Dasara (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Dasara is a 2023 action thriller directed by Srikanth Odela, starring Nani as Dharani, Dheekshith Shetty and Samuthirakani. It runs 2 hours 39 minutes and earned $269,146 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 68/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 39m (159 min)
- Director
- Srikanth Odela
- Original language
-
Telugu
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Dasara About?
The premise of Dasara without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Set in the 1990s in the small village of Veerlapally, childhood friends Dharani, Vennela and Suri share deep bonds. Dharani is in love with Vennela, but she prefers Suri. Selflessly, Dharani steps aside, facilitating Vennela and Suri’s marriage. Their happiness is later threatened by local power struggles among village heads Rajanna, Shivanna and his son Chinna Nambi.
Dasara Themes & Keywords
· 4 tags- coal mine
- coal
- martial arts action
- survival adventure
Dasara Cast & Characters
Nani leads the cast as Dharani, with Dheekshith Shetty as Suri and Samuthirakani as Shivanna. Directed by Srikanth Odela; 11 actors are credited in all.
- Director Srikanth Odela
- Nani as Dharani
- Dheekshith Shetty as Suri
-
Samuthirakani as Shivanna - Sai Kumar as Rajanna
Also Starring in Dasara
· 7 more- Shine Tom Chacko Chinna Nambi
- Keerthy Suresh Vennala
- Jhansi Vennela's Mother
- Poorna Vadinamma
- Rajsekhar Aningi Inspector Nagaraju
- Surabhi Prabhavathi Suri's Mother
- Ravi Teja Nannimala Dharani's Friend
Dasara Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).
Dasara Echo Score Breakdown
Dasara delivers strong performances from Nani and Keerthy, supported by striking cinematography and well‑crafted village sets. However, the narrative suffers from a predictable script, uneven pacing, and a weaker second half that diminishes its overall momentum. The soundtrack receives mixed reactions, with some songs praised and the background score considered underwhelming. In balance, the film offers notable craft and charisma but is limited by its storytelling flaws, resulting in a moderately positive overall impression.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 75
In terms of art and craft, the film excels in visual design and cinematography, with reviewers highlighting its dark palette and impressive set pieces. Direction receives mixed feedback, praised for fresh tonal shifts but critiqued for inconsistent execution and a weak villain buildup. Production design and editing are noted as solid, though some cite occasional pacing issues. Overall, the technical presentation leans positively, reflecting competent craftsmanship.
- Character & Emotion 85
When it comes to character and emotion, the lead performances are consistently lauded, especially Nani's nuanced portrayal and Keerthy Suresh's compelling presence. Their chemistry is described as effective, and supporting actors receive commendation for natural delivery. A few reviewers mention forgettable moments for secondary roles, yet the dominant sentiment is that the acting elevates the film. Consequently, the character aspect scores highly.
- Story & Flow 55
Regarding story and flow, the plot is seen as straightforward and at times predictable, with the second half described as sluggish and routine. Some reviewers appreciate the surprising tonal shift and occasional twists, but many note a lack of cohesive pacing and weak narrative development, particularly around the antagonist. The mixed reactions place the story aspect in the middling range.
- Sensory Experience 68
In the sensory experience, visual style receives strong praise for its atmospheric cinematography and effective color palette. Soundtrack impressions are divided: a few songs are highlighted as memorable, while others and the background score are deemed underwhelming. Sound design is generally satisfactory, contributing to an overall sensory impression that is more positive than negative but not uniformly strong.
- Rewatch Factor 55
For rewatch factor, the film is described as a solid one‑time viewing, with many suggesting it holds appeal primarily for its action and performances. Critics point out that narrative inconsistencies and a less engaging climax reduce the desire for repeat viewings. While some viewers express enjoyment in theaters, the consensus indicates limited replay value, placing this aspect in the lower mid range.
Dasara Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Dasara from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 2009, Dharani, Nani, is a young ruffian who steals coal for a living and lives with his grandmother in Veerlapally, where the women of the village endure hardship under the heavy influence of alcohol. He spends most of his time with his best friends, Siddham “Suri” Suryam, Dheekshith Shetty, and Vennela, Keerthy Suresh. Dharani loves Vennela since childhood, but he soon learns that Suri and Vennela are in love as well, and he chooses to sacrifice his own happiness to unite them. Vennela’s mother Ramanamma, Jhansi, rejects their relationship because of Suri’s involvement in stealing coal.
Full summary
The whole story of Dasara, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Dasara Box Office
Dasara grossed $269,146 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$269.1K
- International
- $269.1K
How Well Do You Know Dasara?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
What is the occupation of the protagonist Dharani at the beginning of the film?
Seen Dasara?
Movies Like Dasara
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Kaduva, Dasavatharam and Devara Part 1.
Dasara FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Dasara, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Dasara?
Dasara runs 2 hours 39 minutes (159 minutes).
When was Dasara released?
Dasara was released on March 30, 2023.
Who directed Dasara?
Dasara was directed by Srikanth Odela.
Who is in the cast of Dasara?
Dasara stars Nani as Dharani, Dheekshith Shetty as Suri and Samuthirakani as Shivanna, among 11 credited actors.
How much did Dasara make at the box office?
Dasara grossed $269,146 worldwide.
Does Dasara have a post-credit scene?
No. Dasara has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Dasara in?
The original language of Dasara is Telugu.
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