Crime thriller runs out of steam after a strong start

TELUGU superstar Nani plays an antagonist for the first time in this crime thriller, which was supposed to be released in March, but was postponed due to cinema closures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and finally premiered on Amazon Prime earlier this month.

The story revolves around a decorated police officer tasked with finding a vicious serial killer, who leaves clues behind. As his crime spree escalates, it seems as if there is more to the decidedly dark situation than it initially appears. While the police officer feels like he is fighting a losing battle, it seems the two men involved in a deadly stand-off may be connected and a devastating situation from their past may hold the key.

The seemingly slick thriller starts off strongly and sets up an intriguing premise, but unfortunately it is unable to maintain that early pace as it slips into melodrama and predictable cruise control. The director seems way out of his depth and is unable to make use of a solid storyline or a strong lead cast. The result is an average film that runs out of steam by the end and doesn’t really have anything new to offer. Even the mostly decent musical breaks aren’t enough to elevate this film to a higher level.

The main positives about this movie are the slick camerawork, some good action set pieces and a stand-out performances from Nani. Diehard fans of the superstar actor will love seeing him in a different role, but will know he is capable of something much better. This isn’t a bad film, it’s just not a really great one, and fans of Nani will definitely take most away from it. That is why this gritty crime drama is best appreciated if you don’t watch it with sky-expectations.