Reviews
How was the movie?
Cast
Satyadev Kancharana
as Lawyer Ramachandra RamPriyanka Jawalkar
as AnuBrahmaji
as Sudhakar SudhaAnkith Koyyaas Vasu
Ajay
as C.I. Bhupati RajuRavi Babu
as public prosecutor Varaha MurthyChaitanya Raoas Aravind
Harsha Chemudu
as Harsha ChemmuduMaya Nellurias Reena Joseph
Praveen
Jhansi Laxmi
as Vasu’s motherJayasri Rachakonda
Sandhya Janak
Sundeep Singhas Vali Bhaskar
Crew
Sharan KoppisettyDirector
Mahesh S. KoneruProducer
Yarabolu SrujanProducer
Sricharan Pakala
MusicianM. G. Srinivas
StoryAppu Prabhakar
CinematographerEditorial List
Articles
Satyadev: 'Don’t Let Zebra Be Like That,' Satyadev Appeals to Telugu Audiences
Actor Satyadev’s latest movie, Zebra, has been making waves in the film industry. Featuring Kannada actor Dhananjay in a key role, the movie, directed by Eashvar Karthik, also stars Priya Bhavani Shankar and Jennifer Piccinato. The film received positive reviews and started gaining traction after its first day, thanks to word-of-mouth publicity. Recently, the team organized a success meet. Amid this, Satyadev penned an open letter to the audience, sharing his thoughts and reflecting on the struggles of his earlier movies.
What Did Satyadev Say?
Satyadev expressed his happiness over the audience's response to Zebra in a heartfelt note shared on social media. He wrote: "This success is yours. You’ve said the movie is good, and I couldn’t ask for more. I’ve been waiting for five years for such a hit. I’ve longed to make a movie that you love and to hear you say, 'You’ve delivered a hit.' When I succeed, you celebrate, and that fills my heart with joy. You missed watching Bluff Master in theaters but later showered it with love on OTT and YouTube. I hope the same doesn’t happen with Zebra. Please watch this film in theaters—it’s a movie you’ll definitely enjoy."
https://twitter.com/ActorSatyaDev/status/1861276550337073501
Struggles With Every Film
Satyadev is one of those talented actors who has struggled to gain the recognition he deserves. Despite delivering strong performances, he has often faced challenges in reaching audiences. He hoped that Zebra would turn his fortunes around, especially with the positive reviews. However, the film’s box office numbers have not matched expectations, leaving him concerned. This situation isn’t new for Satyadev. His career began with similar hurdles. His debut film, Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya, was released directly on OTT due to the pandemic. His next, Thimmarusu, faced the impact of the second COVID wave, with theaters operating at 50% capacity. Bluff Master didn’t find success in theaters but was appreciated later on OTT platforms. Even Krishnamma was delayed for two years before its theatrical release earlier this year, only to hit OTT within a week. Despite his role as an antagonist in Godfather alongside Chiranjeevi, Satyadev didn’t gain the expected opportunities. With Zebra, he hopes to break this cycle and has earnestly appealed to audiences to support the film in theaters.
Is Zebra Worth Watching?
Director Eashvar Karthik weaves a story about financial crimes in the banking sector, intertwined with the world of gangsters. Satyadev shines as Surya, a bank relationship manager, delivering a compelling performance. The story revolves around Surya’s struggles as he becomes entangled in a 5-crore bank fraud, with a gangster villain hunting him down. While the storyline holds intrigue, certain elements, like the villain’s obsession with a relatively small amount (for a crime lord), feel unrealistic. The lack of gripping moments in some parts is a downside. However, the film’s freshness and appeal to fans of thrilling dramas make it a worthwhile watch.
What’s the Story?
Surya (Satyadev), a middle-class bank relationship manager, works at the Bank of Trust. He secretly admires his coworker Swathi (Priya Bhavani Shankar). One day, Swathi mistakenly transfers ₹4 lakhs to a fraudulent account. When the recipient refuses to return the money, Surya steps in to help her. This incident escalates unexpectedly, pulling Surya into a larger scam involving ₹5 crores. He eventually crosses paths with Adi (Dhananjay), a notorious and dangerous gangster. How does Surya deal with Adi? How did Adi enter Surya’s life? What consequences does the ₹5-crore fraud bring? Does Surya overcome these challenges? These questions drive the gripping narrative of Zebra.
November 28 , 2024
HBD Priyanka Jawalkar: Turns 31, Glimpse into the Life of Tollywood's Rising Star and Social Media Sensation!
Priyanka Jawalkar, one of Tollywood's young heroines, caught everyone's attention with her beauty in her second film, 'Taxiwaala,' which was a solid hit. She has worked with stars like Satyadev and Kiran Abbavaram, though not all projects turned out successful. Recently, she made a special appearance in the film 'Tillu Square' that drew considerable attention. Today (November 12) marks Priyanka Jawalkar's birthday as she steps into her 31st year. On this occasion, let's delve into some interesting aspects of her life.
Contrary to what some might think looking at her, Priyanka is a pure Telugu girl.
She was born in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, on November 12, 1992, and studied fashion technology in Hyderabad.
