The sad state of Oriya films at present is the result of a confluence of factors including demand for loud movies with run of the mill story lines from the audience (mostly rural based) and lack of innovation from producers and directors in creating quality content. Oriya films produced today have failed to capture the rich regional milieu and are instead cheap copies of Bollywood films of the 1980s and 1990s. In these times of distress, Dhauli Express comes across as a refreshingly good entertainer with a healthy mix of both art and commerce. While it is not free from the melodramatic performances and loud background scores which have infested most Oriya films today, it does have moments of brilliance which make it unique and worth watching. The tussle between the father and the son, the helplessness of the three youths, the crushing of their dreams and finally the catharsis of the lead characters are well etched out. The last scene on the banks of the river is one of the most powerful scenes of the film and brings a great degree of finesse to the film. Moreover the heart warming songs composed by producer-director Chitta Ranjan Tripathi leave their impact even after you leave the theater. Dhali Express is clearly a cut above the rest of the Oriya films of its generation and kudos to film maker Chitta Ranjan Tripathi for his conviction in making this film.
Review of Dhauli Express
