movie review dasara

Dasara Review: A De-Glammed Nani Makes Film A High-Voltage Affair

Dasara review: even in the most melodramatic of moments, keerthy suresh retains control of her faculties and the scene..

Nani and Keerthy Suresh in Dasara . (courtesy: nameisnani

Cast: Nani, Keerthy Suresh, Dheekshith Shetty, Shine Tom Chacko and Samuthirakani

Director: Srikanth Odela

Rating : Three stars (out of 5)

Popular movies often fall prey to the second half curse. The power-packed and engaging Dasara , directed and co-written by first-timer Srikanth Odela, does not. It treats its first half essentially as a springboard for a successful post-interval leap to a meaningfully higher plane. And that is where the film stays perched all the way to an impressively executed finale.

Other significant attributes set the Telugu-language film apart from blockbusters like Baahubali and Pushpa . Its exploration of entrenched caste dynamics, bitter political rivalries and debilitating social ills in a coal mining village in Telangana pushes it closer to Tamil films from the Pa. Ranjith, Vetrimaaran and Mari Selvaraj stables.

Dasara remains steadfastly within the parameters of mass-oriented cinema and employs familiar Ramayan -centric analogies to carry the story forward. It still manages to break free at crucial junctures from its stylistic inspirations to dress an old, even perhaps trite, construct in fresh, eye-catching attire.

Dasara is a rustic love story-cum-bromance dovetailed into a revenge drama with a strong emotional underpinning. The composite is presented with a directorial vision that suggests that Odela could, and should, produce works of greater originality and distinction. This film testifies to his skill - and the vision - to tap massy, easy to grasp methods to tell important stories.

The denuded landscape reflects the state of the lives that Dasara depicts. The film is set in Veerlapally village, a speck on the map. It is a place that swarms with men who drink themselves silly and the women bear the brunt of their unruliness. At the centre of the village is a bar - it is named after Silk Smitha - that is out of bounds for all but upper caste drunks.

The narrative straddles a decade and a half from mid-1995, the final year of NT Rama Rao's third term as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, to 2010. The film's two principal male characters - Dharani (Nani) and Soori (Deekshith Shetty) - pilfer coal from running goods trains when they are not sloshed.

They are in love with the same girl, Vennela (Keerthi Suresh). The three have been friends since childhood. The altruistic Nani, who is meek-natured and believes in staying off confrontations, steps back and lets his best friend profess his love to the girl.

Several years on, the love triangle is aggravated by unseemly power politics between Rajanna (Saikumar) and Shivanna (Samuthirakarani), two half-brothers at war for control of the village and the bar. The latter has a son, Nambi (Shine Tom Jacob), whose aggression triggers a tragedy at the film's halfway mark.

A blood-curdling act of violence throws Dharani's life into disarray. He is a cowering mess until he gathers the courage to plan a retaliation. The timid, responsibility-shirking man is forced to make a choice between being resigned to his fate and taking a stand.

The first half, expended on creating a context for what is follow, takes its own time to pick up momentum. Parts of it meander a tad and even feel somewhat wayward. But the turning point just ahead of the interval gives the deliberate and staccato pace a rationale.

The troubles that confront Dharani, whose name means Earth, Soori (meaning Sun) and Vennela (alluding to the Moon) are caused by one man. The villain's motives are hackneyed and the threats that he makes spring from the power that he wields on account of his political and caste clout.

One wishes Dasara had pushed the caste divide envelope a little further and also stressed upon the relationship between the three main characters with some more clarity in terms of its wider societal implications. Is it possible that Dharani's suppression of his love for Vennela has something to do with where he stands in the caste hierarchy? The film does not raise that question, let alone devote a minute or two to answer it.

Another point at which Dasara slips up a touch is in the manner in which the key female character is deprived of agency when it comes to deciding her own future? Dasara makes amends of sorts when the woman demands an explanation why her consent wasn't sought before a life-altering choice was made on her behalf. The man spells out why he did what he did. While his defence of his action isn't entirely convincing, his apology is.

In the matter of plotting and pacing, Dasara isn't perfect, but Sathyan Sooryan's lensing and lighting and Santhosh Narayanan's lush and phenomenally effective musical score are both of the highest order. The latter lends the film a propulsive rhythm with its blend of the earthy and the electronic.

Sooryan's camerawork creates a palette that alternates between the inky and the auburn and is skilfully illuminated by the muted glow of non-electrical sources of light.

A de-glammed Nani makes Dasara a high-voltage affair. The screenplay and his own acumen allow him to ease himself into the character arc and capture the man's evolution from a feckless, evasive youth to a man of action after fifteen Dasara celebrations have come and gone with him letting his life drift aimlessly.

Dasara also gives Keerthy Suresh a wide range of emotions to convey. Even in the most melodramatic of moments, she retains control of her faculties and the scene. Deekshith Shetty operates within a more limited bandwidth but makes a lasting impression. On the flip side, the force of evil that Shine Tom Chacko embodies does not convey the requisite menace.

The rousing climax is invested with great power in term of of both visualisation and execution. The weapons used in the final act as well as earlier in the film tell their own story. To begin with, the villain's henchmen wield sharp scythes and sickles, which are farming appliances-turned-arms.

