Bottom Line: A Flat-out Thriller
“Sadanaath Saadhane Sarvam...”
Magnus
Cine Prime Banner’s Karthikeya is about a young man whose life is
turned upside down when he risks up his life to find the truth behind a
temple mystery. Karthik (Nikhil Siddhartha) a happy go lucky guy and he
is whizz when it comes to solving mysteries. In the same time, Endowment
Officer Shankar (Raja Ravindra) comes to solve the mystery behind
Subrahmanya Puram Temple and dies without solving it. Karthik’s life
takes a serious turn when he discovers a copy of Shankar’s book on
Subrahmanyapuram Temple. He realizes that this book had some links with
Temple Mystery. But things turns around when he gets to know about
scientific things relating to the temple. The rest of the story is about
how Karthik overcomes the curse and reopens the Subrahmanya Swamy
Temple.
Everything
seems half baked or in some cases completely uncooked. Nikhil
Siddhartha looks good, but seemed a bit off playing the mature
character. Swathi’s character doesn’t really have much to do,
nonetheless she tried her best and passes off as average. Rao Ramesh
plays the part with utmost conviction. Kishore is simply wasted in an
absurd role. Tanikella Bharini did full justice for his small character.
Satya, Praveen and Jogi brothers succeed in tickling some funny bones.
Tulasi as sentimental mother is just about okay.
The
story starts on a decent note and then manages to grab your attention
until the weak and puerile climax. The writer manage the weave a good
mesh around the concept, but as it keeps unlaxing the twists turns out
to be predictable and lame. The love track hamper the flow of the movie.
The romantic part was unwanted and act as speed breakers to the
suspense narration. The first half of the film passes by very swiftly,
despite the songs. But post interval, Karthikeya turns interesting with
the scientific and credulity. And end the film, as we left with message,
If we don't understand doesn't mean that the explanation doesn't exist.
Chandu
Mondeti as a debutant director looks very promising and surely can be
given a benefit of doubt, as the problem lies in the scripting. Some
scenes like; Sketchy narration of the Temple’s history, Revealing Animal
Magnetism, and Tanikella Bharini - Nikhil’s conversation in the end are
brightly shot. His direction somehow, induces life in the film
otherwise a dull affair. As a result, even though the films running time
is two hours, it seems much longer than that. Punnami Vennala &
Inthalo songs are very good. The other songs are fine and do not add
much value to the narrative. Karthik Gattamneni’s cinematography is very
good. The shots at the guest house deserves a special mention. Editor K
Srinivas could have cut short the film by 10-15 minutes. VFX shots in
the film are brilliant elevates the flashback episodes. The production
values of Magnus CIne Prime are fine.
Thankfully
here is a suspense thriller film that stays true to the genre and makes
an honest attempt to keep a viewer interested. Okay, so it may not be
as polished a product as a Murari or as intriguing as a Anveshana; still
the fact remains that when it comes to an overall narrative, director
Chandu Modeti has his basics well in place.
Suspense
Thriller movies have been attempted in Tollywood earlier, but
Karthikeya comes at a time when Suspense thriller movies are as good as
extinct in Tollywood. And that’s its USP. The History – in Cartoonish
way, Conversations for Blindfaith – Belief, Comparisons between Science
and Miracle will surely compel you while watching the film. As the film
ends on a note which gives a clear indication of Karthikeya being
developed as a franchise with Part 2 in the offering. Its even
interesting what the makers have to offer next. All in all, Karthikeya
is a different movie with a potentially good concept. Worth a shot.
- Title : REVIEW : KARTHIKEYA
- Star Cast : Nikhil Siddharth, Swati Reddy
- Producer : Venkat Srinivas Boggaram
- Director : Chandoo Mondeti
- Music : Sekhar Chandra
- Released on: 24-10-2014
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