Saindhav Movie Review
In Picture: Venkatesh
Emotional Engagement Emoji
“Saindhav” is a Telugu-language action thriller movie written and directed by Sailesh Kolanu, and produced by Venkat Boyanapalli under the banner of Niharika Entertainment. The film features Venkatesh Daggubati in the lead role, supported by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Arya, Andrea Jeremiah, Shraddha Srinath, Baby Sara, and Ruhani Sharma. Santosh Narayanan provides the music, Manikandan handles the cinematography, and Garry BH takes care of editing. The film garnered a positive response from its trailer, setting audience expectations at a certain point. Let’s see whether it meets those expectations or not.
Story:
In Chandraprastha (Fictional city), a port city, a group named the cartel handles the drugs and weapons culture, led by Vishwamitra. Saindhav, a crane worker in Chandraprastha port, lives a normal life with his daughter. One day, his daughter falls ill at school, and after rushing to the hospital, Saindhav discovers she is diagnosed with SMA. To cure the disease, he needs to acquire a vial of medicine worth 17 crores. The movie unfolds the story of how he manages to get the funds, his connection to the cartel group, and why everyone in the cartel fears Saindhav
Analysis:
In a fictional place called Chandraprasthanam, the movie kicks off by filling us in on the area and Saindhav Koneru. Some containers stuck in the port shipyard hold fake currency that could mess with the city’s economy, weapons fit for a whole army, and drugs potent enough to affect the entire population. Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s character, Vikas, is on a mission to recover them. Concurrently, Saindhav urgently needs a vial for his daughter, paving the way for their intertwined stories, as teased in the trailer. However, this reveal lacks punch, possibly needing a more engaging background score.
Saindhav Movie Poster
The director introduces many characters and topics but leaves them half-explored, maybe saved for a sequel. Vishwamitra, Manas (Arya), and Saindhav’s backstory remain hazy. The connection between Manu’s character and Saindhav, along with Arya’s character traits, needs more clarity, affecting their depth. The visual side of the movie is decent, balancing dialogues with impactful visuals.
The plot brings in a rare disease affecting many children, but the injection’s whopping 17 crore cost creates a gap for viewers. The director argues that such prices exist in the real world, adding a layer of disconnect. Some dialogues make sense, like Venkatesh’s character’s track record, but others miss the mark. While aiming for an action thriller, the movie falls short of creating memorable moments, despite influences from Vikram’s style.
Despite Venkatesh’s solid performance and intense action, character development struggles, especially with underdeveloped roles like Manas (Arya), Andrea’s character, and limited appearances for Shraddha Srinath and Ruhani Sharma. Technically, the movie holds up well with quality construction and a consistent color scheme, but songs feel out of place.
Shailesh Kolanu’s film, known for Hit and Hit 2, seems to prioritize action over a solid storyline, leaving room for improvement in storytelling and character depth.
Highs:
- The concept is strong, effectively blending emotions and action.
- Venkatesh’s performance is noteworthy.
- Scenes featuring Nawazuddin Siddiqui are standout moments.
- The visuals are impressive.
- Action sequences are well-executed.
Lows:
- The narrative tends to be a bit slow.
- The music is a significant letdown, diminishing the impact of otherwise good scenes.
Technical Aspects:
The cinematography by S. Manikandan is commendable, particularly during the fight scenes. The production values and design leave a strong impression. However, the music by Santosh Narayanan falls short, lacking impact even in crucial scenes. Some well-executed scenes would have benefitted from music matching their tone, which is a missed opportunity.
Sailesh Kolanu’s direction is decent, with a commendable movie concept. The integration of emotions and action is well-executed, but the narrative fails to leave a significant mark. The exploration of characters, despite a large cast, is lacking, though there may be potential for this in a sequel. The backstory of Saindhav remains a significant unanswered question. The fear of Saindhav among cartel members is attributed to his brutal killings, but is that the sole reason? The director could have delved into Saindhav’s past to provide more depth. With these aspects, Sailesh Kolanu’s impact may be limited.
Verdict:
On the whole, “Chandraprasthanam’s intriguing premise and visual elements set the stage for an action-packed narrative. However, the film falters with a big letdown in the music department. Despite technical strengths, the overall impact is hindered by weak character development, leaving room for improvement in storytelling and depth.”
Movie Title: Saindhav
Banner: Niharika Entertainment
Release Date: 13-01-2024
Censor Rating: “U/A”
Cast: Venkatesh Daggubati , Baby Sara Palekar, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Arya
Story – Director: Dr Sailesh Kolanu
Music: Santosh Narayan
Cinematography: S.Manikandan
Editor: Garry Bh
Producer: Venkat Boyanapalli
Runtime: 140 minutes
