Saakshyam movie review: Return of the NRI, to kill

Saakshyam
Cast: Bellamkonda Srinivas, Pooja Hegde, Jagapathi Babu, Rao Ramesh, Ravi Kishan, JP, Pavitra Lokesh 
Director: Sriwaas

After a string of small films, Tollywood fans get a big-budget movie starring the upcoming Bellamkonda Sai Srinivas and Pooja Hegde. Saakshyam has been promoted as a story revolving around the five elements, and the trailers were a hit.

The family of a landlord (Sarath Kumar) is massacred in Swastiknagar by a gang of four brothers led by the eldest, Munuswamy (Jagapathi Babu). A baby boy survives and is adopted by a rich NRI family in the USA. The boy grows up to be Vishwa (Bellamkonda Suresh), a videogame designer. He falls in love with Soundaryalahari (Pooja Hegde) who gives religious lectures in a temple in USA. She suddenly leaves for home in Swastiknagar. Vishwa follows her there, after which the Munuswamy brothers are killed one by one. Vishwa’s hand is behind all the killings though he doesn’t know the truth.

Director Sriwaas adds the five elements earth, water, fire, air and space which the protagonist uses to avenge murders in a regular revenge drama, Vishwa doesn’t know why he is killing the goons and the Munuswamys too don’t understand the connection with Vishwa. Sriwaas sprinkles some karma theory as well, man thinks no one is watching what he is doing but the five elements always stand witness.

The director also creates a sub-plot where a creative designer in Vishwa’s company comes up with a game in which the protagonist kills four villains in four levels, taking the help of elements. This is what Vishwa ultimately does but Sriwaas’ execution loses its way with a cliched screenplay.

Bellamkonda Srinivas puts in an improved performance as the rich kid. His role has two shades, the lover boy and the vengeful hero. Pooja Hegde looks beautiful but still has to work on the dialogues and emotions. The director does not delineate her role well, showing her as a religious speaker in one scene and showing her in a different avatar in the next. Jagapathi Babu looks suitably cruel but his role again lacks the punch. Ashutosh Rana and Rav Kishan feature in routine baddie roles. The director dismisses an actor like Rao Ramesh with a short role, which he does gracefully. Vennela Kishore provides a few laughs.

Lyricist Ananth Sriram is apt as the creative designer who designs the game that turns out to be a template for Vishwas’ revenge. Pavitra Lokesh and JP suit their meaty roles as parents. Music is by Harshwardhan Rameshwar is average and most songs have a “mass” touch. His background score is good. Arthur Wilson comes up with grand visuals. The VFX team churns out natural-looking graphics. Dialogues by Burra Sai Madhav are good.

Alas, only if Sriwaaas had concentrated on the screenplay and plot. Look out for Bellamkonda Srinivas, good visuals and action scenes.