Darling Krishna Rebels Against a Honest Cop Dad: Brat Review

This Brat review covers the 2025 Kannada action thriller from director Shashank, starring Darling Krishna as a son who refuses to live by his father's rules. It is a father-son clash wrapped in a cricket-betting backdrop, and it runs a long 155 minutes. Here is what works, what doesn't, and whether it deserves your evening.

Brat Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Brat plot starts with a simple conflict. Kristy (credited as Krishna on some listings) is a restless young man raised by Constable Mahadevaiah, a policeman whose honesty is absolute. Dad sees right and wrong in sharp lines, and his son sees a life too small for his ambitions.

To chase his own path, Kristy drifts toward a shadier world. Sources link the story to cricket betting, a fresh angle for Kannada cinema. The tagline, "BRATism", sums up the attitude: defiance as a personality.

The film is written by Yadunandan and Ravi Chakravarthy. Its central question is how far a son will go to escape a father's ideals, and what he owes him along the way. We will stay clear of where that road leads.

What Works in Brat

The first half is the film's strongest stretch. Critics have called the opening narrative gripping, and the father-son friction gives the action a personal anchor rather than just noise.

• A clear emotional hook: a cop who won't bend and a son who won't listen is instantly relatable.

• The betting backdrop: it adds tension and a different flavour to a familiar action template.

• Technical touches: reviewers single out the songs and fight sequences as polished.

Shashank keeps the early scenes moving and gives the genre beats room to breathe. For fans of Action movie reviews, the set pieces are a real draw.

Brat Cast and Performances

The Brat cast is led by Darling Krishna, who plays Kristy. Reviewers describe his performance as powerful, and he carries the swagger and the wounded pride the role needs.

Achyuth Kumar plays Mahadevaiah, the stern constable whose integrity drives the story. Their scenes together are the heart of the film.

The supporting players get notable praise too:

• Ramesh Indira as Inspector Ravikumar

• Dragon Manju as Dollar Mani

• Manisha Kandkur as Manisha

• Manasi Sudhir as Renuka

Indira and Manju in particular are highlighted by critics as standouts in a strong ensemble.

Where Brat Stumbles

The trouble comes later. India Today summed it up as a promising start with an outdated finish, and other critics point to inconsistent writing in the second half.

Editing is the most repeated complaint. At 155 minutes, the film feels loose, and scenes that should build pressure sometimes drag. The social message is clear, but critics found the execution lacklustre.

The reception reflects this. Wikipedia describes reviews as mixed-to-positive, and Letterboxd sits at 3.13 out of 5 from 384 ratings. You can read more background on the Brat Wikipedia page).

Is Brat Worth Watching?

Yes, if you enjoy mass-style Kannada action and can forgive a sagging second half. The father-son drama and a committed lead performance give it more heart than many films of its type.

It isn't a tight thriller, and you should expect some predictable turns and uneven pacing. But the good stretches are entertaining, and the action is well staged. If you want more in this vein, browse our Thriller movie reviews for similar picks.

The Indian censor rating is listed as UA16+ on District, and U/A 13+ on Apple TV, so check before watching with younger viewers.

Who Will Enjoy Brat

• Fans of Darling Krishna and Kannada commercial cinema.

• Viewers who like father-son conflict dramas mixed with action.

• Audiences who value a strong first half and don't mind a loose finish.