BOTTOM LINE
Silly, Illogical, and Stretched Too Far
RATING
1.5/5
CENSOR
A, 2h 5m
What Is the Film About?
It is the year 1991, and the time is right after the assassination of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. A girl named Mary is found dead at the beach in Vizag. The CI is under enquiry related to the PM’s assassination and can’t deal with the murder issue which is blowing in his face.
The police hired a private detective Chanti aka Srikakulam Sherlock Holmes (Vennela Kishore) believing the promise that the case would be closed within seven days. The movie is about the different suspects, the killer’s finding, and the motive.
Performances
Vennela Kishore after playing an agent is seen as a detective here. The common thing between the two movies, Chari 111 and Srikakulam Sherlock Holmes is that both fit perfectly to the body language of the comedian.
Vennela Kishore is earnest, and his innocence comes in handy additionally, but that’s it. The character has no depth and it shows in the act even though an attempt is made via the flashback. A few moments of comedy timing and free-flowing dialogues in Uttar Andhra slang are things that work.
Ananya starts as a normal girl in the narrative and then slowly we see a change. The actress is okay initially but what happens next looks too big for her shoes. Bending of the head slightly doesn’t amount to the ‘whatever’ the desired impact the director and the actress intended.
Siya Gowtam doesn’t get much to do besides sitting in a chair and peeping through the window. She gets to do some action in the end, and, that’s all there is for her character.
Analysis
Writer Mohan directs Srikakulam Sherlock Holmes. It is a simple whodunit story with a murder and multiple suspects. Finding the killer is all the narrative is about.
All things said and done, the movie has an interesting opening. The premise and set-up have been interestingly designed. We get back in time to 1991 and there is a connection with real life incident. It all looks intriguing to begin with.
However, as soon as the main story commences, the intrigue is lost. The comic tone and execution are to be blamed. The former is also not a problem as it has been consistently maintained. The latter (direction) is the major issue, along with plotting.
The plot turns repetitive immediately. Furthermore, with the introduction of the different suspects an air of predictability too is felt. Add the weak direction and we have proceedings that don’t hold our interest much.
The idea of classical whodunnit is good and the premise too is interesting. However, the sharpness related to the proceedings, and suspects’ characterisations are missing. The clues are conveniently placed and the guesswork comes across as silly and juvenile the way it’s presented.
The setting is clearly designed to avoid police interference, but even a simple inspection of the murder site not being done seems too far-fetched, and illogical. The fact that the detective later gets all his clues from the same place makes the police look like a joke.
Despite the silly and illogical proceedings, the first half is still okay as it follows the format sincerely and interrogation around the main characters might hold some appeal. The interval is forced and doesn’t raise any hope for the second half.
As expected, things post-intermission lack even the appeal of the first as the main suspects are done. The secondary ones coming during the first half an hour or so, feel like fillers in the story.
And then all of a sudden we have an emotional flashback to give a personal motive to the lead. It is okay, but given the events and how they have unfolded so far, it looks contrived, and slightly out of place.
The climax and major reveal are okay for newbies to the genre. If one is a regular to the detective thrillers, it would be an easy guess. This predictability aspect is also another major dampener. The good thing is there are no new characters introduced all of a sudden. The execution is dated and it takes away the fun, the genre offers.
Overall, Srikakulam Sherlock Holmes has a passable beginning and end, but the entire stretch in between lacks enough content to hold attention. The fun is too little for the length. Even if you are an avid thriller watcher, there is nothing to see here. Stay far.
Performances by Others Actors
The investigative thriller narrative offers scope for multiple artists. We have the likes of Ravi Teja Mahadasyam, Sneha Gupta, Kalakeya Prabhakar, Sangita etc. playing vital roles. However, none have an impactful part that leaves an impression.
Anish Kuruvilla, in comparison, playing a police officer is better as he seems to have fun being irritated. His dubbing is not good, though. Naga Mahesh and Prabhavati as the hero’s parents are okay, and so is Bhadram. Muralidhar Goud is wasted. The rest of the cast is forgettable.
Music and Other Departments?
Sunil Kashyap provides the music. The songs are ineffective whereas the BGM is overbearing and overdone drowning the scene. Sometimes the dialogue is not audible. The cinematography is poor even for a low-budget flick. The editing is okay. The writing is decent in parts even with double entendres. The Srikakulam slang offers some freshness, but, it is not felt all the way.
Highlights?
Basic Premise
Climax
Screenplay Structure
Drawbacks?
Predictability
Silliness
Illogical
Drags
Repetitiveness
Did I Enjoy It?
No
Will You Recommend It?
No
Srikakulam Sherlockholmes Movie Review by M9
