Last Christmas marked the release of Kiccha Sudeep's film Max, directed by Vijay Karthikeyaa, which performed well at the box office. This year, on December 25, the team returns with Mark. In Max, the Kannada actor portrayed Circle Inspector Arjun Mahakshay, also known as Max, while in Mark, he takes on the role of SP Ajay Markandeya, also known as Mark. The film once again utilizes the popular theme of a modern cop thriller, leveraging Kiccha Sudeep's star power to create impactful moments.
SP Ajay Markandeya, also known as Mark, is a suspended police officer who becomes involved in a critical investigation encompassing several cases. One involves missing children, while others include corrupt politicians and a drug lord seeking vengeance.
The storyline follows a thrilling adventure for the suspended SP, navigating through criminal networks and political schemes, positioning Mark as both a law enforcer and a seeker of vengeance in a world rife with moral ambiguity. Despite his suspension, Mark remains active, driven by a mission to correct the injustices around him.
18 children have been kidnapped by a mysterious criminal gang and suddenly when one child after another ends up dead, there is panic and pressure to find the criminals. The case comes to Mark who is given 18 hours to find the children and prevent further killings, and the hunt begins. Cut to Adikeshava (Shine Tom Chacko), the Chief Minister's son, who is busy plotting to take over the CM seat and somehow his plan is leaked. In comes Bhadra (Naveen Chandra), a drug don, who is on the lookout for his brother. How does Mark get connected to Adikeshava and Bhadra and why does he take them on?
Right from the start, the film is filled with action and immediately indicates that it is another typical police procedural drama, but on a grander scale and designed to entertain the masses. Kiccha Sudeep plays Mark, a tough and resolute lead character, crafted for maximum effect.
The movie blends aspects of a police procedural with thrilling action sequences, putting Mark at odds with ruthless criminals and corrupt influential figures. The seasoned Kannada actor effortlessly embodies Mark, and with sleek cinematography, dynamic action choreography, and his trademark charisma, the film offers a full package of mass entertainment.
Max and Mark are both creations of Vijay Karthikeyaa, who wrote and directed them, leading to inevitable similarities. Both films revolve around police stories and include elements typical of commercial cinema. In both Max and Mark, Kiccha Sudeep stands out as a powerful, singular force, portraying a commanding, ethically motivated law enforcement character who significantly influences the storyline.
Considering his celebrity status in Sandalwood and his vast fan base, the narrative is clearly designed to highlight his screen presence, dialogue delivery, physicality, and confrontations. The police hero bends the rules for the benefit of the public, and with impactful dialogues and stylized action scenes, Sudeep's on-screen heroism is extensively celebrated. The main distinction between Max and Mark, however, is that the latter's story unfolds on a much larger scale (involving three interconnected cases and two adversaries) with greater stakes for the hero.
In Mark, Karthikeyaa appears more assured as a director, with a narrative style and execution that are notably more refined. The storyline is more cohesive, and his pacing of the film keeps the audience consistently engaged and curious about the upcoming events.
While he hasn't transformed the cop genre or tried to bring in fresh elements, leading to a more foreseeable plot, his portrayal of Mark is refined. He has adeptly showcased Sudeep's star quality to create unforgettable hero scenes that will please his admirers. However, the focus on wide appeal makes the film somewhat shallow and lacking in substance.
Kiccha Sudeep is perfectly suited for police roles due to his charisma, style, and authoritative screen presence. In 'Mark,' he attempts to portray a unique cop by incorporating specific mannerisms and adopting a new appearance, and he achieves this successfully. His way of delivering dialogues and his body language make 'Mark' stand out as a character that his fans will undoubtedly appreciate.
Shine Tom Chacko and Naveen Chandra deliver performances that suit their functional roles. Ultimately, Mark is a Kiccha Sudeep film, so it's best not to anticipate significant depth from the supporting characters. Yogi Babu provides some humor, which is evidently his purpose in the film. Other actors, such as Guru Somasundaram and Vikranth, mainly serve to advance the plot and have limited opportunities to shine.
Renowned music director Ajaneesh Lokesh has composed the soundtrack for this movie, significantly enhancing numerous heroic and action sequences. Shekhar Chandru's cinematography stands out, although SR Ganesh Baabu's editing could have been slightly sharper.
Mark is a festive delight for Kiccha Sudeep enthusiasts, presenting the Kannada actor in a full-fledged action-packed entertainer. Sudeep enhances the movie with his performance, and although the storyline lacks novelty, his charisma and vigor make it a worthwhile experience.