‘Paruvu’ (2024) - Web Series Review

Genre: Crime, Thriller

Written by: Siddharth Naidu

Directed by: Siddharth Naidu, Vadlpati Rajashekar

Starring:

• Nivetha Pethuraj as Dolly
• Naresh Agastya as Sudheer
• Nagendra Babu as Rammayya
• Ramesh as Subhasham
• Sunil Kommisetty as Chandu
• Praneetha Patnaik as Swathi
• Rajkumar Kasireddy as ASI Chakravarthy
• Amit Tiwari as Kalloji
• Moeem as ASI Balaji
• Anil Teja as Ranga
• Bindhu Chandramouli as Radha

Music by: Shravan Bharadwaz
Country of Origin: India
Language: Telugu
Producers: Vishnu Prasad Laggisetty, Susmitha Konidela
Cinematography: Vidyasagar Chinta
Editor: Viplav

Plot:
"Paruvu" translates to "Honor" and centers around star-crossed lovers who elope, breaking traditional boundaries. Upon returning to their hometown, they uncover a dark secret that forces them to fight for their lives. The series dives into the complexities of clan rivalries driven by pride, politics, and social status, all within a tense 24-hour timeframe filled with twists and turns that threaten their survival and the core of their community.

Performances:

• Nivetha Pethuraj: Delivers a commendable performance as Dolly, showcasing her versatility and depth in a challenging role.
• Naresh Agastya: Portrays Sudheer effectively, adding to the narrative's tension.
• Nagendra Babu: Stands out as Rammayya, especially in episodes 4 and 6, where his portrayal resonates with a veteran politician's gravitas.
• Supporting Cast: Every cast member, including side characters, delivers stellar performances that enhance the story's engagement.

Technicians:

• Music: Shravan Bharadwaz's background music is a strong point, effectively connecting the audience to the story and enhancing the tension.
• Cinematography: Vidyasagar Chinta captures the essence of the narrative with a keen eye, adding to the series' visual appeal.
• Editing: Viplav's editing ensures a tight, engaging narrative, especially with well-placed cliffhangers.

Strengths:

• Story and Screenplay: The engaging and fast-paced storyline keeps viewers hooked, particularly from the fourth episode onward.
• Performances: Strong performances from the entire cast, with special mentions to Nivetha Pethuraj and Nagendra Babu.
• Direction and Execution: The directors successfully maintain tension and drama, particularly in episodes featuring significant plot twists.

Weaknesses:

• Execution of Depth: Some scenes lack the necessary depth, which could have been explored more thoroughly.
• Technical Oversights: The series takes significant cinematic liberties, overlooking realistic technical aspects like CCTV and call trackers.
• Ending: The 8th episode's ending and post-credit scene feel somewhat forced, setting up the next season without much subtlety.

My Personal Take:
"Paruvu" is a gripping thriller that's perfect for binge-watching. While it takes a few episodes to pick up pace, from the fourth episode onward, it becomes highly engaging. The portrayal of a single day filled with flashbacks is well-executed, despite some technical oversights and the forced nature of the ending. For thriller fans, it offers an engaging watch with strong performances and an intriguing plot. A treat for thriller fans, with room for improvement in depth and technical realism.

Rating: 3/5