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In the violent climactic clash culminates in tree-cutting axes, digging shovels and rock-breaking hammers making an appearance - a not-so-subliminal metaphor for a once agricultural community that has been forced into mining as a way of life.

A few wobbles notwithstanding, Dasara is a triumph because it achieves a delicate balance between the flashy and the essential and, in the process, delivers a piece of highly dramatic fiction that frequently seems to have emerged from the real world.

Why 'Nani Ke Ghar Ka Khaana' Is So Delicious and Will Always Be

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Dasara movie review: Nani film is a familiar but riveting tale of friendship and revenge

Dasara movie review: while the nani-starrer uses every trick in the book, it succeeds in sucking you into a world you haven’t experienced before..

Nani’s Dasara, like its recent counterparts like Rangasthalam (2018) and Narappa (2021), is a very familiar tale about the ugly side of caste politics. The familiarity also seeps into the fashion in which it narrates a tale of friendship and revenge. Nevertheless, the film still manages to leave you in awe, thanks to the world it’s set in and how debutant Odella Srikanth presents it. It’s deeply rooted setting and how Srikanth manages to transport the viewer to a never seen before milieu of coal-laden hamlet that really works in the film’s favour.

Nani plays a man named Dharani, whose life revolves around his friends.

The story is set in a small village called Veerlapalli, which is surrounded by coal mines. Nani plays Dharani, whose life revolves around his best friend Suri (Dheekshith) and his gang of friends. In their introduction sequence, we see the gang pull off a daredevil stunt by stealing coal from a moving train. In this village, drinking is a tradition, a way of life and the local bar is a place where all the men conglomerate to waste time. The bar, which is reserved for the upper caste men, is the place where power as well caste dynamics come into play.

Men from the lower caste drink outside and wouldn’t dare to set foot inside. When Suri and Dharani unknowingly become responsible for a shift in the power dynamics involving the bar, they cross paths with men – Samuthirakani and Shine Tom Chacko - from the most powerful family in the village. The repercussions that both Suri and Dharani have to face for their actions forms the crux of the story.

Dasara pretty much uses every trick that’s been used before when it comes to such stories. However, it still manages to leave a strong impact because of how it succeeds in sucking you into a world you haven’t experienced before. Veerlapalli is carefully built with characters that are full of life. Unlike Pushpa or KGF, this isn’t a story that rides on the hero’s bravado.

In fact, for a good 60-70 percent of the film, Nani plays a character that’s mostly scared out of his wits and he takes solace in alcohol to swallow his fear. Throughout the first half, Nani can be actually seen standing behind Suri. When the transformation happens at a crucial juncture of the film, Srikanth has spent a great deal of time in building Nani’s character. Hence, when his moment of uprising comes, we buy into the transformation.

Dasara does try and get massy towards the end. But the predictability doesn’t come across as a major grouse as the slow world-building really helps in keeping the viewer invested right till the end. Two of the film’s best moments come in the form of extremely well-choreographed action set pieces right before the interval and during the finale portion.

The interval action sequence is so well shot that it infuses a deep sense of shock and fear in the viewer, pushing one to the edge of their seat. Nani turns in such a believable performance and he sells his quest for revenge so convincingly. Keerthy Suresh once again proves why she’s one of the best mainstream actresses we have today with her effortless performance. Sathyan Sooryan’s visuals play a pivotal role in making Dasara not just eye-catchy but highly immersive in every frame.

Film: Dasara

Director: Odella Srikanth

Cast: Nani, Dheekshith Shetty, Keerthy Suresh, Shine Tom Chacko, Samuthirakani and Sai Kumar

Keerthy Suresh
Movie Review

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Dasara Reviews

Srikanth Odela makes an assured directorial debut with the Telugu film, exploring caste politics in a mainstream format, backed by good performances from the cast led by Nani and Keerthy Suresh.

Full Review | Sep 12, 2023

Dasara is worth watching and showcased technical and performance brilliance at certain moments, but it lacked a crucial element – building emotion and drama. Relying heavily on slow-mo action scenes was not enough to carry the entire film.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 26, 2023

Dasara uses a lot of familiar techiques in over-the-top action movies about love triangles and vengeful family members. However, the acting performances are better than most movies in this genre. The movie's story also maintains suspense and intrigue.

Full Review | Apr 5, 2023

While the Nani-starrer uses every trick in the book, it succeeds in sucking you into a world you haven’t experienced before.

Full Review | Apr 3, 2023

For all its fury, the film isn’t sure where to derive its emotional force from.

Dasara is not the film that leaves you with a smile at the end of it all, it also doesn’t reinvent the wheel. Could it have been better? Sure. But Srikanth Odela and Nani make this slow burn work. So, credit where credit is due.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 3, 2023

Even in the most melodramatic of moments, Keerthy Suresh retains control of her faculties and the scene.

Dasara (2023)

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Dasara Movie Review: Fiery Nani is brilliant in this predictable revenge drama

Director srikanth odela’s dasara, starring nani, keerthy suresh and deekshit shetty, is a visually stunning revenge drama. with some clichés, dasara has its heart in the right place, says our review..

