Movie Name : Srikakulam Sherlock Holmes
Release Date : December 25, 2024
Cast : Vennela Kishore, Ananya Nagalla, Siya Gowtam, Sneha Gupta, Raviteja Mahadasyam, Prabhaka etc.
Director : Writer Mohan
Music Director : Sunil Kashyap
Telugumopo.com Rating : 2/5
Story:
On May 20, 1991, Rajiv Gandhi visited Visakhapatnam before traveling to Perambudur, where he was tragically assassinated on May 21. On the same evening, a young woman named Pulidandu Mary was brutally murdered on Visakhapatnam Beach. Amid growing pressure, CI Bhaskar (Anish Kuruvilla) vows during a confrontation with journalists to solve the case within a week or resign from his position.
However, with a senior officer arriving to oversee the investigation into Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, Bhaskar delegates the murder case to a private detective, Sherlock Holmes (Vennela Kishore), assigning him the same seven-day deadline. To assist him, Constable Lakshmi (Siya Gowtam) joins as his partner in solving the case.
Sherlock identifies seven potential suspects: Balu (Raviteja Mahadasyam), a telephone booth operator; Bramarambha (Ananya Nagalla), an orphanage worker; a suspended police officer (Prabhakar); a woman named Jhansi; and three fishermen. As Sherlock delves deeper, he unravels clues and interrogates each suspect, piecing together the truth behind Mary’s murder. How did Sherlock solve the mystery? Why did he choose to become a detective? And what was the motive behind the crime? The answers unfold in an intriguing narrative on screen.
Review:
Vennela Kishore showcases his comedic talent effectively, delivering a performance that aligns with the director’s vision, though some scenes come across as slightly over-the-top. Ananya Nagalla shines with her adorable presence and impressive acting skills, while Raviteja Mahadasyam delivers a decent performance. The actress portraying Jhansi truly stands out with her remarkable performance.
Anish Kuruvilla is well-suited for the role of the CI, and senior journalist Nagaraju, Bhadran, and the actress playing Mary handle their roles satisfactorily. However, Siya Gautam, who previously impressed in Neninthe, feels miscast as Constable Lakshmi, as her portrayal lacks the required impact for the role.
Sherlock Holmes of Srikakulam tries to explore the well-worn murder mystery genre but fails to stand out in execution. The story revolves around a murder investigation where suspects are interrogated to piece together the truth. While the concept had potential, the film struggles with pacing, narration, and a lack of engaging suspense.
The first half sets up the mystery reasonably well, focusing on a murder, suspects, and their backstories. However, the second half falters with an unnecessary flashback for Sherlock Holmes’ character that neither adds depth nor connects emotionally. The inclusion of Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination as a backdrop feels like an irrelevant addition, offering little to enhance the narrative. The filmmakers justified this choice by claiming it emphasizes how smaller events are overlooked during major ones, but the story could have progressed smoothly without this element.
Although set in Srikakulam, the film fails to authentically depict the region’s dialect, which undermines its cultural authenticity. The climax is painfully predictable, relying on overused tropes of the genre. The murder motive lacks novelty, and the identity of the culprits becomes obvious early on, robbing the story of its intended suspense.
The film’s comedy element also falls flat, with humor that barely elicits a chuckle. Even serious sequences, such as the interactions between the journalists and police, are unnecessarily turned into comedic moments, leading to a climax that feels absurd rather than satisfying.
Siya Gautam, remembered for her impactful role in Neninthe, is underutilized as a constable in a role that contributes little to the plot. Meanwhile, the portrayal of the assistant detectives’ parents feels overly dramatic and out of place.
Writer-director Mohan strives to weave a suspenseful narrative, focusing on a comedian-turned-detective solving a murder mystery. While Sunil Kashyap’s music lacks a notable impact, his background score effectively enhances the intensity of key scenes. The production values, however, are average and do not leave a lasting impression.
In the end, Sherlock Holmes of Srikakulam struggles to balance comedy and suspense, offering neither effectively. Despite its premise, it fails to engage or leave a lasting impression.
