“Zebra” Telugu Movie Review

Movie Name : Zebra

Story:

Surya (Satyadev), a regular employee in Bank of Trust, and works while being in love with Swathi (Priya Bhavani Shankar) working at some other bank. Their life takes an interesting turn when Swathi commits a costly mistake by transferring a large amount of money to the wrong account. To save her, Surya makes use of his knowledge about the banking system to rectify the error by using a clever loophole.

However, everything quickly goes awry when the case gets entangled with a notorious gangster, Adhi (Dhananjaya), which leads Surya into a deadly mess. As Surya becomes handcuffed in a world of crime and corruption, who is this powerful Adhi and how will he come out of this alarming situation, and will he ever survive the deadly threat? The story unwinds itself through an action-packed suspenseful narrative that keeps the audience at the edge of their seat.

Review:

Satyadev delivers one of his best performances in this film, showcasing his versatility by effortlessly switching between comedy, romance, action, and emotional depth. He truly holds the film together, carrying it on his strong shoulders. Priya Bhavani Shankar shines in the role of Swathi, impressing with her screen presence and excelling in both the fun and serious moments.

Comedian Satya adds a perfect mix of humor and suspense, especially in the second half. His scenes during the robbery sequence and his comedic interactions with Jeniffer Piccinato at the bank are standout moments that bring energy to the film.

However, Daali Dhananjaya, though decent as the antagonist, doesn’t quite bring the intensity needed for his role. His character lacks the weight that a villain should have, and the slow-motion shots intended to build tension feel unnecessary. Similarly, Sunil and Sathyaraj’s roles are underwhelming, with Sunil struggling to find the right balance between comedy and villainy.

Supporting cast members like Suresh Chandra Menon as the bank head, along with Jeniffer Piccinato and Ravin Makhija as other employees seeking revenge, fail to make a significant impact. Their performances feel forced, leaving the scenes lacking authenticity. Lastly, Amrutha Iyenkar’s role as Dhananjaya’s love interest is underused, with her presence mostly limited to a romantic song that doesn’t add much to the plot.

The film begins with a solid introduction to the characters, and the initial bank error is resolved in an engaging and thrilling manner. As the plot unfolds, the issue snowballs into something much more dangerous, maintaining the audience’s interest. The interval builds curiosity, leaving viewers eager for the next developments. However, the second half loses momentum with prolonged and sometimes repetitive scenes. While the robbery portions do add some excitement, the climax ties everything together, providing an explanation for the heist, which redeems the lengthy second half to some extent.

The screenplay, while intriguing at first, becomes overly complex and convoluted as the film progresses. The excessive runtime, unnecessary subplots, and surplus of songs hinder the pacing. The technical aspects of the narrative also make it harder to follow, particularly in the latter half, making it feel disjointed and confusing.

Director Eashvar Karthic’s presentation is commendable, but the narrative structure could have been more streamlined. A simpler approach with fewer subplots and a tighter runtime would have made for a more cohesive and memorable film.

Ravi Basrur’s music does not leave much impact either songs and background score fail to uplift the movie at its crucial points, through which it misses an opportunity to heighten the tension and emotional depth of the movie.

Zebra is a crime thriller with a mix of comedy, revolving around a bank fraud. Satyadev’s powerful performance anchors the film, but the complicated screenplay and prolonged runtime hinder its flow. Despite this, the film’s intriguing twists and fresh premise keep it engaging, making it an overall decent watch.