777 Charlie Movie Review : An endearing tale of the human-animal bond

REVIEW: 777 Charlie, written and directed by Kiranraj K, is a moving story that centres on the human-dog relationship.

With 166 minutes of run time, the film tells the story of a man who is stuck in a rut with his negative and lonely existence and spends each day in the comfort of his loneliness by following a routine life from home-factory-home, fights, eating Idlis, smoking and drinking beer. His life is turned upside down when he meets a stray female dog (whom he later named Charlie) who has a contrasting persona as she is naughty and energetic and changes his perspective on life forever. Their friendship and affection for one another is adorable, as is their transformation from loner to everything to one another. However, a couple of scenes involving both of them appear to be overstretched and frequently come across as repetitive.

This drama includes a powerful and relevant message about pet adoption, which can save the lives of these abandoned animals who deserve to be rescued. By referring to the protagonist's life and his anxiety issues as a result of the tragedy of losing his family members in an accident, the film also emphasises the importance of contact with animals that may aid with depression and anxiety, particularly in stress-prone conditions.

'777 Charlie' also excels in terms of performances, with Rakshit Shetty (also a co-producer) in top form. His bonding with the female dog, especially in comic scenes, has those ‘oh-so-cute’ moments. The labrador is wonderful, and her eyes have the ability to melt your heart. Sangeetha Sringeri, an Animal Welfare Officer, contributes to the story's progression.

The cinematography, sound and production design of the film are simply great. The first half is fast-paced and filled with some LOL (laugh-out-loud) moments, while the latter half slows down and becomes an emotional tale. Perhaps the story could have been cut down to make the experience more impactful. Interestingly, the screenplay has many Charlie Chaplin movies, especially 'A Dog's Life' playing in the background, which inspired the dog's name.

‘777 Charlie’ is a treat for fans of both Rakshit Shetty and films that convey essential messages, such as pet adoption in this case. There is a lot of heart and soul in the movie, with moments that will leave you with teary eyes at the end.