
Cast: Satyadev, Daali Dhananjaya, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Amrutha Iyengar, Jennifer, Sunil, Satya, Sathyaraj, Suresh Chandra Menon, and othersDirector: Eashvar KarthicMusic: Ravi BasrurCinematography: Sathya PonmarEditing: Anil KrishProducers: S.N. Reddy, Bala Sundaram, Dinesh SundaramRelease Date: November 22, 2024



Satyadev and Daali Dhananjaya star in the film Zebra, directed by Eashvar Karthic of Penguin fame. Priya Bhavani Shankar and Amrutha Iyengar play the female leads. The movie is a white-collar crime drama that raised significant expectations, especially with Megastar Chiranjeevi himself participating in its promotions. Released on November 22, did Zebra live up to the hype? Did it finally deliver a much-needed hit for Satyadev? Let’s find out in this review.







The Plot



Surya (Satyadev), a middle-class man, works as a Relationship Manager at the Bank of Trust. He has a crush on his colleague Swathi (Priya Bhavani Shankar). One day, Swathi accidentally transfers ₹4 lakh to a wrong account. When she tries to recover the amount, the recipient claims to have spent it. To help Swathi, Surya steps in, but in the process, he unwittingly gets entangled in a ₹5 crore bank fraud. This chain of events leads him into a confrontation with Aadi&nbsp; (Dhananjaya), one of the state’s most dangerous individuals. How does Surya face Aadi ? What role does Aadi&nbsp; play in Surya’s life? How does the ₹5 crore fraud escalate, and does Surya manage to overcome these challenges? That forms the crux of the story.



The Performances



Satyadev shines once again in his role as Surya, proving his mettle as an actor. He seamlessly portrays a character that combines comedy, action, romance, and emotion. His performance elevates the film, but Dhananjaya also leaves a strong impression. As Aadi , Dhananjaya embodies power and menace, dominating the screen in several sequences. In some scenes, he even overshadows Satyadev. Priya Bhavani Shankar plays a significant role and performs convincingly, while Jennifer adds glamour to the narrative. Satya’s comedy timing is another highlight, though the supporting characters don’t leave a lasting impact as the story primarily focuses on the Surya vs. Aadi&nbsp; dynamic.







Direction



Director Eashvar Karthic skillfully handles the banking-related content, delivering a gripping narrative with a strong screenplay. His past experience as a bank employee adds authenticity to the storytelling. The film effectively exposes the fraudulent practices within the banking system, though certain aspects lack conviction. For instance, the protagonist earning ₹5 crores within four days feels implausible, and resolving a ₹100 crore problem with just an email stretches logic. However, for audiences willing to overlook such inconsistencies, Zebra offers an engaging experience. The intense battle between Satyadev and Dhananjaya, along with Satya’s comedy and impactful dialogues, serve as major highlights.



Technical Aspects



From a technical standpoint, Zebra impresses. Ravi Basrur’s background score is a significant asset, especially elevating the action sequences. However, the songs fail to leave a lasting impression. Sathya Ponmar’s cinematography captures the narrative’s essence beautifully, while the editing is adequate. The art department excels in recreating the bank setting, and the production values are top-notch.







Strengths



Engaging story and screenplayPerformances by Satyadev and DhananjayaRavi Basrur’s background music



Weaknesses



Illogical sequencesSongs that feel forced into the narrative



Telugu.yousay.tv Rating: 2.5/5


Zebra Movie Review: Satyadev and Dhananjaya Face Off in a Gripping Banking Thriller!


Cast: Alia Bhatt, Rahul Ravindran, Vedang Raina, Akanksha Ranjan Kapoor, Manoj Pahwa, Yuvraj Vijayan, Jasan Shah, Dheer Hira, Aditya Nanda, among others.



