Review: Saindhav.

Headline: Tiresome, a bit exhausting

Plot:

In Chandraprastha (a fictional town you won`t find on Google), Saindhav Koneru (Venkatesh) has moved on from a life filled with violence and illegitimate acts. After the demise of his wife, he has been a sweet dad to Gayathri (Baby Sara). When the kid is diagnosed with a genetic disorder, a shaken Saindhav resolves to finish a gangster named Vikas Malik (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) in return for a favour offered by Michael (Jisshu Sengupta). He has to outpace Vikas, who has now become madder in an attempt to save a large consignment that has been seized by the Coast Guard.

Performances:

Venkatesh is good but there is a degree of exhaustion on his face. His approach to the character should have been original and inventive. He is awesome in a few scenes, but the action scenes work only because of the stylization. Nawazuddin Siddiqui is able in his first Telugu film. Among the negative characters, his is the only one that counts. Jisshu Sengupta`s Michael is a pushover. Mukesh Rishi has an extended cameo. Arya doesn`t speak and doesn`t emote. Andrea Jeremiah`s presence in an action scene is very good. Ruhani Sharma, Ravi Varma and others are wasted.

Technical Departments:

1. Music (songs): Better than poor, lesser than average.

2. Background Score: Santhosh Narayanan doesn`t give goosebumps.

3. Production Design: Good but not detailed.

4. Cinematography, Editing: So-so!

Analysis:

Dr. Sailesh Kolanu`s `HIT` franchise has been temporarily put on hold for `Saindhav`, a standalone film that ends with a `Will be back` message at the end. This is not a strange film with hare-brained ideas, but it is exhausting, nevertheless. Don`t know if it is because of the monotony of watching films that celebrate violence. We have seen all levels of gore in films like `Vikram`, `Leo`, `Animal` and `Salaar`. In the coming months/years, films like `OG` will attempt stylized violence.

Saindhav`s linear storytelling makes it hackneyed. The writing is devoid of surprises. Some unintentional tributes to Kamal Haasan`s performance in `Vikram` are evident.

Merits:

1. Showing Venkatesh as an age-conscious actor.

2. No attempt to fool the audience by creating false distractions.

Demerits:

1. The influence of Kollywood music in the first song in the bar.

2. `Naa Kodaka` is a word that is used repeatedly by Venkatesh`s character. It frustrates because he has no memorable lines otherwise.

3. The bonding between Saindhav, Gayathri and Shraddha Srinath`s character looks flat.

4. The film believes that the audience are going to reward the most gruesome protagonist around.

5. "Saindhav ni touch cheste chaavu ni pilchinatte", says Venky in a scene. The very language is outdated.

6. No real vulnerability is evident in Venkatesh`s character.

7. Everything from modern weapons to grenades and sniper attacks has been deployed to raise the style quotient. But the dullness can`t be shaken off despite all of them.

Rating: 2.25