Pointless remake doesn’t match up to gripping original

Starring: Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra Director: Sailesh Kolanu

THIS recently released Bollywood whodunit could quite easily be a ‘why done it’ because it is an exact Hindi remake of a Telugu movie that released just two years ago.

Everything from the plot to the title and names of the lead protagonists are the same. The story revolves around a police officer with a troubled past who is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after a horrific incident and advised to quit his job working at a special homicide squad. When someone close to him goes missing, he is drawn into a mystery that slowly starts to unravel a larger conspiracy and becomes a race against time. What follows is an investigation with unexpected turns and mental battle for a police officer already on the edge.

Although, this version is almost like a frameto-frame remake, the Bollywood version of the acclaimed Telugu movie doesn’t have the same level of tension.

Those who are unaware of the original will appreciate the various twists that pop up and the interesting ending, but somehow this version just isn’t as gripping. While it goes along at a fairly brisk pace and boasts a great performance from lead star Rajkummar Rao something just seems to be missing. Despite this, there is enough to keep you interested until an ending, which suggests there will be a sequel.

Talented actress Sanya Malhotra is largely wasted and deserved more screentime. The supporting cast also struggle to match up to the leads. There is enough there for fans of thrillers, from the murder mystery element and missing woman to the unexpected turns.

There is also a solid setting and good camerawork. Overall, this is a remake that wasn’t needed, especially when you consider the sequel to the original Telugu version is due for release this month on July 29.