
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!


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.






<strong>Satyadev: 'Don’t Let Zebra Be Like That,' Satyadev Appeals to Telugu Audiences</strong>


This week, Tollywood saw the release of three key films at the box office. Vishwak Sen’s Mechanic Rocky, Satyadev’s Zebra, and Ashok Galla’s Devaki Nandana Vasudeva hit the screens on Friday, November 22. While Vishwak and Satyadev’s films managed to garner average talk, Ashok Galla’s film received outright disastrous feedback. Let’s examine how these films performed on their first day, their collections, and whether they faced significant setbacks or achieved reasonable numbers.



Mechanic Rocky’s Collections



Vishwak Sen’s Mechanic Rocky, featuring Meenakshi Chaudhary and Shraddha Srinath as the female leads, was directed by Raviteja Mullapudi and released on Friday, November 22. Earlier this year, Vishwak impressed audiences with Gaami and Gangs of Godavari, both earning good reception. Hoping for a hat-trick with Mechanic Rocky, Vishwak faced disappointment as the film only managed average talk. This directly impacted its opening-day collections. The movie earned just ₹2.3 crores gross worldwide on its first day, significantly lower than Vishwak’s previous films. Gangs of Godavari and Gaami grossed ₹8 crores and ₹8.6 crores respectively on their opening days, while Das Ka Dhamki earned ₹8.88 crores. Compared to these, Mechanic Rocky’s first-day collections plummeted by a staggering 75%.







Zebra’s Collections



Satyadev and Daali Dhananjaya starred in Zebra, directed by Eashvar Karthik, known for Penguin. The film, featuring Priya Bhavani Shankar and Amrutha Aiyengar as the female leads, was a white-collar crime drama. Despite promotions by Megastar Chiranjeevi, Zebra failed to live up to expectations and garnered average talk. This reflected in the collections as well. According to trade analysts, the film grossed ₹65.8 lakhs worldwide on its first day, with ₹55.5 lakhs coming from the Telugu states. While there is hope for better collections over the weekend, the lackluster start poses a challenge for the film.







Devaki Nandana Vasudeva’s Collections



Ashok Galla, the son of businessman Galla Jayadev and nephew of Mahesh Babu, starred in Devaki Nandana Vasudeva. With a story by Hanu-Man fame Prasanth Varma and directed by Arjun Jandhyala, the film attempted to mix spirituality, commercial elements, and thrill. However, its release on November 22 brought shockwaves with disastrous talk and poor reception. Unsurprisingly, the collections were abysmal, grossing just ₹15.5 lakhs worldwide on its opening day, as per trade reports. Given the negative buzz surrounding the film, collections are expected to dip further in the coming days.







These first-day numbers paint a grim picture for the Tollywood releases of the week, with Vishwak Sen’s market taking a hit and Satyadev and Ashok Galla struggling even more to leave a mark.


Tollywood Box Office Report: Vishwak Sen’s ‘Mechanic Rocky’ Stumbles, Satyadev’s ‘Zebra’ Struggles, and Ashok Galla’s ‘Devaki Nandana Vasudeva’ Disappoints


The Telugu film industry faced significant disappointment last week in terms of collections and entertainment. The films 'Kanguva' and 'Matka' were disasters at the box office, which has increased the interest in this week's releases. Although there are no major star-led films releasing this week, Vishwak Sen's 'Mechanic Rocky' promises to be noteworthy. Following that, films like 'Roti Kapada Romance' and 'Zebra' are ready for release. Additionally, over 30 new films and web series are set to premiere on various OTT platforms. Let's take a look at these films now.



Devaki Nandana Vasudeva



Mahesh Babu's nephew, Ashok Galla, stars in his second film, Devaki Nandana Vasudeva. The already released trailer has heightened expectations, showcasing Ashok's strong screen presence. Directed by Arjun Jandyala, the film features former Miss India Manasa Varanasi as the heroine, with Prasanth Varma of Hanuman fame providing the story. Initially planned for a November 14 release, the film is now set to hit the screens on November 22.







