BOTTOM LINE
Very Routine, Sivayya
RATING
2/5
CENSOR
U/A, 2h 4m
What Is the Film About?
There is a large conspiracy happening to plan massive attacks in India by the neighbouring forces from China and Pakistan. Meanwhile, a series of murders are happening in Hyderabad which involves employees from a chemical factory.
While the above-mentioned events are happening, Chandu (Ashwin) pursues his love which leads to an unexpected event. After that, Chandu experiences strange visions and hears voices.
How do the two unrelated tracks converge? The movie’s basic plot is revealing of the mystery and the end of it all.
Performances
Ashwin plays a typical hero character who gets to do action and romance with sprinkles of comedy in between. The actor goes about his part sincerely, although nothing stands out.
There is a decent amount of action, and Ashwin is good in them, as was seen in his last outing. However, he seems to be getting a bit heavier physically, which needs to be taken care of.
Digangana Suryawanshi, playing the heroine, gets a part that does all the routine stuff. It seems vital to the narrative, but it has nothing exciting performance-wise.
Analysis
Apsar directs Shivam Bhaje. It is an action thriller that mixes multiple sub-genres in that space, from a serial killer angle to bio-war terrorism.
The movie opens on an interesting note and has bits and pieces of intriguing bits until the pre-interval. What happens in between is as routine as it gets while tackling the hero-heroine romance and comedy.
The core mystery is what hooks one initially. What’s happening in the lab and its Chinese connection? How the murders are connected to the lab makes one relatively interested, even though nothing out of the ordinary happens.
The problem with Shivam Bhaje is that even these interesting bits involving conspiring, murders and investigation are done in the most routine way possible. It is full of cliches. Still, given what happens elsewhere with the hero, it feels better.
The real momentum builds in the narrative only towards the interval when the hero is inadvertently pushed into the main thread. The sequences that occur during this point pique our interest with a decent interval.
Post intermission, we have all the details put on the table, and things turn pretty clear from that point on. The twist that is revealed in the interval and explained post-interval is the mainstay of the movie. If not for this core deception nothing else in the movie has fresh appeal.
Once the key information is out, the narrative proceeds on the expected lines we usually associate with such content.
The following sequences feel rushed checking the various tick boxes and cliches associated with the genre.
The final twist in the tale at the end feels highly contrived and forced. It lacks the punch. The ending again takes place based on the current trend evoking the myths. The promos, in a way, were misleading as many expected the content to mostly be in this space with a mystery thriller aspect. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Overall, Shivam Bhaje is a routine action thriller that fills the narrative with all the routine genre cliches. A twist around the interval is unexpected, but that alone isn’t sufficient to hold things together. If you are a hardcore thriller movie lover, try it with zero expectations; otherwise, stay away.
Performances by Others Actors
None of the actors besides the lead pair have a defined part in the movie. We have Arbaz Khan after a long gap in a Telugu movie, but he doesn’t have much to do. Some other known faces whom one can recognise instantly are wasted in inconsequential roles.
Music and Other Departments?
Vikas Badisa’s music is forgettable. The background score following the loud template is alright in parts. However, nothing elevates the proceedings, though. The cinematography is okay for small to medium-budget films. The editing is choppy. The narrative doesn’t flow smoothly and gives a patchy feel. The writing could have been better.
Highlights?
Interval Block
Post Interval
Drawbacks?
Routine Narrative
Cliches Galore
Poor Supporting Characters
No Thrills
Did I Enjoy It?
No
Will You Recommend It?
No
Shivam Bhaje Movie Review by M9