The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : An interesting premise

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Monday, Feb 11, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

An interesting premise

Film: Visakha Express

Cast: Rajiv Kanakala, Naresh

Director: Vara Mullapudi

Rajiv Kanakala is a doctor by profession, short-tempered and is befuddled by his alcoholic father (Kota). He meets a fellow passenger Naresh in ‘Visakha Express’ and over a few drinks they discuss their problems. Naresh offers to kill Rajiv’s father and free him from mental agony and in return seeks Rajiv’s help in eliminating his wife (Preeti Jhangiani).

An inebriated Rajiv forgets this incident and one day his father is accidentally killed and Rajiv escapes as the blame inevitably falls over him.

Kota was fine in a somewhat limited role as the father in the film. Allari Naresh is great as the grey lead as he basically had to carry the entire film on his shoulders and Rajiv is doubly impressive.

All the roles had an aspect of being one-dimensional but the above actors all brought a little something extra to their performances that really showed in the final result. The premise is very interesting and the first half, despite some jerks, sustains the suspense.

The director, instead of leaving the audience jittery, throws logic to the air and gives away a nice plot to a gruesome finale.

After ‘Na Alludu’, Vara had a very nice chance with this film but his inexperience dominates in handling the narrative, it should have been fast-paced and unnecessary duets take away seriousness from the audiences.

Sindu Tolani’s brief appearance is a waste. Yeleti Chandrasekhar who is adept at screenplay mars this story. Photography is okay, editing is bad. Based on ‘Strangers on a Train’, this thriller is okay for one time watch for those who love thrillers and are vexed with the routine.

Y. Sunitha Chowdhary

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