'D for Dopidi' Review: A Barely Tolerable Plot

Cast: Varun Sandesh, Sundeep Kishan, Naveen, Rakesh, Melanie Kannokada, Tanikella Bharani and Deva Katta
Director: Siraj Kalla
Rating: Two and a half stars

Director duo, Raj and DK, who directed Hindi films like 'Shor in the City' and 'Go Goa Gone' have forayed into Tollywood as producers with 'D for Dopidi'. Siraj Kalla, the director of the movie, is a debutante, who chooses a crime comedy to start his innings.

Raju, Vicky, Harish and Bannu (Sundeep Kishan, Varun Sandesh, Naveen and Rakesh, respectively), the four central characters in the film, need money desperately to overcome their problems. Each one has his own story. After having looked into other avenues for a solution, they finally embark upon an ignoble bank robbery. Everything goes according to plan till they enter the bank where they are confronted by another gang of robbers led by Thanikella Bharani. Trouble starts there and things get horribly messed up. What happens next — are they successful in their heist and are able to get rid of their problems finally — forms, predictably enough, the crux of the story.

Director Siraj, in 'D for Dopidi', picks up a rather ordinary and repetitive plot that fizzles out completely after a point. He comes up with many comic scenes to keep the tone light, but only some of them clicked. The first half an hour is devoted to the four central characters’ personal tales of woes that lead them to take the extreme step and the rest of the movie is shot in the bank where all the remaining twists and turns unfold. Without a sound plot to hold things together, the robbery scenes look artificial and amateurish.

Coming to performances, the young actors deserve a pat on their backs for having done a commendable job. Thanikella Bharani has proved himself an experienced actor and stands out in the film. Deva Katta, appearing as police commissioner, turns out to be a surprise package.

The movie has voice-over done by Nani who has also appeared in the promo song that comes at the end of the film. Overall, the film falls short of the grand expectations built up during the promotion phase and Siraj Kalla, has to work harder, if he really wants to make it as a director.