An Aura of Mystery
The newest offering on the Telugu cinema landscape comes wrapped in whispers of fear, “SaiKo is back,” an ominous phrase that marks the return of Venkatesh Daggubati’s character Saindhav Koneru in the film ‘Saindhav’. Helmed by Sailesh Kolanu, the movie subtly preys on the collective anticipation associated with it being Venkatesh’s 75th film. The seasoned actor’s presence alone suffuses the narrative with gravitas, allowing the myth of SaiKo—a moniker laden with terror—to unravel without haste. The film expects the audience to bask in the enigma surrounding SaiKo, suggesting that patience will grant them a worthy payoff.
Domesticity and Danger
The opening scenes paint a picture of normalcy with Saindhav leading an unremarkable life as a crane operator in a middle-class area, doting on his young daughter Gayathri played by Ssara Palekar. His interaction with neighbour Manognya, portrayed by Shraddha Srinath, grounds the narrative in reality. A carefully placed comment about his age not only breaks the fourth wall but also acknowledges and justifies the father-daughter age gap. As Manognya’s backstory unfolds, we glimpse her struggles, portrayal of strength, and blossoming fondness for Saindhav.
While Saindhav grapples with domestic concerns, a sense of dread grows, stemming from illegal activities at the port city—a hub for trafficking and power struggles. Saindhav’s own battles become entangled with those of the city’s underbelly as he strives to procure a costly cure for his daughter’s health condition. Gayathri’s unwavering belief in her father’s heroics infuses the storyline with an emotional core and sets the stage for Saindhav’s revival as the feared SaiKo.
Stellar Appeasement vs Storytelling
Unfortunately, the film’s pacing falters in its quest to maintain a delicate balance between thrilling action and engaging drama. The insistence on hammering in SaiKo’s legend through repetitive phrases and slow-motion sequences intended to amplify Venkatesh’s on-screen persona results in redundancy, overshadowing a possibly tight narrative. The director’s previous work ‘HIT: The First Case’ displayed a finesse in storytelling that ‘Saindhav’ seems to let slip through its fingers.
When the cartel’s dynamics heat up and Saindhav confronts adversaries like Viswamitra (Mukesh Rishi), Vikas Malik (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), Jasmine (Andrea Jeremiah), and Michael (Jisshu Sengupta), the plot thickens with exposition. The audience is spoon-fed details that would have been better left for them to decipher, a technique Kolanu’s debut film executed with acumen, something sorely missed here.
The Upswing
With its back against the ropes, ‘Saindhav’ regains momentum when the stakes are elevated with the introduction of Vikas as a formidable opponent. The action sequences and strategic moves captivate, retaining attention through a revealing narrative that smartly eschews indulgent flashbacks. The film hits a stride, delivering tactical spectacle and emotional punches, albeit later in the story.
A Testament to Talent
Venkatesh’s performance anchors the film steadfastly. He persuasively embodies the action hero, embodying both the emotional turmoil of a father and the menacing resolve of a seasoned warrior. The film doffs its hat to inspirations like ‘John Wick’ and Kamal Haasan’s ‘Hey Ram’, subtly acknowledging its cinematic roots.
Supporting characters, including Nawazuddin’s vulnerable yet ambitious Vikas, who speaks a hybrid of Dakhni and Telugu, bolster the storyline with depth. Ruhani Sharma, Shraddha Srinath, and Andrea Jeremiah contribute effectively, while Arya’s limited screen time left something to be desired from his talent.
A Gritty Urban Slate
Great care is taken to render the fictional city of Chandraprastha, a true character in its own right, bustling with a dark undercurrent appropriate for the narrative’s demands. Manikandan’s cinematography injects the story with an appropriate dose of grime and gravity.
Final Verdict
Despite its valiant attempts, ‘Saindhav’ stumbles in its quest to blend high-intensity action with profound emotional stakes. While several sequences impress and the film’s latter half might offer redemption, it is not the unerring cinematic experience one might have hoped for. As the credits roll and speculation of a sequel swirls, one can’t help but feel that ‘Saindhav’ has untapped potential just waiting to be realized in a future endeavor.
