Movie: Evaru
Rating: 3/5
Banner: PVP Cinema
Cast: Adivi Sesh, Regina Cassandra, Naveen Chandra, Murali Sharma, Pavithra Lokesh, Nihal and others
Dialogues: Abburi Ravi
Music: Sricharan Pakala
Cinematography: Vamsi Patchipulusu
Editor: Garry
Producers: Pearl V. Potluri, Param V. Potluri, Kavin Anne
Direction: Venkat Ramji
Release Date: August 15, 2019
Since the release of 'Kshanam', Adivi Sesh has created a brand name on his own for thrillers. His latest thriller 'Evaru' has generated intrigue and interest with the trailer.
Let’s find out its merits and demerits.
Story:
Sameera (Regina) is accused of murdering her lover, with whom she is having a relationship outside marriage as her husband is gay.
Sameera came to a Coonoor resort in Tamilnadu with her lover Ashok. Her friend bribes a police officer Vikram Vasudev (Adivi Sesh) to help Sameera to build a defense case before she appears in the court of law.
He asks her account, why did she murder her own lover and what really has happened.
Artistes’ Performances:
The film completely belongs to Regina. She is terrific in the role of Sameera. She has not only done bold scenes with ease but also pulled off the act of deceit with aplomb. Evaru is her show.
Adivi Sesh has also done quite well in a role that required him to showcase two variations. He has shown maturity in acting.
Naveen Chandra in an all-important role is good. Pavitra Lokesh and Murali Sharma have done in their usual manner.
Technical Excellence:
The film has rich visuals. Cinematography and production values are top class. Editing and background music are huge assets. The film has no songs. Dialogues are effective.
Highlights:
Twists and turns
Regina’s performance
Second Half
Drawback:
Initial portion
Unnecessary twists
Analysis
“Evaru” is the official remake of the Spanish drama “The Invisible Guest” which was recently remade in Bollywood as “Badla” starring Taapsee and Amitabh Bachchan.
In the original movie, the accused is male. In ‘Badla’ and in ‘Evaru’, gender turns female. In all the versions, the accused has come to the resort with a lover. But ‘Evaru’ differs from both these movies on many accounts.
The Telugu version is more of a localized form. A sentimental reason is given for married Regina’s love affair with Naveen Chandra. Also, the rape angle is included here to provide some desi “masala”.
“The Invisible Guest” is an awesome thriller with a shocking twist that you’d not see coming. It is also essentially, a revenge drama.
“Evaru” has also followed the same screenplay for the most part but it has missed some elements. The setup of the accused giving away all the information to the lawyer is believable in the original.
Here, the lawyer character is changed to the police officer and this simple change is not as convincing as the original.
The sequences that blindly followed the original are engaging here as well. Ineffective are those which are altered. The protagonist’s lover realizing the guilt is perfect in “The Invisible Guest”. Here, it isn’t.
Leaving comparisons aside, as a standalone film, this thriller has many merits to appreciate. It is gripping and engaging. It holds the interest till the end.
If you have not seen either the Spanish movie or its Bollywood version, this would definitely thrill you like anything and the final twist will shock you. The plot and the narration grounds on many merits. The problem arises when it is compared with the original.
If you are a fan of thrillers, “Evaru” will provide you enough rewards despite overt commercialization like the rape attempt scene and some sentimental scenes. Like the Nilgiri hairpin bends, this story has many twists and turns that hook you to the screen.
Bottom-line: Well Done!
(Venkat Arikatla can be reached at [email protected])
