- Chetan Nadiger
Film: Scam 1770
Producer: Devaraj
Director: Vikas Pushpagiri
Starring: Ranjan, Nischitha Vaidya, Harini, Raghu Shimoga, B Suresha, Natana Prashanth, Narayanaswamy, Srinivasa Prabhu and others
Every year, thousands of students nationwide take competitive exams like NEET after completing their second year of Pre-University. The goal is to be admitted to higher professional education. The plot of this week’s release ‘Scam 1770’ is the systematic swindling of worthy NEET applicants.
‘Scam 1770’ starts with a female student giving up her medical seat during a mop-up round. The girl gives up her seat and jumps in front of a moving train and ends her life. The core of the story is what led her to take the drastic action.
The film revolves around T (Ranjan), who is getting ready for the NEET. T who gets 15 thousand odd rank misses his seat due to various reasons. His friend Amrutha alias Ammu also surrenders her seat due to various reasons. T finds out that there is string of scams behind all this. What type of con is this and who is behind all this forms the crux of the film.
Producer Devaraj who is known for his socially relevant films like ‘Act 1978’ and ’19.20.21’ is back with ‘Scam 1778’. This time the film revolves around the education system and how education system plays with the students’ life. The film addresses how worthy students are conned in the name of education and how educational institutions have evolved into profit making institutions.
‘Scam 1770’ is a film that has to be watched by every student and their parents. The film is a great lesson to every parent who go to any length to make their child get a medical seat. Not only the parents and the students, the film is an eyeopener about the way the education system in the country is changing in the recent years.
However, the film has its share of its negatives. The film is supposed to be a crime thriller, but the film lacks the necessary elements to make it a thrilling watch. The first half of the film is quite engaging. The second half is not only slow, but there are many unanswered questions. Though the director maintains suspense from the beginning, the mastermind behind the scam can be easily guessed and that’s what makes the film a big letdown.
Ranjan who shot to fame with ‘Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shaale’ has got a full-fledged role in Scam 1770. He tries his best to save the film, make such an impact. The film boasts of an ensemble including Harini, Raghu Shimoga, Sandeep, Ramesh Pandith, B Suresha, Natana Prashanth, Srinivasa Prabhu and others. Everybody has done their bit with ease. Avinash comes in the last scene and has nothing much to do.
Finally, what is ‘Scam 1770’. The number 1770 has no particular meaning in the story. The title and has nothing to do with the film.