Mechanic Rocky



Vishwak Sen, eagerly awaiting a significant hit, returns with a unique story in 'Mechanic Rocky.' The trailer and songs have already received positive responses. Introducing Ravi Teja Mullapudi as the director, this action comedy film, which revolves around a love triangle, features Meenakshi Chaudhary and Shraddha Srinath as the heroines. Produced by Ram Talluri, the film is scheduled for release on November 22.







Roti Kapada Romance



Delayed for various reasons over the past year, 'Roti Kapada Romance' is finally set to release this week. The film stars hot beauty Nuveksha, Harsha Narra, Khushboo Choudhary, Meghalekha, and Tarun Pradhan in key roles, directed by Vikram Reddy.







Zebra



Starring the versatile actor Satyadev Kancharana, 'Zebra' is an upcoming Telugu film with a unique storyline. The trailer has garnered good responses. Priya Bhavani Shankar and Amritha Aiyer play the female leads in this film directed by Eashvar Karthic, with Dinesh Sundaram producing it.







This Week OTT Movies (November 18-24)



As for the OTT releases, 'Nayanthara Life Documentary' and the dubbed film 'Kishkindha Kaandam' are generating interest. Alongside these, a talk show hosted by Rana Daggubati, 'Unnanthalo,' is also catching attention. In addition to these, several Hindi and English movies/web series are ready for streaming on various OTT platforms.



Please check for More OTT movie &amp; web series releases



https://telugu.yousay.tv/en/tfidb/ott



PlatformMovie/Webseries NameLanguage/TypeRelease DateHotstarKishkindha KaandamTelugu Dubbed MovieNovember 19Interior ChinatownEnglish SeriesNovember 19Alien: RomulusEnglish MovieNovember 21Bia &amp; VictorPortuguese SeriesNovember 22Out of My MindEnglish MovieNovember 22ETV WinI Hate LoveTelugu MovieNovember 21Repathi VeluguTelugu MovieNovember 21NetflixNayanthara: Beyond the FairytaleDocumentaryNovember 18Wonderoos Season 2English SeriesNovember 18Zombiverse Season 2Korean SeriesNovember 19See Her AgainCantonese SeriesNovember 20AdorationItalian SeriesNovember 20A Man on the InsideEnglish SeriesNovember 21Tokyo Over RideJapanese SeriesNovember 21JoyEnglish MovieNovember 22Pokémon Horizons Part 4Japanese SeriesNovember 22SpellboundEnglish MovieNovember 22The Helicopter HeistSwedish SeriesNovember 22The Piano LessonEnglish MovieNovember 22TransmithSpanish MovieNovember 22Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein Season 2Hindi SeriesNovember 22The Empress Season 2German SeriesNovember 22Amazon PrimeCampus Beats Season 4Hindi SeriesNovember 20Wack GirlsHindi SeriesNovember 22PimpineroSpanish MovieNovember 22The Rana Daggubati ShowTelugu Talk ShowNovember 23Jio CinemaDune: ProphecyEnglish SeriesNovember 18Based on a True Story Season 2English SeriesNovember 22The Sex Lives of College Girls Season 3English SeriesNovember 22Harold and the Purple CrayonEnglish MovieNovember 23Manorama MaxTekku VadakkuMalayalam MovieNovember 19Apple TV+BlitzEnglish MovieNovember 22BookMyShowFrom DarknessSwedish MovieNovember 22The Girl in the TrunkEnglish MovieNovember 22The Night My Dad Saved ChristmasSpanish MovieNovember 22Lionsgate PlayGreedy PeopleEnglish MovieNovember 22


This Week’s OTT &  Telugu Movie Releases ( Nov 22th)


Chiranjeevi, a leading actor in Tollywood, has dominated the Telugu film industry for over four decades. Even in his sixties, he continues to give young heroes a run for their money with his films. Currently, he serves as an inspiration to the entire generation of young heroes, mentoring newcomers along the way. Chiranjeevi stands as a pillar of support for these emerging stars without any backing in the industry, often attending their movie promotions and contributing to their success. Recently, he graced the pre-release event of Satyadev’s 'Zebra' as a chief guest, boosting the morale of young actors by specially mentioning small films.