Listen to Story

Nani's Dasara graced the screens on March 30.
The film is directed by Sirkanth Odela.
Keerthy Suresh, Deekshit Shetty, Shine Tom Chacko and Samuthirakani play pivotal roles.

Release Date: 30 Mar, 2023

Nani has been everywhere for the past few weeks. Be it promotional events or social media, he went all out in promoting Dasara as a pan-Indian venture. When the trailer of Dasara dropped, many felt that it reminded them of Pushpa and KGF. However, Dasara was neither Pushpa nor it was KGF. It had Srikanth Odela’s stamp despite the predictable storyline.

Dharani (Nani), Suri (Deekshit Shetty) and Vennela (Keerthy Suresh) are childhood friends. They hail from a village called Veerapally, where men take the bottle. Their alcoholism affects the women in their lives. Dharani and Suri are best friends. So much so that Dharani will give up his love for Vennela, who is in love with Suri. As Suri and Vennela take their relationship to the next level, it does not go down well with Chinna Nambi (Shine Tom Chacko). The village, where coal mining is a way of life, is divided because of Rajanna (Sai Kumar) and Shivanna (Samuthirakani).

Srikanth Odela is a debutant filmmaker, but he is a promising talent. With Dasara, he has built a semi-fictional world and has successfully transported us to the village of Veerapally. He shows Dharani as a vulnerable underdog. For a hero, he cries on screen, has no bladder control and shakes up in fear when trouble knocks on the door. In contrast, Suri, his friend, is his strength. While Dharani is naïve, Suri is practical. Meanwhile, there’s a feisty Vennela, who is a breath of fresh air.

Dasara is a film that relies on its drama. Srikanth Odela is in no hurry to dive into the story the right way. In fact, it looks like he knew he had a predictable storyline in hand and decided to build a world around it so he could create an immersive experience for everyone. Dasara has so many layers. The film talks about women and how they are exploited, rampant caste politics and superstition.

While the world-building, and characterisations of the lead roles and music make Dasara enjoyable, certain tropes hold the viewers back from completely enjoying this brilliantly shot revenge drama. In a scene, Dharani takes a decision which affects Vennela’s life. However, Dasara has another scene where Vennela questions whether she has a say in her life because she was never asked! And the hyper-masculine hero apologises.

The power dynamics in the village of Veerapally keep you hooked. However, some of the initial stretches of Dasara could test your patience. Nani’s Dharani holds back for the most part of the film, while Deekshit as Suri takes the cake. It is probably because of this that the interval sequence leaves you in a state of shock.

Nani is the soul of Dasara. From expressing his vulnerabilities to crying his heart out and emoting in silence, he has given his career-best performance. Keerthy, too, has a meaty role in the film. It is actually Suri who stole the show with his effortless acting.

Something that Srikanth Odela could have worked on is the characterisation of the villain, Shine Tom Chacko. It treads on a wafer-thin line and after a point, it does not create an impact.

Santhosh Narayanan’s music and Sathyan Sooryan’s visuals make Dasara what it is. The film could remind you of Dhanush’s Asuran and Rishab Shetty’s Kantara. While the film deals with a predictable story, it does have enough meat to hold onto its own.

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తెలుగు

Dasara Movie Review: Raw and Rustic

Movie: Dasara Rating: 2.75/5 Banner: Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Cinemas Cast: Nani, Keerthy Suresh, Dheekshith Shetty, Samuthirakani, Shine Tom Chacko, Sai Kumar, Poorna and others Dialogues: Thota Srinivas Music: Santhosh Narayanan Director of Photography: Sathyan Sooryan Editor: Navin Nooli Production Designer: Avinash Kolla Stunts: Real Satish, Anbariv Producer: Sudhakar Cherukuri Written and Direction: Srikanth Odela Release Date: March 30, 2023

Nani had never spoken so confidently about a film or toured across India to promote it before 'Dasara.' The film has received a lot of attention in recent weeks. Nani's promotion of the film gave the impression that it would be a major milestone. Is it really that good?

Let us look into it.

Story: Set in the 1990s in a village called Veerlapally in the Singareni coal mine area, the film begins with the story of three childhood friends, Dharani (Nani), Soori (Deekshith Shetty), and Vennela (Keerthy Suresh).

The villagers are always drinking and spend most of their time at Silk bar. Local politics between Rajanna (Saikumar), Shivanna(Samuthirakani) and the latter's son Chinna Nambi (Shine Tom Chacko) threaten to disrupt their lives.

What effect does a political leader's game plan have on the lives of the three friends?

Artistes’ Performances: For this film, Nani reinvented himself. He played a rustic character for the first time, which was unlike any of his previous roles. He sinks into the role and delivers an amazing outcome. The effort he has put in for the role is evident throughout, and he is the film's main pillar.

The award-winning actress Keerthy Suresh delivers another believable performance in the author-backed role. She is the central character around whom the plot revolves.

Deekshith Shetty, who plays the hero's friend, gives an effective performance. Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko has also given a good performance. There are many actors, but none of them receive adequate recognition.

