Movie Name : Dakshina
Release Date : October 04, 2024
Cast : Sai Dhanshika, Rishav Basu, Sneha Singh, Ankita Muler, Naveen, Karuna, Hima Sailaja, Magna Choudhary etc.
Director : Osho Tulasiram
Music Director : Balaji
Andhrawatch.com Rating : 1/5
Story:
Dakshina (Sai Dhanshika) works as an ACP. However, a series of serial killings are happening in the city. A psycho targets certain women, brutally murders them, and separates their heads from their bodies. He then places the heads in a bag and takes them away. To investigate this case, Sai Dhanshika steps in. As part of the investigation, she holds a press meet to inform the public about the findings. During the press conference, she says, “The psycho is brutally killing women but isn’t raping them, maybe because he is impotent.”
This comment hurts the psycho’s ego. One day, he comes to Dakshina’s house, drugs her, rapes her, and records the act, then leaks the video to the media. As a result, Dakshina becomes mentally devastated, resigns from her job, and becomes addicted to cigarettes and alcohol.
But who is this psycho? Why is he beheading women and taking their heads with him? What is his past? This forms the rest of the story.
Review:
Sai Dhanshika gives a powerful performance in the lead role, blending her physical strength with emotional intensity, particularly in the crime-driven scenes. She captivates the audience with her impressive portrayal, especially in pivotal moments that demand emotional depth. Rishav Basu also delivers an excellent performance in a key role, with his standout act in the climax being one of the film’s major highlights.
The flashback related to Dakshina’s character is executed smoothly, giving her role added depth. Director Osho Thulasiram expertly steers the film through multiple angles surrounding the murders, successfully keeping the audience intrigued at various points.
The supporting cast, featuring Subhash and Anand Bharathi, fits naturally into their roles, enhancing the film’s narrative.
While Dakshina presents an intriguing crime drama, some segments unfold in a predictable manner. Many scenes in the first half feel prolonged and fail to engage the audience, and the screenplay could have been more robust. Additionally, certain unnecessary lagging scenes hinder the film’s pacing. Overall, it suffers from a sluggish narrative, uninspired treatment, and implausible emotional depictions, which diminish its overall effectiveness.
The film is built around this crucial question, which needed a more in-depth and thorough establishment to be effective. Aside from a few significant scenes and the interval sequence, the first half does not generate enough intrigue. While the director tried to add emotional depth in the second half, the portrayal of these emotions ultimately did not meet expectations.
Additionally, inconsequential emotional moments and inadequately constructed scenes impede the film’s pacing. In the end, although the filmmakers of Dakshina strive to enhance the intended themes, some scenes fail to resonate as intended. The climax, in particular, lacks a memorable impact.
From a technical viewpoint, director Osho Thulasiram fails to deliver a captivating treatment that aligns with the expectations of a crime thriller. Balaji’s music is adequate, and the background score enhances the narrative. However, the production values are impressive.
In summary, Dakshina is an emotional crime mystery drama that ultimately does not make a strong impact. Although the lead character, some of the crime scenes, and the opening sequence are well-crafted, the sluggish pacing, absence of engaging moments in the first half, and logical inconsistencies in crucial scenes detract from its effectiveness. It might be wiser to bypass this film and explore other entertainment options instead.