Movie: Jack – Konchem Krack
Rating: 2/5
Banner: SVCC
Cast: Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Vaishnavi Chaitanya, Prakash Raj, VK Naresh, Brahmaji, Raviprakash, Bindu Chandramouli, and others
Music: Achu Rajamani, Sam CS
DOP: Vijay K Chakravarthy
Editor: Navin Nooli
Production Designer: Kolla Avinash
Presents: B. Bapineedu
Producer: BVSN Prasad
Written and Directed by: Bommarillu Bhaskar
Release Date: April 10, 2025
After the blockbuster Tillu Square, expectations for Siddu Jonnalagadda’s upcoming films have skyrocketed. Taking his time to choose the right project, Siddu is now back with his latest release, Jack – Konchem Krack.
Let’s dive in and see what the film has to offer.
Story:
Pablo Neruda, known as Jack (played by Siddhu Jonnalagadda), is a skilled hacker and spy who attends an interview to become a RAW agent.
While awaiting the results, he stumbles upon information about a possible terrorist attack linked to a suspect in Hyderabad. Without any official orders, Jack takes it upon himself to stop the threat.
Meanwhile, RAW officer Manoj (Prakash Raj) and his team are already on a mission to apprehend the same suspect.
Mistaking Manoj for the terrorist, Jack captures both Manoj and the suspect, hiding them in a house. It’s only later that Jack realizes Manoj is actually a RAW officer. From there, the story takes a new turn.
Jack and the RAW team join forces to thwart the sinister plans of Atharva Rahman (Rahul Dev), leading them to Nepal.
Will Jack finally become a RAW agent? Why is Afsana (Vaishnavi Chaitanya) spying on him? And how does their love story unfold? These questions form the crux of the rest of the story.
Artistes’ Performances:
Siddhu Jonnalagadda brings his “Tillu Square” persona into the role of Jack but struggles to strike the right balance between humor and seriousness. His portrayal lacks the depth and intensity required for a spy thriller, making him feel somewhat miscast.
Vaishnavi Chaitanya looks charming and initially appears to have an intriguing role, but her character fades into the background as the story progresses.
Prakash Raj delivers his performance with trademark ease and authority, while VK Naresh plays Siddhu’s father in his usual, familiar style.
Technical Excellence:
Three music directors worked on this film, but none of the songs are catchy. Music is the weakest element of the film.
Cinematographer Vijay K. Chakravarthy sticks to his tried-and-tested visual style, offering nothing particularly new or striking.
Naveen Nooli’s editing lacks precision; the film could have benefited from trimming several unnecessary scenes, especially in the second half.
The writing is inconsistent and often meanders, which affects the overall engagement of the narrative.
Highlights:
Pre-interval mother episode
Drawback:
The basic script
Complete non-serious approach
Mismatch of visions of the actor and director
Boring narrative
Analysis
At the outset, Jack – Konchem Krack gives the impression of being tailored to suit Siddhu Jonnalagadda’s image. He’s introduced as a carefree, quirky guy, and his initial romantic track with Vaishnavi Chaitanya suggests the film is set in familiar territory, reminiscent of Siddhu’s earlier hits. But that illusion fades quickly.
Within 15 to 20 minutes, it becomes evident that there’s a glaring mismatch between director Bommarillu Bhaskar’s sensibilities and Siddhu’s brand of eccentric energy. Their attempt to blend two distinct styles ends up clashing, resulting in a film that lacks coherence and, worse, bores the audience.
Given the premise — a lone hero stepping up to save the country — it’s easy to imagine someone like Adivi Sesh elevating the material with finesse and intensity. Instead, Bhaskar steps out of his comfort zone, trying to mold the film around Siddhu’s fun-loving persona but fails to do justice to the spy thriller setup. Known for crafting emotionally rich romantic subplots and memorable music, Bhaskar falters on both fronts here.
The only moment where his directorial strength shines is during the pre-interval sequence, where Jack’s motivations and a mother sentiment are revealed. This emotional segment stands out in an otherwise dull narrative. However, once the action shifts to Nepal, the film nosedives into monotony. By the interval, the plot becomes predictable, and the screenplay fails to deliver any twists or engagement.
In trying to stick to Siddhu’s comic and irreverent image, the film undermines the seriousness of a RAW operation. The portrayal of RAW agents, including Prakash Raj and his team, veers into caricature, stripping the film of any tension or realism. The tone feels off, turning what should have been a taut espionage drama into a half-baked spoof.
The love track is another major letdown. There’s no real chemistry between the leads, and their scenes together feel awkward and forced. While the first half has a few entertaining moments, the second half — especially the Nepal segment — feels lifeless and uninspired, dragging on until the very end.
Siddhu, usually known for carrying films on his shoulders, feels miscast here. Instead of elevating the material, he ends up a mismatch for the genre. And with Bhaskar struggling to rediscover his directorial touch, Jack turns into a missed opportunity.
Overall, Jack is a bland, outdated spy thriller that neither thrills nor entertains. It’s a disappointing outing for both the director and the lead actor — a film that falters on nearly every front and might have worked better left on paper.
Bottom-line: Misfire