Technical Excellence: The film's cinematography is the first thing that stands out because the film is entirely set in a coal mine. The dark color palette of the color scheme works so well with Sooryan's imaginative camera work.

The music by Santosh Narayanan yields mixed results. The production design is flawless, and the production values are excellent. The dialogues are neat.

Highlights: Nani’s performances Keerthy Suresh Interval bang Villain reveal scene

Drawback: Slow pace Predictable sequences Loses the steam at many places

Analysis "Dasara" makes its intentions clear from the start, with the hero entering the scene in a coal mine area and his friend assisting him. The scene establishes the story's theme of friendship, and gradually introduces the lives of the two friends, as well as the villagers addicted to alcohol in the coal mine area. It is also quickly established that the two friends are in love with the same girl, Keerthy Suresh. So, the first sections are predictable and move at a slow pace.

However, the film is more about creating atmosphere and focusing on characters than it is about plot. The design of the hero's character is impressive. He's timid and only gains courage when he consumes alcohol. And when he drinks, he loses control and can do whatever he wants. This characteristic trait of the protagonist is used so effectively in the later portions of the film, including the interval twist.

Additionally, there are cultural and social references that are properly established, such as women in Telangana performing Bhatukamma during the Dasara festival and Ravana's effigy being burnt on the festival day. The director effectively employs these cultural aspects in his storytelling.

If we take these elements out of the film, it becomes more or less a typical revenge drama. Srikanth Odela, the new director, has prioritized mood and visual palette over story.

The film's biggest surprise is the interval bang. The pre-interval chase sequence and the intermission bang are handled expertly, revealing the villain's true intentions at the start of the second half. As a consequence, the remainder becomes more predictable, and many sequences are bland. The running time is also too long, and the film definitely needs sharp editing.

Furthermore, the film, whether intentionally or unintentionally, attempts to follow the template of "Rangasthalam," but lacks the gripping screenplay that the Sukumar movie had. Caste politics are also mentioned in the film, but they are not properly established.

Additionally, the period (probably set in the 1990s) is shown as if it happened in the 60's or 70's, even though most villages had more modern facilities by the 1990s, even in remote coal mine areas.

Overall, "Dasara" is a regular revenge drama that relies more on visual style and grand making than the plot. It is watchable because of its ambition and Nani’s performance.

Bottom line: DasaRAW

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Tags: Dasara Dasara Review Dasara Movie Review Dasara Rating Dasara Telugu Movie Review Dasara Movie Rating Dasara Telugu Movie Rating

Dasara Movie Review (2023)

30 Mar 2023

Srikanth Odela's 'Dasara' is a solid, subdued star vehicle that favours emotions over "mass" moments

Dasara Movie Cast & Crew

"Everyone drinks the same alcohol, but our caste determines whether we drink inside the bar or outside." This is something we get to know early on about the situation in the village Srikanth Odela's film is set in. Most men (and even some women) begin their day with drinks and are content to remain alcoholics. Even Nani's hero-introduction shot (he plays Dharani) includes a bottle of booze. And this bar, with an image of Silk Smitha and named after her, is the centre of local politics: it's a sort of prize. The person who wins the elections takes control of the bar, and gets to nominate who becomes the treasurer. That post makes someone a big shot in the village. For a while, Dasara just wants to immerse us in these local politics, these local colours, these local flavours. We get character-establishing scenes, of course – but we also get world-establishing scenes, magnificently shot by Sathyan Sooryan. A coal mine is the centre of economy, and every frame seems dusted with soot.

Why do these people drink? When a young Dharani asks his grandmother, she says alcohol gives her courage. Cut to a few years later, when Dharani is an adult, he may give the same answer. By numbing his senses, he gets the courage to deal with his dead-end existence and also the fact that the girl he loves (Vennela, played by Keerthi Suresh) is in love with his best friend Soori (Dheekshith Shetty). All three actors are in top form, though Nani gets the meatiest role and bites into it with every fibre of his being, giving a performance that is as much physical as emotional. The film does something interesting with Vennela. She becomes the fulcrum of not just a love triangle but also an unexpected lust angle, courtesy the villain named Nambi (Shine Tom Chacko, in one of the rare times he feels out of sorts). When – in a super-effective scene – Nambi kills Soori, we think it's because of the caste wars. But the real reason is that Soori has married Vennela, who Nambi lusts after.

This is a superb twist, because it paints Nambi (and the screenplay) in more than one shade, and it takes the second half in an unexpected direction. Nambi is not just someone who does not want the oppressed to get ahead, he's also a womaniser whose lust is painted in fetishistic terms. So the film's first half tackles the alcohol and caste angle, and the second half goes into Vennala's plight and how responsibility makes Dharani a better man (i.e., how he turns from zero to hero). He knows that he can no longer numb his senses with alcohol. He needs to be alert, alive. He needs to complete the transformation from loser to saviour. The depiction of the villain as Ravana (see the film's title) is an age-old screenwriting cliche, but here, there's a "Sita" in the form of Vennela. The metaphor works. The plot point of a love triangle that involves two best friends is another cliche, but it's written and handled well – with minimal melodrama. This is assured writing, assured filmmaking.

