"Hide N Seek," directed by Basireddy Rana and starring Viswanth, is set to captivate audiences with its gripping crime thriller on September 20, 2024. Get ready to be on the edge of your seat as the film unravels a complex web of mystery, suspense, and intrigue, promising an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Hide N Seek story revolves around mysterious murders and the reason behind them and how cops solve them. A wave of suicides grips the city of Kurnool, leaving the local police force, including SI Vaishnavi (Shilpa Manjunath) and her team, baffled. Initially, they dismiss the deaths as tragic incidents, but a series of chilling anonymous messages throws their assumptions into question. The messages declare the "suicides" to be murders, setting the stage for a chilling investigation.
As the police delve deeper into the case, attempting to connect the dots and unravel the truth behind the cryptic messages, they uncover shocking secrets. Their investigation leads them to Shiva (Viswanth), a medical college student with a burning desire to become an army doctor, and his connection to the mysterious string of deaths. The enigmatic Varsha (Rhea Sachdeva) also plays a crucial role in the unfolding events, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation.
The film follows SI Vaishnavi and her team as they navigate the twists and turns of the case, desperately seeking to bring the killer to justice. The stakes are high as the body count rises, and the city of Kurnool is gripped by fear and uncertainty.
Viswanth Duddumpudi delivers a solid performance as the aspiring army doctor, showcasing the character's grief over the loss of his father and brother while conveying his determination to follow his dream. He effortlessly transitions between the complexities of his character, demonstrating a caring nature, passionate love, and a curious inquisitiveness. His nuanced body language and expressions, coupled with his strong dialogue delivery, elevate his performance.
Rhea Sachdeva makes a good impression as Viswanth's love interest, although her role is somewhat limited, restricting her opportunity to fully demonstrate her acting prowess.
Shilpa Manjunath, however, shines in her powerful and meaty role as the SI. She brings a commanding presence to the screen, demonstrating both intensity and emotional depth with her expressive body language and impactful emotions. Her versatility is evident as she seamlessly shifts between different emotions, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
The supporting cast, including Sridhar Reddy, Sumanth, Tejaswi, Kasvi, Sakshi Siva, Raghavendra, Sainath Garimella, Ravi Raj, and Rohit Addanki, effectively contribute to the film, each delivering strong and convincing performances within their respective roles.
Basi Reddy Rana's directorial debut, "Hide N Seek," takes on the crime thriller genre with an ambitious and intriguing premise. The film's first half is particularly engaging, thanks to its racy screenplay and compelling narration that keeps viewers hooked. The intriguing investigation details and the cops' pursuit of the case, although presented with a slight air of silliness, add to the initial excitement.
However, the film falters in its second half. While the director attempted to raise the stakes by exploring the darknet's use of gaming apps to create terror, the execution falls short, feeling contrived and lacking in logic. The repetition of scenes and a predictable climax further hinder the film's momentum, leaving the audience feeling disappointed.
Despite the shortcomings, "Hide N Seek" boasts some strong technical elements. The background score by Lijo K Jose is impactful and adds intensity to the scenes, though it occasionally becomes overly loud and repetitive. Chinna Raam's cinematography skillfully captures the atmosphere and environment, immersing the viewer in the story. The editing by Amar Reddy Kudumula is commendable in the first half but suffers in the second, mirroring the film's overall decline. The dialogue is well-written, and the production values are commendable.
Ultimately, "Hide N Seek" is a mixed bag. While the initial premise and execution of the first half are commendable, the film fails to maintain its momentum and ultimately disappoints with its uninspired second half and predictable conclusion.
Altogether, Hide N Seek turns out to be another run of the mill crime thriller. Basi Reddy Rana's directorial debut, "Hide N Seek," attempted a unique approach with a thriller genre and an intriguing opening narration. However, the film unfortunately lost momentum midway through, ultimately falling short of its potential. While the initial premise held promise, a lack of polish in the script and storyline hindered the film's overall effectiveness. With some fine-tuning and a tighter narrative structure, "Hide N Seek" could have been a more engaging experience. Despite its initial promise, Cinejosh awards a 1.5 rating for the film, acknowledging its flaws and the missed opportunities.