Director: Vasan Bala



Music: Achint Thakkar



Cinematography: Swapnil S. Sonawane



Editing: Prerna Saigal



Producers: Karan Johar, Alia Bhatt, Shaheen Bhatt, Apoorva Mehta



Release Date: October 11, 2024



Bollywood beauty Alia Bhatt, after gaining recognition in Telugu cinema with 'RRR' and participating in Hindi 'Devara' promotions, has captured the hearts of Telugu audiences. Now, she takes the lead in the latest action thriller 'Jigra', directed by Vasan Bala. Telugu actor Rahul Ravindran plays a significant role. Released on October 11, this film has made its way to theaters nationwide under the banner of Asian Suresh Entertainment, released by hero Rana Daggubati. Let’s find out how the film fares and if it has won over the Telugu audience.







Plot:



Satyabhama (Alia Bhatt) works as hotel management staff in a wealthy household. Having lost her parents at a young age, she raises her younger brother Ankur Anand (Vedang Raina) herself. Ankur, who has a solid business idea, travels to Hanshi Dao near Malaysia to meet with investors. At a party, he gets caught by the police for using drugs and, under the local laws, is sentenced to death. This pushes Satyabhama to exhaust all possible means to save her brother, but to no avail. Ultimately, she decides that breaking him out of jail is the only option left. Does Satyabhama succeed in her efforts? What roles do Muthu (Rahul Ravindran) and Bhatia (Manoj Pahwa) play in helping her? You'll have to watch the movie to find out.







Performances:



Alia Bhatt delivers a stunning performance as Satyabhama. Her acting in emotional scenes is captivating, and she is incredibly convincing as the sister fighting to save her brother, excelling even in action sequences. Vedang Raina, as her brother, also puts forth a commendable performance. Telugu actor Rahul Ravindran, as Muthu, has landed a pivotal role that significantly impacts the story. Other actors too have justified their roles within the scope of their characters.







Direction:



Director Vasan Bala has crafted this film in the jailbreak genre. Right from the beginning, he successfully establishes the strong bond between the siblings. The audience can truly feel the strong relationship between them. However, the plot tends to drag until Ankur's arrest, after which the pace of the story picks up. The struggles Ankur faces in jail and Satyabhama's efforts to free him are engaging. With her decisive action to break him out, the story takes a thrilling turn, which the director has skillfully depicted. The climax action episode stands out as a highlight of the film. However, the predictable storyline and lack of innovative twists can be seen as drawbacks.







Technically:



Technically, the cinematography is impressive, effectively presenting the prison environment, especially in the climax, which offers some visually stunning shots. The music is satisfactory, with the background score fitting well with the film's tone. Tighter editing could have benefitted the movie. The production values are high.







Plus Points:



- Alia Bhatt’s performance



- Sibling sentiment



- Action sequences



- Cinematography



Minus Points:



- Prolonged scenes



- Predictable narrative



Telugu.yousay.tv Rating: 2.5/5


Jigra Movie Review: Alia Bhatt’s Action-Packed Fight to Save Her Brother


Once, films that flopped in theaters had a grim fate with little hope for recovery. However, the advent of OTT platforms has significantly changed this dynamic. Movies that didn’t do well in theaters are now making a splash on OTT if they have good content, attracting high viewership and breaking records. Recently, the film 'Honeymoon Express' has been gaining special attention on OTT and is swiftly winning accolades from viewers. Let’s dive into the details.



Record Views...



The film 'Honeymoon Express,' featuring Chaitanya Rao and Hebah Patel, was released in theaters on June 21 this year and received mixed responses. Despite its unique concept, it didn’t attract much attention at the box office. Directed by Bala Rajashekaruni, the film made its way to Amazon for streaming on August 27. Coming to streaming without much anticipation, the film gradually won the approval of OTT audiences. Its views on Amazon have steadily increased, thanks to viewers recommending it to their friends. In this process, 'Honeymoon Express' has set a new record on OTT with 40 million minutes viewed, prompting Amazon to release a special poster celebrating this milestone.







Movie Highlights!