A plot point most famously used in Swathi Muthyam is used brilliantly here – and Santhosh Narayanan does beautiful work, subverting a lot of background-score cliches. For instance, during a chase sequence, we just get a few minimalistic cello lines, while most of the background is filled with thunder and lightning and the cries and the panting of the attackers and the people being attacked. Dasara is not groundbreaking cinema, but it has a certain integrity to it. It takes time to build scenes, to set up the reveals. There may not be many "mass" highs, but there's a sense of steadiness in the emotional graphs and in the narrative. Anyone who has seen a masala movie knows that the hero will kill the villain, but Dasara makes the hero earn this machismo. Dharani undergoes a lot of mental trauma, and he has to shake this off before becoming the inevitable superhero. This is one of the most subdued star vehicles I have seen.

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Baradwaj Rangan

National Award-winning film critic Baradwaj Rangan, former deputy editor of The Hindu and senior editor of Film Companion, has carved a niche for himself over the years as a powerful voice in cinema, especially the Tamil film industry, with his reviews of films. While he was pursuing his chemical engineering degree, he was fascinated with the writing and analysis of world cinema by American critics. Baradwaj completed his Master’s degree in Advertising and Public Relations through scholarship. His first review was for the Hindi film Dum, published on January 30, 2003, in the Madras Plus supplement of The Economic Times. He then started critiquing Tamil films in 2014 and did a review on the film Subramaniapuram, while also debuting as a writer in the unreleased rom-com Kadhal 2 Kalyanam. Furthermore, Baradwaj has authored two books - Conversations with Mani Ratnam, 2012, and A Journey Through Indian Cinema, 2014. In 2017, he joined Film Companion South and continued to show his prowess in critiquing for the next five years garnering a wide viewership and a fan following of his own before announcing to be a part of Galatta Media in March 2022.

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'Dasara' first review out: Nani, Keerthy Suresh starrer is a paisa vasool mass entertainer, says UAE-based film critic

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Dasara Movie Review – Raw, Rustic And Nani’s Rampage

Article by Suman M Published by GulteDesk --> Published on: 3:54 am, 30 March 2023

2 Hr 32 Min | Action - Thriller | 30-03-2023

Cast - Nani, Keerthy Suresh, Deekshith Shetty, Sai Kumar, Shine Tom Chacko, Samuthirakani, Poorna and others

Director - Srikanth Odela

Producer - Sudhakar Cherukuri

Banner - Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Cinemas

Music - Santhosh Narayanan

Natural Star Nani is coming with Dasara in a new rugged look in a raw and rustic backdrop. In the direction of newcomer Srikanth Odela, the talented actor seemed very confident in the output. The trailer raised curiosity all over. The movie was released in theaters today and here is the review from the US premieres.

What Is It About?

A village in coalmine backdrop, Veerlapalli is in the clutch of politics and alcohol addiction of villagers. Dharani (Nani) and Suri (Deekshith Shetty) are childhood friends. Dharani falls in love with Vennela (Keerthy Suresh), but she loves Suri. The focus shifts toward Dharani and Suri after the politics between big heads involve them coincidentally. Dharani gets a shock of his life amid many twists. What happened to him and how does he fight back? This forms the story of Dasara.

Performances

Nani is one gem of an actor and proved it umpteen times. In Dasara, Nani reinvented himself and we see only Dharani from beginning to end. Undoubtedly Dasara remains Nani’s best performance so far. From the accent and appearance to emotional scenes and action sequences, Nani excelled in each and every frame. There are many highlight scenes of Nani where he snatches the show with his onscreen brilliance. Keerthy Suresh’s acting prowess could be seen alongside the scenes with Nani. Deekshith Shetty gives an on-par show with Nani and his terrific presence makes quite an impression. The leading trio’s performances are that pushes Dasara to the next level.

In other actors, Sai Kumar and Samthurakani get very limited roles and they did fine. The friends’ gang of Dharani is good. Shine Tom Chacko looked ordinary and could have been more vivid and striking.

Technicalities

We have seen many films with rustic backgrounds and raw characters. Dasara is not just one of them but also a technically remarkable and superior one. The cinematography is top-notch. From the frames where we see the roads around the quarry to the sunset shots, the inland feel is so well maintained to level with the narrative. The dark-lit mood stays throughout the movie and that tone also sets the premise. The background music is excellent and it raises the graph during the action sequences. The screenplay is good. Chamkeela Angeelesi song is impressive in every bit.

Nani Cinematography Action Scenes Interval & Climax Background music

Thumbs Down

Villain Slow narration in some parts Straightforward story

Nani did not just act so well for Dasara but also promoted it like never before. He had been telling that he instantly liked the narration and went ahead with it. Dasara is pretty much a straightforward story with fewer twists and more emotions. Nani along with Keerthy Suresh and Deekshith Shetty managed to keep it high with their exceptional performances.

The first half of the movie builds the premise with more of the friendship between Nani and Dharani. The pace falls down most of the time in the first half until the pre-interval. The story keeps moving but there are places where it gives the dragged feel. The pre-interval block twist is a surprise and that particular shot is sure to leave an impact. The engaging graph that falls with the love failure song comes back to form with the chase and the killings before the interval. The interval block sets the right arena for the second half.

