'Thimmarusu' has arrived at the cinemas today (July 30). As the first major release in the post-second wave scenario, the film has already shown a lot of daring. Producers Srujan Yarabolu and Mahesh S Koneru have ensured a big release both in the Telugu States and overseas (release by Nirvana Cinemas). Let's find out whether the film really works.
Story
Ramachandra (Satyadev Kancharana) digs up the old case of indemnity to be given to the victim of a wrongful sentence. Eight years ago, a cabbie who was also a police informer was killed by an unknown entity. A young man (Ankith Koyya) who had complained to the cops about the accident was framed with fabricated evidence. As Ramachandra learns more and more about the case, he is shocked to find out the modus operandi of those who covered it up. He has to challenge an evil cop (Ajay), a lawyer (Ravi Babu), and a host of other shady characters.
Performances
Billed as Satyadev's potential star vehicle, 'Thimmarusu' allows the actor some space to exhibit his acting chops. He has emerged from the shadow of films like 'Jyothi Lakshmi' and last year's 'UMUR' to unleash the inner 'Bluff Master'-style action hero. His dialogue delivery, however, should have been different for this film.
'Priyanka Jawalkar is boring, while Ankith Koyya of 'Johar' fame totally fits the character of a meek youngster. Ajay is dull, while Ravi Babu is caricaturish. Brahmaji offers some comic relief with his repartees and self-deprecating humour. Harsha Chemudu, Praveen and others have not-so-interesting parts.
Technical aspects
Sricharan Pakala infused life into 'Naandhi', the Allari Naresh-starring courtroom drama, earlier this year. Although 'Thimmarusu' doesn't belong to a similar genre, the nimble composer lends a touch of seriousness to the proceedings with his moody BGM. Appu Prabhakar's cinematography adds a texture to a lot of scenes and the frames look good. Kiran Kumar Manne's art direction is okayish.
Analysis
A remake of the Kannada-language film 'Birbal' (2019), 'Thimmarusu' was packaged as a legal thriller. But, before long, it turns out to be a generic crime thriller where the 'investigator' has no resources but is very smart in cracking the case at hand.
Director Sharan Koppisetty uses the narrative device of telling the same incident from different perspectives. The initial portions already show the incident in unambiguous terms. As such, the first two perspectives almost seem redundant. When the last perspective plays out, it is more about the unravelling of suspense rather than narrating it from someone's vantage point.
Satyadev looks convincing both in the lawyer's attire and as a parallel investigator who does the job of a detective, although he doesn't call himself one. After a point, the mystery starts to seem both contrived and regular.
The climax offers an emotional undercurrent. To an extent, it is an element that delivers some impact. But the run-up to the climax is not tight.
Closing Remarks
With better writing and a tight screenplay, 'Thimmarusu' would have lived up to the potency conveyed by its title. The villainy should have been fearsome. The hero could have seemed vulnerable at least in a few places. All in all, the crime thriller offers little thrills.
