Well-made formula thriller has great performances but offers nothing new
THE big budget Telugu language action thriller had a brief release in Indian cinemas before finding its way onto streaming site Netflix.
The story revolves around a fearless secret service agent, nicknamed Wild Dog, with a painful past. He leads a fearless team to capture a terrorist mastermind after a deadly bomb blast and will do whatever it takes to apprehend him, including operating outside the law. As the team pursues the terrorist and his known associates in unexpected places, it emerges they may have a traitor within their own ranks and their own lives may be in danger.
The well-made thriller is a formula driven story that
has been seen multiple times in movies and web serials, so there isn’t anything new to see. Even the twists will give most people a sense of de ja vu.
That predictability and seen-it-before story works against Wild Dog. There is also that cliché Islamophobia that has been seen so many times before.
On the positive side, the film has been shot well and moves along at a brisk pace without unnecessary distractions. The performances from the lead cast headed by legendary actor Nagarjuna Akkineni are good and help to keep audiences engaged. Rising star Saiyami Kher is particularly good in her role and continues her impressive recent run of strong performances. There are also some sharp dialogues and great set pieces which pack a real punch from start to finish in the film.
Fans of Telugu cinema and in particular Nagarjuna will like what is on offer with this film, but others will find it difficult to engage with this story. That is why this flashy-looking film should be seen with lowered expectations. Just don’t look for anything new in Wild Dog, whose bark is far louder than its bite.