Movie: Satyabhama
Rating: 2/5
Banner: Aurum Arts
Cast: Kajal Aggarwal, Naveen Chandra, Prakash Raj, Ravi Varma, Harsha Vardhan, Neha Pathan, Sampada, Payal Radhakrishna, Prajwal Yadma, Ankit Koyya, and others
Music: Sricharan Pakala
Screenplay: Sashi Kiran Tikka
DOP: Vishnu Besi
Editor: Kodati Pavan Kalyan
Producers: Bobby Tikka, Srinivas Rao Takkalapelly
Written and Directed by: Suman Chikkala
Release Date: June 7, 2024
Kajal Aggarwal's new film, Satyabhama, is a heroine-centric thriller. She has aggressively promoted it.
As the film debuts in theaters today, let’s examine its strengths and weaknesses.
Story:
Satyabhama (Kajal Aggarwal), an IPS officer married to a writer (Naveen Chandra), is dedicated to women's safety in Hyderabad.
She feels guilty after failing to save Yaseen, a woman who had complained about her husband Yedu's harassment. Yedu is now on the run after killing Yaseen.
As Satyabhama, despite facing various obstacles, begins to pursue Yedu, she encounters new suspects, unexpected twists, and additional problems.
How will Satyabhama complete her mission without ever using a gun?
Artistes’ Performances:
Kajal delivers a convincing performance in her first role as a police officer. Her portrayal is less "action" and more contemporary in style. Though her characterisation is lacking in strength, her presence draws us in.
Naveen Chandra's role as her husband is a reversal of the traditional wife roles.
Prajwal's performance as Chotu is impressive. Ankit Koyya's role lacks strength. Prakash Raj has no significant role.
Neha Pathan as Yaseen and Sampada as Ankith's girlfriend are just fine.
Technical Excellence:
Sricharan Pakala has composed an appropriate background score for this thriller, which is neither exciting nor dull. Cinematography is adequate. The film's pace is slow.
The editing should have been sharper, especially since the film gives the impression of being longer than it is.
Highlights:
Kajal’s presence
Drawback:
Confusing twists
Unnecessary subplots
Narrative drags on
The final reveal
Analysis
The central theme of Satyabhama revolves around a police officer’s relentless pursuit of the fugitive responsible for his wife’s murder. Within the first 15 minutes of the movie, it becomes evident that she will embark on a mission to capture the escaped criminal.
However, to perplex viewers and maintain a sense of anticipation, screenwriter Sasi Kiran Tikka and new director Suman Chikkala have incorporated numerous superfluous subplots and characters.
Initially a straightforward narrative, it progressively becomes increasingly confusing and diverging. Additionally, it starts to resemble a foreign web series rather than a cohesive film.
Following the murder of a woman named Yaseen, the narrative shifts to focus on Yaseen's friend and her romantic partner, who manages a company specializing in internet-based games.
An extensive episode involving augmented reality games leads us to believe that this boyfriend must be the main villain. Subsequently, the focus shifts to Yaseen's brother, and from this point onward, the narrative takes on elements of a terrorist drama. Next, we witness Kajal actively combating the issue of young girls being trafficked.
As the film drags on, the subplots quickly become mere diversions rather than contributing to the main storyline. The primary issue is that once the true twist is unveiled, all the purported subplots appear utterly absurd.
There are numerous plot developments, but they fail to generate a sense of shock. The ultimate plot twist involving a central character appears both irrational and ineffective.
Satyabhama attempts to follow the trend of web series about cops. However, the writers seem to have overlooked the fundamental differences between a web series and a film. Consequently, logical issues and distractions consistently disrupt the narrative.
Overall, Satyabhama is a cop drama that is more confusing, lengthier, and less engaging, despite Kajal's efforts and a few intriguing sequences.
Bottom line: Confusing