Afterward, she went to America to pursue an 8-month course in Statistics and then worked for six months in a multinational company.
During this period, she started uploading her photos on social media, which caught the attention of the team from 'Kala Varam Aaye,' offering her a role as a heroine.
Though that movie did not succeed, her beauty and acting skills won over the Telugu audience.
This led to her opportunity in 'Taxiwaala' alongside Vijay Deverakonda, which became a solid hit and made her a well-known figure.
After the success of 'Taxiwaala,' it seemed she had a bright future, but surprisingly, it took three years for her next film to be released.
In an interview, Priyanka Jawalkar revealed she waited for the right stories, rejecting 25 stories in the process.
She then acted in 'Thimmarusu' with Satyadev and 'S.R. Kalyanamandapam' with Kiran Abbavaram, both of which also received positive responses.
Her performance was particularly appreciated in 'Thimmarusu,' where her appearance led to some harsh trolling regarding her body shape.
However, Priyanka clarified in an interview that she doesn't pay attention to trolls or gossips but shares them with her friends and enjoys the humor in them.
She also starred in the anthology film 'Gamanam,' where she played a captivating role as a Muslim girl named Zara.
This year, she made a special cameo appearance in 'Tillu Square' starring Siddhu Jonnalagadda, making a striking impression in a pub scene.
Priyanka mentioned in an interview that she has a crush on iconic star Allu Arjun and was particularly drawn to his film 'Pushpa.'
Aishwarya Rai is her favorite actress, and Priyanka is fluent in Telugu, Hindi, and English.
Her favorite colors are red and black, and she particularly enjoys New Year celebrations.
Regarding movies, Priyanka watches films in any language and mentioned her fondness for the Malayalam film 'The Great Indian Kitchen.'
Currently, with no projects in hand, Priyanka is focusing on social media, sharing hot photos to attract the attention of directors and producers.
Currently, Priyanka's Instagram account is followed by 2.1 million people, and any photo she shares quickly trends.
November 13 , 2024
Devaki Nandana Vasudeva Movie Review: Ashok Galla Shines in a Mythology-Inspired Tale That Misses the Mark!
Cast: Ashok Galla, Manasa Varanasi, Devadatta Nage, and othersDirector: Arjun JandyalaStory: Prasanth VarmaDialogues: Burra Sai MadhavCinematography: Prasad Murella, RasoolEditing: ThimmarajuRelease Date: November 22, 2024
Ashok Galla, the son of prominent businessman Galla Jayadev and nephew of Mahesh Babu, stars in his latest film, Devaki Nandana Vasudeva. Prasanth Varma, known for Hanuman, penned the story, while Arjun Jandyala directed the movie. The team promised a blend of spirituality, commercial appeal, and thrilling elements. Released on November 22, did the movie captivate the audience? Did Prasanth Varma's trademark shine through? Let’s delve into the details.
The Plot
Kamsaraju (Devadatta Nage) is a tyrant. During a visit to Kashi, he encounters an Aghora who predicts that his death will come at the hands of his sister’s third child. Terrified, Kamsaraju attacks his pregnant sister (Devayani), leading to the death of her husband. He is sentenced to 21 years in prison. Meanwhile, his sister gives birth to a girl, Sathya (Manasa Varanasi). As she grows up, Krishna (Ashok Galla) falls in love with her. Upon Kamsaraju’s release from jail, what happens to Sathya? What secret has Kamsaraju’s sister been hiding from him? How does Krishna protect his love? The answers lie in the movie.
The Performances
Ashok Galla clearly worked hard for his role as Krishna, and his efforts are evident on screen. Compared to his previous film, Ashok has improved in both acting and body language. His performance in key emotional scenes is commendable. Manasa Varanasi impresses as the heroine, and her chemistry with Ashok works well. However, she falters in conveying deeper emotions in certain scenes. Devadatta Nage delivers a solid performance as the antagonist, while Devayani does justice to her role as Kamsaraju’s sister. Jhansi shines as the hero’s mother, while supporting actors like Sanjay Swaroop, Shatru, Sridhar Reddy, and Getup Srinu play their parts adequately.
The Direction
Despite a premise with potential, Prasanth Varma’s story lacks depth. While mythology is woven into the narrative, it feels disjointed and fails to sync with the storyline. Director Arjun Jandyala missed the opportunity to create magic in the screenplay, which falls flat and lacks intrigue. Certain scenes promote superstitions rather than adding value to the narrative. The love track between the lead pair feels underwhelming, and the action sequences between Krishna and Kamsaraju fail to make an impact. Some scenes intended to elevate Krishna’s character come across as overly dramatic. Overall, the direction leaves the audience bored at several points.
Technical Aspects
On the technical front, Bhims Ceciroleo’s music is a major asset. His background score elevates the action sequences significantly. Prasad Murella’s cinematography is impressive, capturing the essence of the scenes well. Editor Thimmaraju’s work is satisfactory. The production values are high, and there’s no compromise in terms of budget, making the film visually appealing.
Strengths
Ashok Galla’s performanceAction sequencesMusic
Weaknesses
Lackluster storytellingWeak love trackIneffective use of mythology
Telugu.yousay.tv Rating: 2/5
November 22 , 2024