Director Bala Rajashekaruni crafted this film around contemporary themes of love, marriage, and divorce, engaging the audience, especially the youth, with its compelling storyline and narration. The entry of an elderly couple, their introduction of the 'Honeymoon Express' game to the protagonists, and the ensuing romantic scenes at the resort have captivated the youth. Kalyan Malik's music has been a significant strength to the film, with the background score also receiving praise. The chemistry between Chaitanya Rao and Hebah Patel also worked well, drawing in the youth who missed it in theaters. However, some scenes being overly romantic might pose a bit of discomfort for family audiences.







The Plot



Ishan (Chaitanya Rao) and Sonali (Hebah Patel) meet through a minor accident. This acquaintance blossoms into love and eventually leads to marriage. However, they have different ways of thinking; Sonali is fast-paced, while Ishan is more deliberate, leading to frequent conflicts between them. One day, they meet a senior couple who introduce them to the 'Honeymoon Express' game and send them to a resort. What is 'Honeymoon Express'? Does it resolve the conflicts between Ishan and Sonali? Do their romantic lives improve? That's the story to discover.






Honeymoon Express OTT: Telugu Romantic Film Making Waves on OTT, Breaking Records!


The festive spirit of Dussehra has taken over the Telugu states. Several films are set to greet Telugu audiences in celebration of the festival, promising to dazzle at the box office this week. In addition, various intriguing films and web series are slated for release on OTT platforms. Let's find out more in this special feature.



Theatrical Releases



Vettaiyan



Tamil superstar Rajinikanth stars in the latest film 'Vettaiyan'. Directed by T.J. Gnanavel, who captivated audiences with the social message movie 'Jai Bhim', this film is produced by Lyca Productions. Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Rana, Manju Warrier, Ritika Singh, and Dushara Vijayan play key roles. The music is provided by Anirudh. Following the blockbuster 'Jailer', this film starring Rajinikanth has generated high expectations among audiences. 'Vettaiyan' is set to release as a Dussehra gift on October 10.







Viswam



Starring popular actor Gopichand and directed by Srinu Vaitla, 'Viswam' is jointly produced by TG Vishwaprasad and Venu Donepudi, with Kavya Thapar as the heroine. Set to release on October 11th, the film hopes to secure a hit for Gopichand, who has been seeking a successful comeback for some time. The trailer and teaser of 'Viswam' have already garnered significant attention.







Maa Nanna Super Hero



Starring Sudheer Babu as the lead actor, directed by Abhilash Reddy Kankara, 'Maa Nanna Super Hero' features Arna as the heroine and Shayaji Shinde in a crucial role. Scheduled to release on October 11th as a Dussehra gift, promotional materials have already heightened audience expectations.







Janaka Aithe Ganaka



Young hero Suhas is releasing his latest film 'Janaka Aithe Ganaka' this week, continuing his streak of success with diverse stories. Directed by Sandeep Bandla and produced by Dil Raju Productions, the film stars Sankeerthana as the heroine and is set to hit theaters on October 12th.







Jigra



Starring Alia Bhatt and Vedang Raina, 'Jigra' is a Bollywood film directed by Vasan Bala, releasing on October 11th. Under the banner of Asian Suresh Entertainment, Rana Daggubati is bringing this action-packed family drama to Telugu audiences. The trailer has already set high expectations for this film.







Martin



Kannada actor Dhruva Sarja is set to appear before the audience this week with the film 'Martin', directed by A.P. Arjun with Vaibhavi Shandilya as the heroine. This Pan-India film is releasing on October 11th. Makers are confident that 'Martin' will impress action movie enthusiasts.







OTT Releases



Level Cross



The Malayalam movie 'Level Cross', starring Amala Paul, is coming to OTT two months after its theatrical release. Directed by Arfaz Ayub, with Asif Ali in the lead role, this psychological thriller will start streaming on Aha from October 11th. The plot revolves around Chaitali (Amala Paul), who gets injured in a train accident and is saved by railway gatekeeper Raghu (Asif Ali). Following her encounter with Raghu, unexpected events unfold in Chaitali's life, leading her to believe she is married. The story explores their relationship and the ensuing mysteries.







