777 Charlie Review: This dog film is an emotionally overwhelming experience

777 Charlie Review: This dog film is an emotionally overwhelming experience

Human-dog bondings have always been a fond theme of filmmakers from across the world. However, Indian cinema has rarely seen a full-fledged dog film on the lines of ‘Hachiko’. ‘777 Charlie’ is the answer for that. Directed by debutant Kiranraj, the film is about how a dog enters the life of a loner and gives him a new perspective towards it.

Rakshit Shetty plays the protagonist Dharma, who is stuck in a rut with his negative and lonely lifestyle and spends each day in the comfort of his loneliness. He is traumatised by his past where his family members got killed in a road accident and decides to lead a secluded life. The initial half hour of the film is dedicated to establish Dharma and his characteristics.

A pup named Charlie finds its way to his life. It brings out the kinder side of his and breathes new life to Dharma, who has been stuck in a rut with spending each day in the comfort of his loneliness. Though initially reluctant, Dharma gradually grows closer to Charlie and they soon become inseparable. Charlie is soon diagonised with a fatal form of cancer, which shatters Dharma to pieces. Soon after, they set out on a journey to the Himalayas. The rest of the film covers their adventurous journey, the hardships and an overwhelming climax.

To have pulled off a film of this scale with a dog as one of the leads is quite an achievement. The dogs are so expressive that their antics can leave in you splits at one moment and then break your heart in the next. Rakshit Shetty also deserves all the praise in the world for his performance in the film. It is one thing to perform alongside actors. But with dogs, you never know how they would react and when they would give the right take. So Rakshit had to match it everytime and the actor is incredibly good in the film. Raj B Shetty, Bobby Simha and a young school-going girl are some of the other notable performers.

‘777 Charlie’ is also enriched by its music by Nobin Paul. His heartwarming score and songs elevate the film to a whole new level. To sum up, the film is a wonderful experience not just for pet lovers. If you’re not a dog person, the film can move you to tears and yearn for owning one.