BOTTOM LINE
Silly And Illogical Spy Thriller
OUR RATING
2/5
CENSOR
‘UA’ Certified, 2 hrs 27 mins
What Is the Film About?
Arjun (Gopichand) is a RAW agent. He takes up a dangerous and complicated mission risking his life. Arjun catches a terrorist member Salim who is linked to the bigger fish Qureshi. He also has an undercover personality Rama Krishna as a bank officer. What happens when both the world collide? How will Arjun saves his colleagues and thwarts the plans of attack on Indian is what the movie is all about?
How Is Gopichand’s Performance?
Gopichand does his job as sincerely as one expects of him. He goes through the process with clinical ease. The loudness is toned down a bit, and the action is highlighted, which is his strength. There are mandatory comedy blocks as well. For the role that has been given to him, there is nothing to complain. However, there is nothing new, too at the same time. We have seen Gopichand do all this before and better as well.
Direction by Thiru?
As one should be aware by now, Chanakya is a spy thriller. The genre is slowly becoming a regular one in Telugu cinema. It holds a lot of potential for action and thrill, but so far the full potential hasn’t been explored. Chanakya does not do anything to change it as well.
The movie starts interestingly with an operation conducted by RAW. The tone of the film is set. Chanakya is not a serious spy thriller. It is a commercial masala movie made using the “spy” elements and thrills. Everything is there only they are used to serve the ‘super-hero’ at the centre of it all.
After the setup of the core plot involving Pakistan and terrorism, the story soon shifts to Delhi. We are then taken into the undercover part of the spy. It is used to generate fun and entertainment. One doesn’t mind a couple of sequences, but it gets progressively bad and tiring. What further takes it down is how unrelated it is to the core story of the movie.
Finally, after all the entertainment, the seriousness is brought towards the interval. It is here that we get into the basic plot, after a token connection between the agent and undercover duality.
The second half, compared to the first half is a lot better. It is so because the narrative focuses solely on the need to take the story forward. The spy elements are again used in a ridiculous and illogical fashion. But, the pace at which it proceeds makes it alright. There is no lag until we hit a speed-breaker again involving the romance.
Another major problem with the movie is the superhero nature of the agent Arjun. He doesn’t listen to his higher officials, and he does what he thinks is right and takes rash decisions. After doing all that, Arjun still emerges winning. There is no weak spot or vulnerability with his character. It undermines the thrill aspect of the movie because we know nothing is going to happen to him or his plan. The whole fun of a “spy” movie is lost, thus. The ‘vulnerability’ aspect is used only to prolong the narrative.
Since the ‘masala’ making of the genre has been established, the illogical nature is understood. But, Chanakya goes too far even on that score to make one look at proceedings in utter disbelief. There are twists and turns, but the ‘beyond-illogical’ aspect must be kept in mind.
Overall, Chanakya is a spy thriller that offers no thrills. What we actually get is so silly and over the top that it hardly makes any difference in engaging the viewers. If you love the genre, there are far better options elsewhere.
Mehreen, Zareen Khan and Others?
Mehreen Pirzada plays a typical love interest kind of role. She has done similar parts before, and there is nothing new here. At the end of the movie, though, the character feels entirely unnecessary. It appears as only a commercial add-on. Zarine Khan has a short but more impactful role comparatively. However, it also ends abruptly leaving no impact. Nassar is alright. Rajesh Khattar and Upen Patel are excellent choices, especially the former. But, he has nothing to show acting-wise. The rest, which includes Sunil and Raghubabu are forgettable.
Music and Other Departments?
Vishal Chandrasekhar and Sricharan Pakala are credited with the music of the movie. The former has provided the songs which are okay, but unnecessary. The latter has done an excellent job with BGM. The cinematography by Vetri is neat. The editing could have been better. The dialogues by Abburi Ravi are par for course. They are nowhere near his work for similar kind of flick done before.
Highlights?
Background Score
A couple of blocks in Second Half
Core Plot
Drawbacks?
First Half
Lack Of Seriousness and Thrills
Illogical and Silly
Alternative Take
Lack of tension is the major problem in the movie; it could be had if there was better personal integration of Arjun in the story. Also, making him slightly less superhero would have helped a lot.
Did I Enjoy It?
No
Will You Recommend It?
No
Chanakya Review by Siddartha Toleti