‘Saindhav’ review: Festive disappointment

Beloved actor Venkatesh has joined forces with SaileshKolanu, renowned for the success of ‘HIT’ franchise, for the action-packed drama "Saindhav." Notably, this film marks Venkatesh's 75th venture, making it a special milestone in his illustrious career. The movie boasts an ensemble star cast, with versatile actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui making his debut in Telugu cinema. The collaboration has piqued the interest of fans and critics alike, eager to see how this dynamic pairing unfolds on screen. The film hits theatres and let’s see how it fares at box-office.

Story

Set in the fictional city of Chandraprastha, the film revolves around SaindhavKoneru, also known as SaiKo (played by Venkatesh). SaiKo is employed as a crane operator in the customs department, and his world centers around his daughter, Gayathri (portrayed by Baby Sara Palekar). Manogya(played by Shraddha Srinath), a cab driver, looks after Gayathri in SaiKo's absence.

The narrative takes a gripping turn when Gayathri collapses at school. Rushing her to the hospital, SaiKo learns from the doctors that she is afflicted with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The shocking revelation adds a layer of urgency as Gayathri requires a life-saving injection valued at a staggering 17 crores.

The suspense heightens as the audience is left wondering about SaiKo's next move. Will he manage to secure the expensive injection for his daughter, ensuring her survival? Moreover, the plot thickens with the introduction of Mitra (played by Mukesh Rishi), a key figure leading a notorious cartel involved in the underground dealings of drugs and weapons. The movie delves into the intricate connections between SaiKo and Mitra, unravelling a tale of suspense, sacrifice, and the lengths a father is willing to go to save his daughter.

Analysis

Following his comedic success in F3, Venkatesh has chosen to venture into the action genre for his milestone 75th film. His performance is noteworthy, showcasing both emotional depth and swagger. Venkatesh seamlessly transitions from an affectionate father to a relentless assassin, delivering poignant emotional moments with precision. However, the film faces a significant hurdle in its script. The storyline appears overly convenient, allowing the hero to be omnipresent without credible time transitions. While commercial cinema often sidesteps logic, the film could have benefitted from a more meticulous approach to address these loopholes.

Despite the ensemble cast including Arya, Andrea Jeremiah, and Shraddha Srinath, their talents are unfortunately underutilized, with their characters failing to leave a lasting impact. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, a stellar actor, makes the most of his limited role, leaving a memorable impression even with minimal lines. Baby Sara charms with her cuteness, but Ruhani Sharma and other characters fail to make a significant impact.

The script attempts to emulate the intensity of films like John Wick and various drug cartel-centric Hollywood productions, but it falters in establishing the necessary emotional connection. The film's ambition to showcase relentless action at every turn hampers its potential. Rather than creating distinct and impactful action sequences, the movie feels like a series of scenes designed to exhibit Venkatesh as an action hero, lacking a coherent connecting factor. The excessive focus on showcasing a myriad of action set-pieces detracts from the genuine emotional engagement the movie could have achieved with its audience. In essence, it becomes more of a showcase for Venkatesh's action prowess than a film with a compelling narrative and emotional resonance.

Overall, “Saindhav” falls short on the intensity and thrill required for a for a new age action film. While Venky delivers some emotional moments, the overall impact is disappointing

Performances

Venkatesh takes on the serious role of SaindhavKoneru, known as "SaiKO," portraying his character with a dignified maturity that resonates on-screen. His screen presence remains as charming as ever, and he effortlessly navigates through various emotional nuances, showcasing his mastery in the genre. However, Saindhav might not stand out prominently in his extensive filmography; performance-wise, it appears to be another proficient outing for the seasoned actor.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui injects initial excitement into the storyline, but as the film progresses and reaches its conclusion, a performer of his caliber tends to fade from memory.

Shraddha Srinath, in the female lead role, seems well-suited for her part, but unfortunately, the way her character is written fails to leave a positive impact on the film, despite her consistent presence.Tamil actor Arya, in a brief role, comes across as somewhat disjointed within the narrative.Among the female supporting cast, Andrea Jeremiah and Ruhani Sharma execute their roles competently, but the script doesn't offer much for them to celebrate, as their impact on the film remains minimal. Others in the supporting cast, including Isshu Sengupta, Mukesh Rishi, and Getup Srinu, deliver what is required by their roles, contributing to the overall ensemble.

Technicalities

The direction by SaileshKolanu falls short of expectations. While he effectively showcases Venkatesh, the same cannot be said for the rest of the cast. Despite a promising concept, the film fails to reach the desired highs and lacks a compelling narrative.

Santosh Narayan's music disappoints in terms of standalone audio quality, and this shortfall is not compensated for by the background score, a crucial element for an action thriller. While certain episodes feature acceptable BGM, the overall execution leaves much to be desired.

Cinematography by Manikandan stands out as a positive aspect; visually, the film is appealing and keeps pace with contemporary trends. However, Garry Bh's editing is a mixed bag, as the film lacks the crispness essential for a new-age action thriller.

Production quality by Niharika Entertainment is commendable, particularly evident in the action sequences, where there is no apparent compromise for cost-saving measures. Despite these positive elements, the film overall struggles to live up to its potential, with aspects like direction, music, and editing hindering its effectiveness as an engaging action thriller.

Advantages

Venkatesh screen presence

Action Episodes

Core plot

Drawbacks

Dull narration

Inconsistent Villain Setup

Songs and BGM

Review by: Suhas Sistu