777 Charlie is a film in Kannada. But has also been released in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam & Hindi.
The film runs for 2 hours and 16 minutes and is directed by Kiranraj.K. It stars Rakshit Shetty.
Very few halls in Kolkata are screening the film and there are few shows. Initially, there was not much noise about the film, except for some posts on the pet groups on Facebook. Gradually it picked up and last Sunday, we managed to book seats in the second row from the screen.
It’s the story of Charlie (a Labrador, who escapes the breeder) and Dharma (an angry young man wronged by destiny). The paths of the outcastes cross each other and that is where the story unfolds.
The film is about how Charlie impacts the life of Dharma, brings a change in him, and transforms his perspective on life.
It’s not just Dharma who changes. A friend of ours who does not like dogs came back from the show and decided to open their heart and house to a rescued pup.
We, who are ‘paw parents’, could relate very well. The story of rescuing a pup and giving her a new lease of life is almost like ours. Every frame felt like it was lifted from ours. There was not a scene where we did not wipe our eyes.
The chemistry between Dharma and Charlie was adorable and highly emotional. While the first half of the movie was high on comedy the second part played with our emotions. Charlie and Dharma made us laugh. We shrieked in excitement. The audience hooted for Charlie when he runs a race. But for most of the movie, we wiped away our eyes surreptitiously.
777 Charlie depicts a lot in two hours. The struggles of a dog. The unethical practices of a breeder. The apathy towards strays and abandoned dogs. Besides, it’s highly informative and serves to break the bias that people harbour about strays.
Charlie is a delight to watch, making me wonder how easy or difficult it was to direct a dog? Rakshit Shetty who played Dharma is a fantastic actor.
After ‘Hachi: A Dog’s Tale’, 777 Charlie is the only movie that can live up to the legacy left behind. And mind you, it’s not a children’s movie. The adults will also love it. Also, both pet parents and non-pet parents should watch it.
On the downside, it’s a bit dramatic sometimes. Too long as well. Certain scenes especially the dog show, were unnecessary. Why do we forget that these furry babies are just like our children and should be kept away from unnecessary competition? Enjoy them, their unconditional love, and their company as the way it is. Do not subject them to pointless training. It is not a bid to see whose dog is the best.
The biggest question that arises in the movie is what if the dog wasn’t a Labrador? An Indie? It would have been a pathbreaker. Showcasing a Labrador who has been wonderfully trained has only served to escalate the demand for them. Statistics show that the demand for Labradors has jumped. People want to adopt a female as well. Well, you know why! To breed and then sell them for a greater profit!
The film just like the Vodafone ad that had propelled the pug into fame, does the same to the Labradors. In a way, the message of ‘don’t adopt and shop’ or the message of staying away from breeders falls flat. In India where backyard breeding is rampant, where unethical breeders are everywhere, where exorbitant rates are charged for breeding dogs and where people abandon dogs once they realise that maintaining a pet is not easy, the film fails to deliver its intended message.
In a nutshell, the film is a must-watch for all. But remind yourself to take the pledge of supporting ethical breeding, adopting dogs, being kinder towards dogs on the street, and most importantly, giving a dog a home, irrespective of their coat, colour, and ‘caste’.
By Sreemati Sen
Sreemati Sen holds a Masters in Social Work from Shantiniketan. A Development Professional,
she has specialized in Psychiatric Care of Differently-abled children. Years of experience in
Social and Consumer Research are also a part of her portfolio. Her stories have been featured in
various anthologies.
She can be contacted at Sreemati123p@gmail.com.
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