The audience in the US could have the real raw feeling intended due to the lack of censor cuts. The second half has its own lows and highs. The emotions play high most of the time than the plot twists do. A Dasara-like film from a new director is promising.

The authentic taking and captivating performances from the lead actors work well for Dasara, but the story has too many concepts to be dealt with. The concepts of friendship, caste, and political gamble later get overshadowed by love and then lust. Dasara ultimately emerges as a revenge drama though everything else could mislead the audience from guessing the plot conspiracy. The mix of one too many concepts might be thought of as adding a range of narrative possibilities, but that left the original thread a sloppy one. Dharani’s forgetfulness and courage when he gets drunk is a motif the director had been carrying from the start. The director might have wanted to address that and hence the closure on alcohol addiction.

Coming to the presentation, the director maintained the theme and setting effectively from start till the end. The dark-lit setting and the minute details like party symbols changing in Silk Smitha’s painting do not let the audience deviate from the setting. The villain character appears flat where it should be intense and powerful. While the other lead cast is performing top-notch, the villain character appears weak and inferior mostly. Only the director knows if the characterization is intentional.

The climax of Dasara is one that steals the show. It is a never-before action-packed massacre from Nani and he appears monstrous with a weapon in hand. Overall, Dasara has a common story with an emotional ride and a blend of bewitching action in parts, but it is Nani’s radiance that makes this Dasara blazing.

Bottomline: Raw, Rustic And Nani’s Rampage

Rating: 3/5

Tags Dasara Movie Rating Dasara Movie Review Dasara Review Nani Dasara Review

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Dasara movie review: Nani-starrer raw and gritty tale derailed by poor narration

Dasara movie review: nani’s film is a heartfelt attempt from the makers, but falters due to poor narration. however, nani shines in the layered character..

Despite his best efforts, Nani hasn’t had a genuine hit since 2019’s Jersey . Having tried his hand at anti-hero, re-birth and comedy, the actor has now bet big on a story set in rustic Telangana. In fact, this is the biggest film of his career with a reported budget of over Rs 60 crore and a release in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam languages. Nani has openly declared that the film will be a massive hit and the debutant director, Shrikanth Odela, who assisted Sukumar on ‘Nannaku Prematho’ and ‘Rangasthalam’ earlier, will be his biggest contribution to the film industry. Nani aggressively promoted the film in Mumbai and parts of north India with the film’s trailer getting decent traction across India. Dasara also reunites Nani with Keerthy Suresh after 2017’s hit Nenu Local, and her deglamorized look in the promos has evoked keen interest. So, the story of a rugged, foul-mouthed coal thief, with the feel of Pushpa, has evoked a lot of interest.

Dasara is the story of friendship between Dharani (Nani) and Soori (Deekshith Shetty) and the love they have for Vennela (Keerthy Suresh). Set in a coal mining village of Veerlapalli, Dasara is also the story about the hard life the people in these parts lead. Shivanna (Samuthirakani), Chinna Nambi (Shine Tom Chacko) and Rajanna (Sai Kumar) represent both the liquor mafia and political power in the town. Teenager Dharani is in love with his friend Vennela, but before he can muster the courage to tell her, his close friend Soori tells him that he loves her. Dharani promptly withdraws and whole-heartedly supports Soori in his wooing of Vennela. Between their coal-thieving escapades and constant boozing, Dharani convinces the families of Soori and Vennela to get them married with the assurance that Soori would get into a steady job. Focused on confirming this alliance, Dharani unknowingly gets involved in local politics as the next-generation representative of Pedda Nambi family decides to have the panchayat sarpanch post for himself. How the politics plays havoc in their personal lives, and also in the village life, forms the rest of the story. In the process, the friendship and love stories are tested, the foundations of the village life and structure are tested and real love emerges as the winner.

Watch the trailer of Dasara starring Nani

The first half of the film runs at an uneven pace as too many things need to be established. The friendship among the lead characters comes out really nicely, particularly the bonding between Soori and Dharani. Dharani’s deeper love for Vennela also gets established in a simple sequence quite effectively. The way the local bar, Silk Bar, becomes a looming presence in the village life is shown in a novel way. However, the life surrounding mines is hardly established except in the ash filled surroundings and soot ridden air. The second half of the movie runs at a quicker pace. As Chinna Nambi’s (Tom Chacko) true colors are revealed, Dharani’s task is clear and cut out before him. Though his status with Vennela has changed now, he still cannot reveal his love for her openly. Nani showcases his suppressed love very well, with a scene between Nani and Keerthy becoming a highlight in the film. Perhaps the struggle between these two needed more time before the climax. After a huge climax sequence, and a brief break in the main events, the film concludes with a sequence at the Silk Bar again.

Maybe writer-director Shrikanth had too much on his plate as he had to showcase liquor trade, village politics, caste angle in the society, friendship and finally the love story. He is unable to weave in the various threads into the film. The ambition to reach a pan-India audience also perhaps weighed heavily on him. Samuthirakani’s character is given a positive ending with no real purpose in the story. Villain Chinna Nambi reveals a great secret to Vennela, which is not very convincing.

