Saindhav Review: Venkatesh Daggubati’s eagerly awaited 75th cinematic venture, Saindhav, directed by Sailesh Kolanu, known for the HIT series, marks a significant addition to the grand Sankranti film lineup as the third major release. This riveting story combines elements of crime and deep emotion in a grand narrative. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Nawazuddin Siddiqui in his Telugu debut, alongside Shraddha Srinath, Andrea Jeremiah, Arya, and Ruhani Sharma in key roles.
Venkatesh, having tasted success in mature roles in the OTT series Rana Naidu, and big-screen ventures Drushyam and Narappa, ventures into territory akin to that of Denzel Washington and Liam Neeson, portraying a dynamic character filled with action and emotion. He delivers a commendable performance as a single parent protecting and caring for his daughter. However, it’s his portrayal of the enigmatic Saiko where he truly excels.
The first half of the film establishes the locale of Chandraprastha and the lives of Saindhav, his daughter Gayathri, and their neighbour Manogya. Saindhav lives a peaceful life as a crane operator in the port, overseen by customs officer Murthy. While there are engaging elements, the narrative isn’t consistently captivating. The plot and characters could have been better developed to suit the excitement and thrill expected from an action-packed drama. The film gains momentum towards the interval, where Sailesh heightens the tension, elevating the phenomenon of Saiko with people literally having heart attacks upon hearing the name. The second half delves deeper into Saindhav’s mysterious past and the dynamics within the cartel he confronts.
In his Tollywood debut, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, as Vikas Malik, captivates with his body language and bilingual dialogues. His portrayal of a ruthless gangster infatuated with Jasmine adds depth and entertainment to the film. Other cast members, including Arya as Manas, Shraddha Srinath as Manogya, Ruhani Sharma as Dr Renu, Andrea Jeremiah as Jasmine, Jisshu Sengupta as Michael, Mukesh Rishi as Mithra, and Jayaprakash as Murthy, deliver decent performances.
The music and background score by Santhosh Narayanan are decent, with a score that transforms into exhilarating rock anthems during action sequences. The cinematography by Manikandan, editing by Garry BH, and art direction by Kolla Avinash contribute to the film’s high production values. However, the action choreography leaves room for improvement.
Overall, Saindhav is an intriguing attempt at blending emotional depth with action, but its execution doesn’t consistently hit the mark. It has engaging moments, and serves as a testament to the evolving nature of Telugu cinema, where traditional storytelling is being melded with contemporary cinematic sensibilities.