Howrah Bridge Review – Zero Connect

BOTTOM LINE
Zero Connect

OUR RATING
1.5/5

CENSOR
‘U/A’Certified, 2 hrs 09 mins

What Is the Film About?
Arjun (Rahul Ravindran) loves Sweety (Chandini Chowdhary) from childhood. When he returns to the village after eighteen years, she fails to recognize him. Arjun and Sweety eventually fall in love. However, there is a twist in the tale, and Arjun leaves her alone at the bridge. Why does he go and did they meet again is what the film is all about.

How Is Rahul Ravindran’s Performance?
Rahul Ravindran just strolls through the movie causally delivering dialogues and working his charm. It is a character that requires him to be at his charming self, and he does that part well. The problem is an entire film can’t rely on that alone, and there has to be some emotional connection. Some scenes require the emotions, but he is unconvincing there. It is the same when he fights. In fact, it feels like he is mocking the audience ‘fighting’ and trying to be a conventional star hero with a ‘Champion’ tee.

[m9ad]

Direction by Rewon Yadu?
Rewon Yadhu provides the story, screenplay in addition to direction. We have to say the story is alright, but it is in the screenplay and direction departments where he fails. The basic idea of a bridge bringing the lovers together is lovely and how the ending happens around it could have been gripping. On paper, it must have seemed plausible, but when it comes to the big screen, the director has failed to bring life to the proceedings.

The biggest problem with the movie is the screenplay that is filled with unnecessary scenes having comedy or commercial ingredients. Also, the romance and drama involving the lead are poorly handled most of the time. It is only when things turn grave that there is a vague sense of connecting thanks to a performer like Ajay. The comedy issue plagues both halves with more than half the runtime feeling like junk.

The scenes during the pre-climax are the best part even with all the predictability in place. But once again the climax is a let down in the way it is executed. It comes across as silly and unintentionally comical. Overall, Howrah Bridge had the scope for a decent romantic outing conceptually and on paper, but it fails big time when seen on screen.

Chandini Chowdary- and Others?
Chandini Chowdhary is given a routine heroine role who loves the hero after acting all snotty. She is okay in part. Manali Rathod is unimpressive. It was a critical character but fails. Ajay has put on a sincere act and is only one in the entire movie that manages to get a reaction of any kind. Rao Ramesh is predictable. Madhu and Posani Krishna Murali are wasted. Vidhyulekha and Ali comedy track doesn’t bring any laughs.

Music and Other Departments?
Music by Sekhar Chandra is his usual stuff with one song getting into the groove. The background score is weak. The cinematography is decent. Editing is okay. The dialogues are corny and clichéd mostly.

Highlights?
Basic Concept
Pre-climax
Ajay

Drawbacks?
Silly Comedy
No Emotional connect
Screenplay

Alternative Take
Better casting and a realistic making would make the same subject look like a different movie.

Did I Enjoy It?
No

Will You Recommend It?
No

Howrah Bridge Review by Siddartha