Praise for Small Films



Chiranjeevi, a fervent fan and established actor, attended the pre-release event of Satyadev's 'Zebra,' which will be released on the 22nd of this month in Hyderabad. At the event, Chiranjeevi highlighted the successes of small films released this year. He expressed his joy over the Pan-India success of Prasanth Varma and Teja Sajja's 'Hanuman' released during Sankranti. He also acknowledged the successes of 'Committee Kurrollu' produced by Niharika Konidela, and 'Tillu Square' starring Siddhu Jonnalagadda. He was pleased with the Diwali releases 'Lucky Baskhar,' 'Ka,' and 'Amaran,' noting them as positive developments. He mentioned watching 'Matthu Vadalara 2,' starring Keeravani’s son Sri Simha and comedian Satya, twice and praised their performances. The respective film teams were elated by Chiranjeevi’s endorsement.




https://twitter.com/GulteOfficial/status/1856370891417932076




Reliable Support for Young Heroes



Chiranjeevi continues to support the new generation of heroes who consider him their inspiration. Recently, he attended the pre-release event of Satyadev’s film and even suggested Satyadev as the antagonist for his own movie 'Godfather,' giving a significant boost to Satyadev’s career. Previously, Chiranjeevi praised young hero Suhas at a film event, commending his performance in 'Colour Photo,' which moved Suhas to tears. He also blessed young actor Sharwanand at the 'Sreekaaram' movie pre-release event. When the 'Committee Kurrollu' team visited Chiru's residence, he blessed the lead actor Yashwant, who was visibly grateful during a photo session. Chiranjeevi consistently encourages young actors whenever the opportunity arises.







Chiranjeevi Set to Visit Japan!



Chiranjeevi is currently working on the film 'Viswambhara,' directed by 'Bimbisara' fame Vashistha Mallidi. According to the latest buzz, he will soon head to Japan for a ten-day shooting schedule, which will include important scenes and songs. The film, produced under the banner of UV Creations by Vikram, Vamshi, and Pramod, is being made as a socio-fantasy entertainer similar to 'Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari' and 'Anji.' Scheduled for a Sankranti 2025 release, Chiranjeevi has stepped back from 'Game Changer' with Ram Charan to focus on 'Viswambhara.'







Three Distinguished Honors This Year



This year has been memorable for Chiranjeevi, who received three prestigious awards. Last month, he was honored with the ANR National Award, presented by Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan in the presence of Akkineni Nagarjuna's family. In June, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, from the President. His family, including his wife Surekha, son Ram Charan, daughter-in-law Upasana, and daughter Sushmita, attended the ceremony. Chiranjeevi also made it to the Guinness Book of World Records for his contributions to 156 films and 537 songs, enchanting audiences with 24,000 dance steps.






Chiranjeevi: Godfather to Young Heroes, A Big Salute to This Mega Support!

Zebra

జీబ్రా

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.



సత్యదేవ్ (Satya Dev), డాలి ధనంజయ్ (Daali Dhananjaya) ప్రధాన పాత్రల్లో నటించిన చిత్రం ‘జీబ్రా’ (Zebra Movie Review). ‘పెంగ్విన్‌’ సినిమాను డైరెక్ట్‌ చేసిన ఈశ్వర్‌ కార్తీక్‌ ఈ చిత్రాన్ని తెరకెక్కించారు. ప్రియా భవానీ శంకర్‌, అమృత అయ్యంగార్‌ కథానాయికలుగా చేశారు. వైట్ కాలర్‌ క్రైమ్‌ డ్రామాలో దీనిని రూపొందించారు. మెగాస్టార్‌ చిరు (Chiranjeevi) ఈ మూవీ ప్రమోషన్స్‌లో స్వయంగా పాల్గొనడంతో సినిమాపై భారీగా అంచనాలు ఏర్పడ్డాయి. నవంబర్‌ 22న విడుదలైన ఈ చిత్రం ప్రేక్షకులను ఆకట్టుకుందా? సరైన హిట్‌ లేక ఇబ్బంది పడుతున్న సత్యదేవ్‌కు విజయాన్ని అందించిందా? ఈ రివ్యూలో తెలుసుకుందాం. 



YouSay Review

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

Satyadev and Daali Dhananjaya star in the film Zebra, directed by Eashvar Karthic of Penguin fame. Priya Bhavani Shankar and Amrutha Iyengar play the ...read more

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