Shine Tom Chacko as Chinna Nambi tries his best to look mean and act tough. But as he himself does not get directly involved in many events, his villainy doesn’t amount to much. Sai Kumar did well within the parameters of his role. Samuthirakani perhaps needed a more nuanced writing with his character, Dheekshith, did well. Keerthy surprises with her ease and has a good grasp of the setting and dialect. Nani shines in the layered character.

Santhosh Narayan’s songs have already emerged as hits, and serve the story well. Avinash Kolla’s sets appear very authentic. Sathyan Sooryan’s camera also brings more depth to the film. Overall, Nani’s Dasara is a heartfelt attempt from the makers, but falters due to poor narration. Can be watched for the authentic dialect, and raw and gritty performances from the lead.

Dasara movie cast: Nani, Keerthy Suresh, Dheekshith Shetty, Sai Kumar, Samuthirakani, Santosh Narayan Dasara movie director: Shrikanth Odela Dasara movie rating: 3 stars

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Dasara Movie Review – Intense melodrama works partially !

Dasara Review

Telugu360 Rating : 2.75/5

Natural Star Nani is gearing up for the biggest bet in his career. Directed by Srikanth Odela, Dasara is a rustic Telangana-based village drama. Keerthy Suresh played the leading lady and the music composed by Santosh Narayanan is a massive hit. Sudhakar Cherukuri’s SLV Cinemas are the producers and the film is hitting the screens today. Here is the review of Dasara:

Dasara is a rustic village story that revolves around three friends Dharani ( Nani) , Vennela ( Keerthy Suresh), and Suri ( Shetty). Set in 1995, the Crux of the story is how sarpanch Nambi (played by Shine Tom Chacko) impacts the lives of the lead trio. The film is set in the backdrop of singareni mines of Telangana.

Dasara film comes with a lot of expectations but meets them only partially. The village backdrop films are nothing new to us, but to give a different look to the film, the team has picked a Telangana village backdrop. The completely rustic setup came out well and the characters synchronized into the story effectively. Debutante direct Srikanth Odela has done decent work in many aspects but missed an opportunity to convert it into a great film. The story has its moments around the interval block and in post-interval scenes. The sarpanch Nambi thread came out well. The friendship and sacrifice thread of Dharani and Suri worked out for a while. Dharani’s decision in a crucial scene has much potential to generate emotions in the second half but the narration revolves around revenge drama only.

The superhit song ‘ Chamkhila Angeelesi’ comes at a serious juncture, very ineffective on the screen. The story is too simplified and lost its steam somewhere in middle. The climax fight appeals to the masses, but the closing scene (return of Nani) is a misfired one.

A noticeable strength of the film is the dialogue department; they are good in many scenes. Director Srikanth Odela has shown strength in making at Interval block and climax. The introduction train sequence with cheap graphics is a failed attempt. Santhosh Narayanan’s music and background score is good. Suryan’s cinematography is excellent. Capturing the shot effectively even in low-lighting scenes is good. Overall, this film scores well in the technical department.

Performances:

Nani delivers career-best performance; we cannot imagine anyone else in Dharani’s role. His Telangana diction is so perfect as well. Keerthy Suresh in de glamour role is just fine; a couple of her scenes are overaction. Dheekshith Shetty as suri a good casting. Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko plays the main villain character and he is good. Samudrakhani got an insignificant role. Saikumar’s role is minimal and so is Jhansi as Keerthy suresh’s mother.

Nani’s career-best performance
Rustic and Raw Scenes with a new backdrop
Action Episodes are good
Impressive dialogues
Emotions did not work except in a couple of scenes
Very Slow paced narration
Predictability

Dasara is an average film with raw scenes and an authentic setup. Hero Nani’s outstanding natural performance, Debutante director Srikanth’s spark in some scenes, and action blocks compensate for the slow proceedings to an extent. The second half is a slow-paced one and tests patience here and there. Overall, a decent watch.

Telugu360 Rating: 2.75/5

Release date: USA 29th March 2023 Director : Srikanth Odhela Music director: Santhosh Narayanan Cinematography: Sathyan Sooryan Producers: Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Cinemas

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Dasara Review – Banchat Nani RAWWW!

Banchat Nani RAWWW!

OUR RATING 3/5

U/A, 2h 36m

Set in Veerlapally, a small village in the nineties, Dasara’s story centres on Dharani (Nani), Vennela (Keerthy Suresh), and Suri (Dheekshit Shetty), childhood friends. Dharani loves Vennela, but she has Suri in her mind.

Meanwhile, people’s lives in Veerlapally revolve around Silk Bar and coal mining. What happens when local politics and love cross paths and give a shocking twist in Dharani’s life? The movie’s basic plot is how Dharani and Vennela find love with each other.

Performances

Nani is back on the big screen after Ante Sundaraniki. It shows how effortlessly he slips into different parts. His role in Dasara couldn’t have been any more contrasting.

From the first frame until the end, Nani stays in character and breathes it. He’s lucky it has a perfect mixture of action, comedy, and drama. He nails them all perfectly. The action blocks, whenever they appear, are done with superb intensity. The only problem here is that the character doesn’t get elevated to the next level despite all the positivity. It is a sincerely done part that deserves all the praise, but simultaneously it lacks the iconic appeal.

