Sai Dhansika is an actress who won the hearts of Telugu and Tamil audiences by playing Rajinikanth's daughter in the movie 'Kabali'. Her latest Telugu movie 'Dakshina', in which she played the heroine, was released in theaters on October 4, 2024. Directed by Osho Tulasiram and produced by Ashok Shinde under the banner of Cult Concepts, this crime action drama stars Sai Dhansika along with Rishav Basu, Sneha Singh, Ankita Muller, Magna Chowdhury, Karuna, Naveen, Hima Sailaja and others. Veligonda Srinivas provided dialogues for the story written by Soni Raj Sonu, while Ramakrishna Sanapathy provided cinematography, DSR music, and Vinay provided editing. Although the movie did not play much in theaters, it is streaming on Lionsgate Play OTT from February 21, 2025. So, how is this movie? Let's watch the review!
What is the story?
A series of murders of young women are taking place in Visakhapatnam. A psycho brutally murders the kidnapped girls and takes their heads away. ACP Dakshina (Sai Dhansika) steps in to solve the case. As part of the investigation, it is revealed that a woman is seen at every crime scene. After her arrest, a tragic incident in Dakshina's life and a shocking twist related to these murders come to light. Who is this psycho? What is the motive behind his murders? How did Dakshina face her personal tragedy? How did she solve this case? These are the rest of the story of the film.
How is the film?
The first half of the film 'Dakshina' is very captivating as a suspense thriller. The opening scene of the film, the crime sequences set in the backdrop of Vizag, and the introduction of Dakshina's character immediately grip the story. Osho Tulasiram has tried to make the story interesting around the murders. The flashbacks of the southern character and the scenes showing her emotional journey are somewhat connected. Ramakrishna Sanapathi's cinematography, especially the way he shows the Vizag city backdrop, gives the film a good visual appeal. The DSR background score also enhances the thriller mood.
However, the film gets a bit dull in the second half. The scenes where logic is missing in the story and predictable twists reduce the impact of the film. For example, the way an officer like an ACP gets caught in the hands of a psycho so easily, and some emotional scenes go too far, may not connect with the audience. If the screenplay had been tighter, the pace of the film would have been better. The climax is also not that impressive, there is a feeling that something is missing somewhere. Although the concept of a psycho killer is interesting, the director has failed to elevate it properly. The fact that similar stories have been seen in many films in the past is also a minus.
Actors, technical aspects
Sai Dhansika impressed with her performance in the role of Dakshina. Her physical presence in action scenes and natural acting in emotional scenes are a big plus for the film. Her screen presence and dialogue delivery give goosebumps in some scenes. Rishav Basu and Sneha Singh are okay in supporting roles, but their roles do not have much scope. People like Magna Chaudhary, Karuna, and Naveen looked natural in their roles, but their involvement in the story is limited.
Technically, the film is decent. Ramakrishna Sanapathi's cinematography captures the city of Vizag and the crime scenes well. The DSR background score added to the thrill in some scenes, but the songs were not that impressive. Vinay's editing was good in the first half, but some scenes in the second half felt stretched. Ashok Shinde's production values were in line with the story, but the flaws in the screenplay reduced the impact of the film.
Highlights
Sai Dhansika's performance, screen presence
First half, thrill in the opening scene
Vizag backdrop, cinematography
Emotional touch in the flashback episode
Cons
Straightforward, predictable story in the second half
Logic missing scenes, weak climax
Lack of scope for supporting characters
Overly stretched emotional scenes
Who can watch it?
For those who like crime thrillers and action dramas, ‘Dakshina’ can be a decent option. Sai Dhansika fans and those who want to watch suspense stories with an emotional touch can try this movie. However, those who are expecting a new story with a deep screenplay and twists may be disappointed by this movie. With a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes, this movie, which has been released with a U/A certificate, has some violent scenes, so family audiences should watch it carefully.
Rating: 2.25/5
‘Dakshina’ starts as an interesting crime thriller, and Sai Dhansika’s performance and the Vizag backdrop impress in the first half. However, the movie could not create a full impact due to the stretching in the second half, illogical scenes, and a weak climax. Those who want to watch it as a time-pass on OTT can give it a try, but it may not be enough for those who are expecting a gripping thriller.
Streaming: Lionsgate Play (from February 21, 2025)
Release date: October 4, 2024 (theaters)
Cast: Sai Dhansika, Rishav Basu, Sneha Singh, Ankita Muller, Magna Chaudhary
Director: Osho Tulsiram