TitleCategoryLanguagePlatformRelease DateYoung SheldonMovieEnglishNetflixOct 08Monster High 2MovieEnglishNetflixOct 10Khel Khel MeinMovieHindiNetflixOct 09Starting 5SeriesEnglishNetflixOct 10Tomb Raider: Lara CroftAnimationEnglishNetflixOct 10Lonely PlanetMovieEnglishNetflixOct 10Outer Banks 4SeriesEnglishNetflixOct 10Up RisingSeriesEnglish/KoreanNetflixOct 11ChuckyMovieEnglishNetflixOct 15SurfiraMovieHindiHotstarOct 11WarieMovieTamilHotstarOct 11Pailan PillagaMovieTeluguETV WinOct 10Thatva&nbsp;MovieTeluguETV WinOct 10Guter GuMovieHindiJio CinemaOct 11Tea cupMovieEnglishJio CinemaOct 11Jai MahendranMovieMalayalamSonyLIVOct 11Raat Jawan HieMovieHindiSonyLIVOct 11


This Week’s OTT &amp;  Telugu Movie Releases (10th, 11th &amp; 12th Oct)


Directed by Harish Shankar and starring Ravi Teja, the film 'Mr Bachchan' was released on August 15 and initially met with massive criticism. Harish Shankar’s direction was heavily criticized, leading to a significant backlash at the box office for 'Mr Bachchan'. With hopes of captivating the OTT audience, the film was recently released on streaming platforms. However, even OTT viewers are wielding criticism, reigniting a wave of trolls on social media platforms.



Continued Mockery on OTT!



'Mr Bachchan', which had high hopes pinned on it by mass Maharaja Ravi Teja, faced a dismal performance at the box office. Directed by Harish Shankar with Bhagyashri Borse as the heroine, the movie has been a monumental flop. However, since September 12, the film has been available on Netflix and has been released in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada. Yet, it has not been well-received on OTT either, failing even to secure a spot in the Netflix top 10 trending list. Surprisingly, a film featuring star hero Ravi Teja has garnered minimal views, causing a stir among Netflix circles. Few who watched the movie on OTT are adding to the trolls online, deterring potential viewers.







Severe Trolling!



Some scenes from the movie 'Mr Bachchan' have left netizens astonished. Director Harish Shankar is being criticized for how certain scenes were executed. Particularly, a fight scene dialogue by an actor saying, “I regret being born a man... if only I were a woman,” has become a major target for trolls. Moreover, dance steps performed by Ravi Teja with Bhagyashri Borse in the songs are being likened to adult content, causing further controversy. The songs are also criticized for being irrelevant and forcibly fitted into the scenes. Even though the Hindi version 'Ride' was a hit, director Harish Shankar is facing backlash as 'Mr Bachchan' didn’t meet expectations. A netizen posted that they couldn’t watch the movie for even an hour and stopped watching after just half an hour.




https://twitter.com/nenuneneh/status/1834511822277234953





https://twitter.com/BalaRTCultFan/status/1834481953619542526





https://twitter.com/koppalapn/status/1834462816470007925





https://twitter.com/IamanMCA/status/1834453046287630562





https://twitter.com/Dynamic_boy_7/status/1834439289717096574





https://twitter.com/BunnyJashu3/status/1834299241700757520




Plot



Income Tax Officer Mr. Bachchan (Ravi Teja) is an honest man who faces wrath from his superiors for raiding a corrupt tobacco trader. This leads to his suspension. Following this, Mr. Bachchan returns to his hometown Kotipalli, where he falls in love with Jikki (Bhagyashri). As he prepares to get married, he is called back to his job. He is then assigned to conduct a raid at MP Muthyam Jaggiyya's (Jagapathi Babu) house, a figure feared even by officials. How does Bachchan conduct the raid? What challenges does he face there? What happens to Bachchan and Jikki's love affair? How do the elders agree to their marriage? Ultimately, what does Mr. Bachchan achieve? That is the rest of the story.






