‘Nindha’ (2024) - Review

Directed and written by: Rajesh Jagannadham

Starring by: Varun Sandesh, Tanikella Bharani, Annie, Bhadram
Genres: Thriller
Country: India
Language: Telugu

Plot:
"Nindha" revolves around Vivek, who kidnaps a Sub-Inspector, a doctor, a lawyer, a constable, and two commoners, holding them hostage to uncover the truth behind the arrest of Balaraju for a brutal murder in Kandrakota. The film starts with the hostages being held in an unknown location, leading to intense interrogations that reveal details of a five-year-old case, suggesting that an innocent man may have been framed.

Performance:

• Varun Sandesh: Plays Vivek, and while his initial scenes are impactful, the reveal of his face and motives early on reduces the tension and impact of his character.
• Tanikella Bharani: Delivers a strong performance as expected, adding depth to the narrative.
• Annie and Bhadram: Provide adequate support in their respective roles, contributing to the film's overall atmosphere.

Technical Aspects:

• Direction: Rajesh Jagannadham has a clear vision, but the execution falters, especially in maintaining suspense and pacing.
• Cinematography: Adequately captures the claustrophobic and tense environment of the hostage situation.
• Editing: Could have been tighter, especially to enhance the film's pacing and suspense.
• Music: The background score fails to elevate the tension and often feels out of place.

Strengths:

• Initial Setup: The movie starts with an intriguing setup that captures the audience's attention, promising a thrilling narrative.
• Interrogation Scenes: These scenes are well-crafted, revealing bits of the backstory and keeping viewers engaged initially.

Weaknesses:

• Pacing: The film suffers from slow pacing, which diminishes the suspense and thrill expected from a thriller.
• Predictability: The climax and major plot twists are easily predictable, reducing the overall impact.
• Execution: While the idea is solid and promising on paper, the execution lacks the finesse needed to make it compelling.
• Revelation Timing: The reveal of Vivek's face and motives too early in the film reduces the tension and suspense.

Personal Take: "Nindha" has a promising premise with a strong setup that initially hooks the viewer. However, the film struggles to maintain this momentum due to its slow pacing and predictable plot twists. Varun Sandesh's performance is decent, but the early reveal of his character's motives diminishes the film's overall impact.

While the film has some notable moments, particularly in its initial setup and interrogation scenes, it falls short in delivering a gripping thriller experience. The direction and execution could have been better to fully realize the potential of the storyline.

"Nindha" is worth a watch for fans of Varun Sandesh and those interested in a thriller with an intriguing premise, but it may not fully satisfy viewers looking for a tightly-knit, edge-of-the-seat experience. The film highlights the need for better execution to turn a good idea into a compelling cinematic experience.

Rating: 2.25/5