Last updated: 8 May 2026


Royal Chariot
Kannada · Action, Adventure, Comedy
2h 23m · 22 Mar 2018
Music: Anup Bhandari, B. Ajaneesh Loknath | DOP: William David | Writer: Anup Bhandari
Ratings
Our Rating
2.5
Rajaratha is a Kannada romantic drama that revolves around the journey of Chami, a young man who embarks on a bus journey to fulfill his late father's dream. Along the way, he meets Nidhi, and their evolving relationship forms the emotional core of the story. The narrative explores themes of love, destiny, and self-discovery set against the backdrop of a road trip.
Rajaratha offers a fresh narrative style with a blend of romance and drama, anchored by a road trip that serves as both a literal and metaphorical journey. The screenplay is engaging, with a good balance of humor and emotional moments, although the pacing in the first half is somewhat slow as it sets up the characters and their backgrounds. The second half picks up momentum with more intense emotional beats and a satisfying resolution.
The film's music, composed by Anup Bhandari and B. Ajaneesh Loknath, stands out as a major highlight. The songs are melodious and well-integrated into the story, enhancing the mood without disrupting the flow. The background score complements the narrative effectively, adding depth to the emotional scenes and the scenic visuals.
Cinematography by William David captures the picturesque landscapes beautifully, adding a visual charm that elevates the road trip experience. Overall, Rajaratha is a heartfelt film with strong technical aspects, though it may appeal more to audiences who appreciate slow-burn romances and poetic storytelling.
Nirup Bhandari: Delivering a sincere and nuanced portrayal of Chami, Nirup brings charm and emotional depth to the character.
Avantika Shetty: Avantika impresses with a natural and expressive performance as Nidhi, complementing the lead well.
P. Ravi Shankar: Provides a strong supporting role with his characteristic intensity.
Arya: Offers a memorable cameo that adds to the film's appeal.
Sruthi Hariharan: Delivers a subtle and effective supporting performance.
Anup Bhandari: Also appears in a supporting role, contributing to the film's layered narrative.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Anup Bhandari's direction is confident and stylistic, successfully blending romance and drama with a road trip narrative. His writing is poetic and emotionally resonant, though at times the pacing could have been tighter to maintain engagement throughout.
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3.25 / 5 | |
| 3.50 / 5 |
Our Rating
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No centers data available.
No awards data available.
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 60% |
| Neutral | 25% |
| Negative | 15% |
Critics generally appreciated Rajaratha for its fresh narrative style, strong musical score, and scenic visuals. The performances of Nirup Bhandari and Avantika Shetty were praised for their authenticity. However, some critics pointed out the slow pacing in the first half and a somewhat predictable storyline as drawbacks.
Final Box-Office Result
Rajaratha released on 22 March 2018 (2018).
Rajaratha is declared a BELOW AVERAGE at the box office.
Rajaratha OTT release date not announced yet.
Rajaratha directed by Anup Bhandari. Produced by Sathish Sastry, Ajay Reddy, Vishu Dakappagari, Anju Vallabh.
Rajaratha stars Nirup Bhandari, Avantika Shetty.
Tollybo rates Rajaratha 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE.
Music for Rajaratha composed by Anup Bhandari, B. Ajaneesh Loknath.
Rajaratha — Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Runtime: 143 minutes, Language: Kannada.