Ravi Teja's 'Mr. Bachchan' Flops on OTT: Trolls Continue to Mock the Film


As soon as the weekend arrives, cinema lovers are on alert, searching through various OTT platforms for new movie releases. This weekend promises a feast of entertainment with new films ready for streaming. Five Telugu films and one dubbed film invite you to enjoy them, along with a most-wanted series that has also made its way to streaming this week. What are these films? Where are they streaming? What are their plots? Let's find out in this special report.



IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack



Based on a real story that stood as one of the biggest hijackings in the world, 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' is a series directed by Anubhav Sinha. Featuring key roles by Vijay Varma, Aravind Swamy, Dia Mirza, Naseeruddin Shah, and others, this series has been streaming on Netflix since August 29. The plot revolves around the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 from Kathmandu to Delhi in 1999 by terrorists, who forced the pilot to land in Kandahar, Afghanistan. What was the fate of the 188 passengers and 15 crew members onboard? What did the central government do to bring them back safely? This is the story.







Buddy



Starring Allu Sirish in a lead role, the latest fantasy action movie 'Buddy,' directed by Sam Anton, was released in theaters on August 2 and began streaming on Netflix from August 30, just a month later. The plot follows Aditya Ram (Allu Sirish), a pilot who falls in love with an air traffic controller named Pallavi without even seeing her. One day, Pallavi is kidnapped by a medical mafia and her soul enters a teddy bear while she is in a coma. How does Aditya manage to retrieve her body from the clutches of the villains? This is the story.







Purushothamudu



The latest film starring young hero Raj Tarun, 'Purushothamudu,' directed by Ram Bheeman, is an action comedy drama with Hasini Sudhir as the heroine. Key roles are played by Prakash Raj, Ramya Krishna, and Murali Sharma. Released in theaters on July 26, the film appeared mediocre but has been streaming on Aha since August 29. The plot is about Ram (Raj Tarun), born a millionaire, who faces unexpected events when he takes on responsibilities as a CEO. Forced to live like an ordinary man for 100 days, he moves to Rayapulanka village. What twists does Ram's life take there? What daring acts does he perform for the villagers? This is the story.







Sarangadhariya



Raja Raveendra, known for his supporting roles in Tollywood, stars in the latest film 'Sarangadhariya.' Released in theaters on July 11, the film received positive reviews and is coming to entertain OTT audiences from August 31 on Aha. The plot revolves around Krishna Kumar, a college lecturer whose sons live carefree lives. His daughter Anupama's truth as a trans girl becomes known to everyone, causing turmoil in the family. What is Anupama's past? How does Krishna Kumar manage his children's lives? This is the story.







Honeymoon Express



A romantic comedy entertainer, 'Honeymoon Express,' starring Chaitanya Rao and Hebah Patel, directed by Bala Rajashekaruni, features key performances by Tanikella Bharani, Suhasini, Ali, and Ravi Varma. The film started streaming on Amazon Prime from August 27. The plot centers on Ishaan and Sonali, a newly married couple with differing personalities, leading to frequent conflicts. A senior couple introduces them to a game called 'Honeymoon Express.' What is this game? How did it bring Ishaan and Sonali closer? Who are the senior couple that suggested the game? This is the story.







Prabuthwa Junior Kalashala



Pranav Preetham and Shajnashree Venu starred as the leads in Prabuthwa Junior Kalashala,' which was released in theaters on June 21. Directed by Sreenath Pulakuram, this movie started streaming on Aha from August 26. The plot centers around Vasu, a first-year intermediate student, who falls in love with his classmate Kumari. After learning some unsettling truths about Kumari, Vasu quarrels with her and subsequently attempts suicide. Why did Vasu want to end his life? What did he find out about Kumari?







Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire



The blockbuster 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire' has been available in Telugu on OTT since this week, starting from August 29 on Jio Cinema. It's also available in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Bengali, and Marathi. The plot revolves around Godzilla and Kong joining forces to stop a titan that threatens to destroy Earth. How did humans establish a relationship with Godzilla and Kong? What is Kong searching for? Why is Godzilla trying to enhance its power? This is the story.






How was the movie?