attempt; not so much for its result."[18] Subha. J. Rao of Film Companion wrote "Director MG Srinivas needed to invest better in the writing and focus on the ‘show, don’t tell’ philosophy."[19]

Box office

Ghost achieved notable success at the box office by grossing ₹30.28 crore against a budget of ₹15 crore within a span of four weeks.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Ghost (2023)". British Board of Film Classification.
  2. ↑ "Ghost 2023: Release date, trailer, plot, cast, budget, OTT partner and more". OTTPlay. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  3. ↑ nirmal. "'ജയിലര്‍' ശിവണ്ണയുടെ താരമൂല്യം ശരിക്കും ഉയര്‍ത്തിയോ? 'ഗോസ്റ്റ്' വിജയമോ? 17 ദിവസം കൊണ്ട് നേടിയത്". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  4. 1 2 "'BOXOFFICE COLLECTION'". FILMIBEAT.
  5. ↑ Anandraj, Shilpa (15 November 2022). "MG Srinivas on Kannada film 'Ghost': It has nothing to do with the paranormal". The Hindu.
  6. ↑ "Filmmaker MG Srinivas teases Birbal-Ghost universe; writes 'Finally I am taking on a new case'". OTTplay.
  7. ↑ https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kannada-cinema-in-2023-pan-india-mantra-falls-flat-in-a-mixed-bag-year/article67684754.ece/amp/
  8. ↑ "Ghost first look: Sudeep calls Shivarajkumar 'king of all masses' as he goes pan-India with his next film". The New Indian Express. 12 July 2022.
  9. ↑ "'Ghost' Motion Poster: Shivarajkumar plays a gangster for posterity". Ragalahari. January 2023.
  10. ↑ Ghost | Big Daddy | Dr.Shivarajkumar | Sandesh N | Srini, retrieved 2023-07-25
  11. ↑ "Shiva Rajkumar's Ghost OTT Release Date Confirmed". Deccan Chronicle.
  12. ↑ "Ghost OTT Release: When and where to watch Shiva Rajkumar's heist action thriller". www.google.com. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  13. ↑ "Ghost Movie Review: Shivarajkumar's electrifying performance holds the fort in Srini's multiverse". Cinema Express.
  14. ↑ "Ghost movie review: Shivarajkumar and MG Srinivas deliver on their promise of action heist thriller; it's fun, stylish and has substance too". OTTplay.
  15. ↑ "Ghost Review: Shivarajkumar's Ghost Is All Mass, Style And Substance". The Times of India.
  16. ↑ "Ghost movie review: Shivarajkumar excels in a gripping heist drama". The Indian Express. 19 October 2023.
  17. ↑ "Ghost' Movie Review: Shiva Rajkumar's film is all sass and mass". India Today.
  18. ↑ m. v, Vivek (19 October 2023). "'Ghost' movie review: Shivarajkumar shines in a potent yet complicated fanboy tribute". The Hindu.
  19. ↑ "Ghost Review: This Shiva Rajkumar Movie Just Isn't Spirited Enough". Film Companion. 19 October 2023.
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