Dayaa Review – Flat But Tolerable

BOTTOM LINE
Flat But Tolerable

OUR RATING
2.25/5

Platform
Disney+ Hotstar

What Is the Film About?

Dayaa (JD Chakravarthy) is a simple truck driver who works at Kakinada Fisheries, transferring seafood via a cold storage vehicle. His simple life changes dramatically when a dead body is found in the truck he drives.

Who’s body is found in Dayaa’s truck? How is it related to the local MLA? The basic story of Dayaa is centred on a simpleton’s escape from criminals’ clutches and finding out the truth behind the murder.

Performances

JD Chakravarthy is seen playing a proper hero role with heroic moments after a long time in Telugu. Dayaa’s character offers him enough scope to shine by showing subtle variations. JD Chakravarthy does a good job with all of them.

JD Chakravarthy neatly carries out the variation in character involving transformation. The body language and the voice also turn different here, showing a glimpse of the peak period of the actor more than a couple of decades ago. It can be called a proper comeback for the actor.

Eesha Rebba appears briefly in the series. At the start, it looks like another supporting part, but as the narrative progresses, it gets a lot of build-up. We have a glimpse of some never seen before act from the actress, but we don’t get anything fully here. She is alright in what is given here.

Ramya Nambeesan has a powerful role playing a journalist. She is the core on which the entire story rests and is superb in the part. The actress exudes the confidence and grace required simultaneously. There is another personal side which makes the role complete. Ramya nails that also neatly.

Analysis

Pavan Sadineni of Prema Ishq Kadhal and Senapathi fame directs Dayaa. It is a Telugu adaptation of the Bengali series Taqdeer. The core hook point and critical moments are taken from the original and given commercial touchups in Telugu style here.

Without wasting much time, we get into the primary hook of the series within the first episode. It is quick as the length is short, and word building is done fastly.

Once the protagonist is locked in the curious situation, the narrative doesn’t let the attention slip as something or the other keeps happening. The scenes involving the lead engage and make one look forward to seeing how he escapes from it.

However, the initial grip on the narrative isn’t maintained going forward. The revelation related to the main story and the introduction of new characters slowly brings out the predictability in content. The way the different threads develop isn’t new.

However, one is willing to proceed despite the issues due to the core intriguing element related to the lead character. It has been changed entirely from the original, where he was an ordinary man. There is mass elevation here in the adaptation.

Despite good performances and decent writing, the subplots don’t hold much interest. They follow a beaten-to-death stereotype usually seen in space. It is the reason for the predictability in the first place.

However, despite all that’s happening, the bigger issue is the lack of closure for the series. By the time one reaches the middle, it becomes clear that the story won’t end with the first part. It wouldn’t have been a problem if, in the end, one felt the same, but midway makes the proceedings feel like a drag. Many scenes overstay their welcome, and the writing turns thin, barring a few sequences.

The end is a set-up for the second season. Some of the characters only seem to begin now and are likely to have a major role in the series’s second outing. The question is, will the current set of events and lacklustre end make one look that way?

Overall, Dayaa has enough intriguing action, to begin with, but it turns thin as the narrative progresses. If one likes thrillers with unique hooks, give it a try, but have expectations firmly in check for the series as a whole.

Performances by Others Actors

Josh Ravi’s character is the one that instantly comes to mind when we think of the actors in the series. He gets a nice supporting character that evokes the desired reaction when necessary. Pelli fame Prudhvi gets a makeover playing a negative part. He relishes the moments, but there is nothing in the character beyond the initial presentation.

Vishnupriya B has a decent role, and she is alright. The trendy modern vibe is captured well without being overboard. Nanda Gopal shines again in a unique character. The rest of the actors are okay, appearing briefly.

Music and Other Departments?

Shravan Bharadwaj’s music is superb within the setting. The background score is electric, with excellent sound design and mixing. It keeps the proceedings lively even when nothing much happens.

Vivek Kalepu’s cinematography is neat. There is a lot of darkness at times, which seems intentional, but it could be handled better. The editing is slick. Viplav Nyshadam has done a decent job here in maintaining the right pace and giving the actors the time to shine. The wring is fine overall, but some parts look very predictable for the space.

Highlights?

Casting

BGM

The Initial Hook To The Story

Drawbacks?

Routineness In Subplots

Predictable Progress After A Point

Did I Enjoy It?

Yes, In Parts

Will You Recommend It?

Yes, But With Reservations

Dayaa Webseries Review by M9News