The seasoned actor Victory Venkatesh has recently shifted his focus towards action thrillers, and his latest venture, Saindhav, stands as a testament to this newfound interest. Directed by the talented Sailesh Kolanu, the film has garnered widespread attention, thanks to its intriguing teaser and trailer which have left audiences eagerly anticipating the on-screen thrills.
What adds to the anticipation is the fact that Saindhav marks a significant milestone for Venkatesh, being his remarkable 75th film. As fans and film enthusiasts eagerly await the release, the excitement surrounding this cinematic milestone is palpable.
Sailesh Kolanu, known for his directorial prowess, seems to have crafted a narrative that promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The synergy between Venkatesh's seasoned acting and Sailesh's directorial finesse is expected to deliver a compelling cinematic experience.
As the curtains rise on Saindhav, all eyes are on whether this action thriller will live up to its promising teaser and trailer. Let's delve into the heart of the narrative and discover if Saindhav indeed succeeds in thrilling audiences, making Victory Venkatesh's 75th film a memorable cinematic journey. Saindhav OTT rights have been bagged by Amazon Prime.
Saindhav's narrative revolves around a father's relentless battle to rescue his daughter from the clutches of adversity. Saindhav Koneru (Venkatesh), employed as a crane operator at the bustling port of Chandraprastha in Southern India, enjoys a peaceful existence. However, his world takes a tumultuous turn when he discovers the infiltration of illegal drugs and weapons in the city. Before he can comprehend the gravity of the situation, shocking revelations about his daughter come to light.
As the plot unfolds, the audience is led through a web of interconnected characters, including Manogya (Shradda Srinath), Dr. Renu (Ruhani Sharma), Manas (Arya), Vikas Malik (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), Andrea Jeremiah (Jasmine), Viswamithra (Mukesh Rishi), and the Customs Department Head (Jayaprakash). The enigma surrounding why Saindhav is referred to as SaiKo adds an intriguing layer to the story.
Set against the backdrop of a city grappling with the menace of illegal activities, the film explores the depths to which a father is willing to go to safeguard his daughter. Viewers are taken on a suspenseful journey, uncovering the ties that bind the characters and the motives that drive the narrative forward. The ultimate revelation of Saindhav's journey as SaiKo promises an engaging and gripping experience on screen.
When Venkatesh joined forces with Sailesh Kolanu, acclaimed for the HIT series, anticipation reached a fever pitch. Sailesh Kolanu, known for his gripping investigative thrillers in HIT1 and HIT2, introduced a compelling core premise, aiming to shed light on the treatment of SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) and the staggering cost of the associated vial, priced at a whopping Rs 17 crores. Despite the intriguing subject matter, the execution fell short in terms of the story and screenplay.
While Sailesh skillfully set the stage for an engaging narrative with the introduction of a drug cartel and weapon consignment, the pacing took a downturn thereafter. The entire cast and crew seemed to go through the motions, lacking the twists, thrills, and emotional connections that could have elevated the overall cinematic experience.
Although Venkatesh's role was given due prominence, the flashback sequence failed to receive the elevation it warranted. Other characters were portrayed as half-baked and mere puppets, missing the opportunity for fuller development. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, depicted as a witty and cunning villain, lacked the strong establishment needed for his villainous character. Ultimately, the film concluded in a predictable manner, lacking the element of surprise right from the beginning.
Venkatesh delivered a commendable performance in his role, showcasing a nuanced display of expressions and emotions essential for the character. His adept portrayal demonstrated a suitability for serious action entertainers, highlighted by powerful high-octane stunts and impactful dialogue delivery.
Shraddha Srinath exuded a captivating presence on screen, leaving an indelible impact with her performance. Andrea Jeremiah portrayed her serious role with finesse, while Ruhani Sharma convincingly inhabited the character of a doctor. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, in his Telugu debut with Saindhav, exhibited remarkable versatility, exuding a cool demeanor while subtly unveiling the criminal nuances of his character. Arya, in his pivotal role, delivered a satisfactory performance.
Supporting cast members, including Mukesh Rishi, Jisshu Sen Gupta, and Jayaprakash, contributed effectively to the film by seamlessly blending into their respective roles, enhancing the overall cohesion of the ensemble cast.
Santosh Narayanan, unfortunately, fell short in enhancing the scenes with his background music, adhering to a routine template that lacked the desired impact. On a more positive note, Manikandan's cinematography stood out with its neat and commendable execution. He adeptly captured the night visuals and showcased the city of Chandraprastha with finesse.
However, the editing by BH. Garry left room for improvement. Despite maintaining a crisp runtime, there were instances where the film felt burdened with unnecessary drags. The dialogues, though serviceable, could have benefited from more depth and resonance.
In terms of production values, the film falls within an acceptable range but doesn't particularly stand out. While it's clear that certain aspects contribute positively to the cinematic experience, others, unfortunately, miss the mark, preventing the film from reaching its full potential.
Saindhav, on the whole, falls short of expectations, emerging as a mediocre thriller. Sailesh Kolanu, despite the trust placed in him by Venkatesh for his milestone 75th film, failed to deliver a compelling narrative. Venkatesh, giving his best to carry the film on his shoulders, faced an uphill battle against a lackluster script, uninspiring screenplay, and direction that lacked the necessary momentum. Unfortunately, the pieces failed to come together cohesively, resulting in a disjointed cinematic experience.
Considering the collective shortcomings in script, screenplay, and direction, Cinejosh assigns a rating of 2.25 to Saindhav.