Mark Movie Review: I walked into Mark with mixed expectations. On one hand, the same team that gave us Max was back. On the other hand, the name itself — Mark, Max, Ajay Markandeya- felt like the film was daring us to compare the two. And honestly? That comparison is unavoidable.
But here’s the thing: Mark isn’t trying to replace Max. It’s trying to stand beside it, with a slightly different soul.
My Rating: 3.0/5
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Movie Name | Mark |
| Language | Kannada |
| Genre | Action, Crime, Thriller |
| Director | Vijay Karthikeya |
| Lead Actor | Kiccha Sudeep |
| Character Name | Ajay Markandeya (Mark) |
| Music Director | B. Ajaneesh Loknath |
| Runtime | Approx. 2 hours 25 minutes |
A Cop Who Never Clocks Out
Ajay Markandeya, aka Mark, is a suspended police officer, at least on paper. In reality, this man never stops being a cop. The system may have sidelined him, but his sense of duty hasn’t gone anywhere.
The story unfolds over roughly 18 hours, stretched across two intense nights, all within a single timeline. Children are being kidnapped in broad daylight, and one of those kids is deeply personal to Mark, the child of a woman who works at his house, a woman he considers family.
There’s a promise involved. A promise made to his mother. And once Mark makes a promise, that’s it. There’s no retreat, no compromise, no mercy. From that moment on, the film doesn’t rush, but it also doesn’t let go.
This Is Vintage Kiccha, and That’s a Compliment
If you’ve followed Kiccha Sudeep long enough, you’ll feel it immediately. This character has shades of Ranga from Ranga SSLC — that odd mix of unpredictability, quiet rage, and strange humor.
Mark doesn’t behave like a “mass hero” every second. Sometimes he’s calm to the point of being unsettling. Sometimes his body language does more talking than his dialogue. And that’s where Sudeep shines.
There’s also a dance number, yes, a full-on dance sequence, and I didn’t expect to enjoy it this much. After years of watching Sudeep adapt his moves to his current physique and still owning the screen felt oddly satisfying. It wasn’t about perfection. It was about presence.
When the Film Gets Serious, It Gets Really Serious
The first half sets the board. You understand who’s who, what’s at stake, and why Mark is involved. But once the interval hits, the film tightens its grip. Enter Rudra and Bhadra.
Naveen Chandra’s Bhadra is loud, aggressive, and deliberately over-the-top, and there’s a reason for that. This isn’t subtle villainy. This is chaos-driven power hunger. There’s also a political angle involving a Home Minister with CM ambitions, and Mark standing right in the way.
The second half carries more tension, more urgency, and honestly, more confidence.
Action, Camera, and That Background Score
Every action sequence here is cleanly staged and sharply shot. The camera doesn’t shake just for the sake of chaos. You can actually follow what’s happening, which is becoming rare these days.
There are festival backdrops, including a Kali Puja sequence, that instantly reminded me of Max. The similarity is obvious, but it doesn’t feel lazy. It feels like a thematic continuation.
And B. Ajaneesh Loknath’s background score? That man understood the assignment. The BGM doesn’t overpower scenes, but when it hits, it hits. Certain musical bits elevate the theatre experience in a way you can feel in your chest. Visually, even the VFX-heavy moments stay crisp. The production design gives the film weight, not gloss.
Performances That Hold the Film Together
Sudeep carries the film, no surprise there, but the supporting cast actually matters here.
- Naveen Chandra brings raw energy as Bhadra.
- Yogi Babu doesn’t have a massive role, but his humor lands where it needs to.
- Actors like Gopalakrishna Deshpande, Shine Tom Chacko, and others push the story forward instead of just filling screen time.
This doesn’t feel like a one-man show pretending to be a story.
Where Mark Stumbles a Bit
The writing does take convenient shortcuts. Logic bends. Sometimes it snaps. You’ll definitely have moments where you think, “Okay, how exactly is this possible?” In a full-blown commercial film, that might slide easily. Here, because the story is engaging, those logic gaps stand out a little more.
Also, the song placements, while fun in the theatre, interrupt the narrative flow. They entertain, but they slow things down when momentum matters. Still, none of this completely breaks the experience.
The Good & Bad
| What Works Well | What Could’ve Been Better |
|---|---|
| Kiccha Sudeep’s restrained yet powerful performance | Convenient writing and logic gaps |
| Strong second half with rising tension | Song placement affects pacing |
| Well-shot action sequences | Some moments feel overly loud |
| Ajaneesh Loknath’s impactful BGM | Familiar beats from Max may feel repetitive |
| Solid cinematography and production design | First half feels slower compared to the payoff |
Also Read: Tu Meri Main Tera Review… Whatever It’s Called — A Movie That Exists, But Barely
Final Thoughts: Is Mark Worth Watching?
Absolutely — especially in a theatre. Mark isn’t perfect. It doesn’t reinvent the genre. But it knows exactly what it wants to be: a gritty, mass-leaning thriller anchored by a strong character and confident filmmaking.
What I appreciated most is that the film doesn’t treat its hero like a god. Mark bleeds. He struggles. He gets cornered. And when he rises, it feels earned.
If you’re a Kiccha Sudeep fan, this is a no-brainer. If you enjoy dark cop thrillers with attitude, this one’s worth your time. And if you’re tired of second halves falling apart — Mark might surprise you. I’d easily place Mark among the better Kannada films of the year. Watch it. Experience it. And then decide where it stands for you.