Movie: Kshanam
Rating: 3/5
Cast: Adivi Sesh, Adah Sharma, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Satyam Rajesh, Vennela Kishore, Satya Dev, Ravi Varma and others
Banner: PVP Cinema
Dialogues: Abburi Ravi
Music: Sricharan Pakala
Cinematography: Shaneil Deo
Editing: Arjun Shastri and Ravikanth Parepu
Story, Screenplay: Adivi Sesh
Producer: Param V Potluri, Kavin Anne
Screenplay and Direction: Ravikanth Parepu
Release Date: 26 February 2016
Tall and handsome Adivi Sesh has won name for his roles in Pawan Kalyan’s “Panjaa” and Rajamouli’s “Baahubali” and he has also directed a movie called “Kiss”. “Kshanam” is his latest story that he has penned and acted in and the trailer has been widely acclaimed.
So all were waiting for the movie to hit screens to know how good it is. It is here, and let’s find out about its merits and demerits.
Story:
Shwetha (Adah Sharma) calls up her ex-boyfriend Rishi (Adivi Shesh), who is working as an investment banker in USA. Rishi comes to India to find that Shwetha’s daughter has been kidnapped. Like all lawful citizens, Rishi approaches the police. But the police astonish him by showing indifference in this case. Bewildered Rishi starts cracking this kidnap case on his own to find out that it is more than a simple abduct case. He unravels shocking truths. Will he find Shwetha’s daughter and what issues he faces in this process?
Artistes’ Performances:
Adivi Sesh has not only improved his acting skills, compared to his earlier movies, but he has also looked believable in the role. His dialogue delivery is also good.
In the crucial role, Adah Sharma as Shwetha is okay but this role deserves a better actor. Anchor Anasuya Bharadwaj in her first full-length character on silver screen has given competent performance as lady cop.
Satyam Rajesh has got one of the best roles of his career and he has used it effectively by playing it with all sincerity.
Vennela Kishore in non-comic role is also good. Ravi Varma as drug addict is okay. Satya Dev as Adah Sharma's husband is good.
Technical Excellence:
Despite the fact that this movie is made with modest budget, the production and technical values are terrific. Visuals are rich (cinematography by Shaneil Deo), background score elevates the mood and screenplay by Adivi Sesh is gripping to the core. Technically it is brilliant.
Highlights:
- Interesting storyline
- Twists and turns
- Gripping narration
- Tense moments
Drawbacks:
- Hurried climax
- Logic misses in some sequences
Analysis:
Thrillers are not new to Telugu audiences but "Kshanam" is treated differently from regular style. The story of a missing girl along with the elements of psychological thriller and misleading scenes is told in gripping way to the end.
No songs are included, not much thrust on romance, only straight forward narration on the main theme. This kind of narration is quite rare in Tollywood.
The director has not taken much time to establish the story. In the very beginning he establishes the kidnap of girl, Adah Sharma's past romance with Adivi Sesh in back and forth way.
Who are the kidnappers? Or is Adah Sharma's story believable? These questions raise constantly till the end and the director has kept the suspense well by introducing various players like drug-addict Ravi Varma, a police officer, a car dealer with suspicious attitude, and two assassins.
Post interval, the movie slackens a bit but twists and turns keep coming and the narration goes on efficiently. Here in the second half, some scenes are not good but in the overall feel of the movie, this doesn't matter.
The story and screenplay written by Adivi Sesh is the main strength of the film and the twists and turns the story takes also are told in convincing way. Though some cinematic liberties are taken and some logic has gone missing, the film is engaging to the end.
The new director has also used background music so effectively to carry the mood. But the last 15 minutes of the movie should have been made in better way.
The director's talent is visible in picking up right cast members for all the roles. Satyam Rajesh as cop, Anasuya as ACP, Vennela Kishore as Muslim drugs peddler are so believable. Satyam Rajesh has played to the gallery with right mannerism. His acting is a surprise.
Overall, gripping screenplay, neat performances, good technical values and different presentation of this thriller makes a good watch. A commendable job by Adivi Sesh as writer and debutant Ravikanth Perupu as director.
Bottom-line: Chill-thrill Kshanam!
(Venkat can be reached [email protected] or Twitter)
