The much-anticipated festive release of Kannada superstar Kichcha Sudeep, the action-thriller 'Mark', has landed in theatres to a lukewarm response. Directed by Vijay Karthikeyaa, the film, which hit screens around Christmas, has been criticized for its unfocused narrative and poor execution, earning a modest rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars in our review. Released on December 25, 2025, the 144-minute film attempts to replicate the formula of the director's previous work but falls short of expectations.
A Familiar Plot with Unfulfilled Promise
Vijay Karthikeyaa's sophomore directorial venture follows a template strikingly similar to his debut, 'Max' (2024). The film presents Kichcha Sudeep as Ajay 'Mark'andeya, a maverick cop suspended for his unruly yet effective methods. His plan to idle away his suspension is disrupted when a complex case involving a drug nexus, mysterious child kidnappings, and a high-stakes political conspiracy pulls him back in. The political angle is driven by chief-minister-aspirant Adikeshava, played by Shine Tom Chacko, who turns Mangaluru upside down searching for a mobile phone. The plot thickens when Mark's mother is attacked, forcing him into a deadly 24-hour race against time with moles lurking among his colleagues.
On paper, the setup promises a gritty, complex thriller where the hero must use his wits as much as his brawn. The film introduces a web of deceit and an intricate cat-and-mouse chase, suggesting the potential for a gripping entertainer. However, this potential is never realized. The narrative is a hotch-potch of countless subplots and conceits that are introduced only to be abandoned. Just as the story seems to focus on one thread, an unnecessary twist derails it, preventing any real drama or tension from building over its long runtime.
Weak Writing and Underwhelming Characters
The film's core issue lies in its writing and character development. The dense material lacks logical reasoning, leaving many characters with little purpose or coherent motives. For instance, the entire subplot involving the kingpin Bhadra's younger brother, Rudra (Naveen Chandra), culminates in an absurd revelation that undermines the gravity of the preceding events. A majority of such narrative devices serve no ultimate purpose, causing the plot to run in circles, especially in the pre-climactic portions.
While Sudeep's character is stripped of unnecessary frills like a romantic angle, the writing also denies him the grand, whistle-worthy moments expected from a star vehicle of this scale. Despite a dedicated intro song, a special dance number with Nishvika Naidu, and a couple of action sequences, the film fails to leverage Sudeep's formidable screen presence effectively. The actor appears committed, but the material lets him down.
Technical Aspects and Overall Verdict
The wastage of talent extends to the supporting cast. Dependable actors like Naveen Chandra, Shine Tom Chacko, Gopalkrishna Deshpande, and Yogi Babu are given excruciatingly little to do. Actresses Roshni Prakash and Archana Kottige also suffer from the same underwritten fate. Technically, the film is inconsistent. B Ajaneesh Loknath's background score relies on generic, blaring electronica, while Shekar Chandru's cinematography shows flashes of interesting lighting and colour palette but cannot elevate the core material. For Kannada audiences, the poor lip-sync in certain parts and below-par VFX work are additional irritants.
Ultimately, 'Mark' is a film caught in an awkward middle ground—it is neither a realistic cop drama nor a stylish, larger-than-life action spectacle. This 'in-betweenness' dilutes its impact. It is a particularly disappointing watch for those who can spot the sliver of potential in its premise, only to see it completely squandered. The film needed a far more focused script and less lazy execution to be the right platform for Kichcha Sudeep's festive turn. Your viewing decision this weekend may well depend on how high you set your expectations.