Keerthy Suresh, too goes for a drastic makeover with Dasara. She is also good and shares neat chemistry with Nani. She is integral to the narrative and does well whenever the opportunity arises.

Debutant Srikanth Odela directs Dasara. Coming from school of Sukumar, he has picked a raw and rustic tale and setting for his first attempt.

The immediate thing registering in everyone’s mind as Dasara begins is the village of Veerlapally. The people, their habits and daily lives are neatly presented. Srikanth Odela takes his time but ensures one is immersed in the world. It helps set Dasara apart from similar big-budgeted rugged attempts from Telugu cinema in recent years.

Dasara mainly focuses on the trio, Dharani, Vennela and Suri. Their journey involving friendship and love and the politics surrounding them constitute the narrative. The former consumes much of the movie’s first half, with short bursts of political drama related to local body elections etc., thrown in.

The interval is sure to come as a huge shocker to many. It isn’t something we usually see in Telugu cinema every day, hence the impact. The execution is slick, highlighting the craftsmanship of the newcomer director. It raises hopes for the second half big time.

Nothing changes in the second half, and we realise what the movie is truly about within the first fifteen minutes. A scene at that point reveals the critical elements related to the interval and ends the little suspense.

What follows is a drama related to Dharani and Vennela. There are no big surprises or twists or turns in the plot. The director focuses on their relationship. Here the screenplay is uneven, as some parts are outright boring. A good scene is followed by a few that lacks excitement. Finally, the whole drama is built towards the climax, which is thrillingly handled.

Overall, Dasara offers terrific visuals and performances that make it worth a watch. If you like raw and rustic dramas and don’t mind the pace and predictability, go ahead with Dasara.

Dheekshith Shetty plays a vital role, easily becoming part of the trio along with Nani and Keerthy Suresh. He plays the aggressive heroic character neatly. Apart from them, the Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko has a pivotal part. He is excellent when given the scope, but that is only in a few places. It makes one feel that his talent is not fully explored. Saikumar and Jhansi are adequately doing the usual supporting parts. However, Samudrakani is wasted in a role that seems chopped off on the editing table.

Santhosh Narayanan composes for a direct Telugu film after a very long gap. He infuses life into the proceedings with his songs and background score. His unique sound is refreshing, adding a layer of freshness to the proceedings.

Technically Dasara is a superior product. The music director is one of the many components. Santhyan Sooryan’s cinematography is brilliant, capturing the rawness beautifully and in its full glory. It sets the tone ideally for things to take off. Naveen Nooli’s editing is neat. The writing is fine with the smaller moments shining, keeping the local sensibilities in mind. The action choreography is excellent, making the interval and climax stand out.

Nani Interval and Climax Emotional Blocks BGM Cinematography

Predictable Story Slow Pace Boring Moments At Times

Did I Enjoy It? Yes

Will You Recommend It? Yes

Dasara Movie Review by M9News

Final Report: Dasara is a good one-time watch for the terrific technical work, authentic setting, solid performances from the lead cast, and a banger of an ending. On the flip side, story-wise, it lacks any surprise factor as it focuses more on drama and emotions.

— Chamkeela Angeelesi is picturized with so much love. It oozes in every frame of the montage song.

First Half Report:

Debutant Srikanth Odela successfully manages to immerse us in Veerlapalli on the big screen. It helps one glued to the proceedings.

Just when you think everything is normal, he stuns you with a slickly shot stunning interval. All eyes are now on the second half to see where Dasara heads and if it does to the next level.

— A simple yet very effective introduction for Natural Star Nani.

— Dasara begins in Veerlapalli. CM NTR calls for liquor prohibition. This affects Silk bar and the leadership in village.

Stay tuned for Dasara Review, USA Premiere Report.

Dasara Cast: Nani, KeerthySuresh

Directed by Srikanth Odela. Music by Santhosh Narayanan, DOP by Sathyan Sooryan ISC, Editing by Navin Nooli, Produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri On SLV Cinemas Banner.

Production Designer: Avinash Kolla Stunts: Real Satish, Anbariv Dialogues: Thota Srinivas Writers: Jella Srinath, Arjuna Paturi, Vamsi Krishna P Lyrics: Kasarla Shyam, Sreemani, Rahman, Gaddam Suresh Choreographer: Prem Rakshith, Eshwar Penti VFX Supervisor: Junaid Sound Design: Suren G, S. Alagiakoothan Direction Department – Rohith Raj Boddupalli, Ravi Kumar Uppala, Yeswanth Vittapu, Arjuna Paturi, Jella Srinath, Vamsi Krishna Pinnika, Ravi Gudelli, Ram Nadella, Pawan Kumar Lekkala, Madhukar Satla.

Review: ‘In Our Day’ sees a master returning to his usual elements — in endless variation

Two women have a conversation as a cat sits in the room.

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Hong Sang-soo’s ability to transform the ordinary into something reaching toward ecstasy makes him one of the most exhilarating filmmakers working today. In his 30th feature, the prolific South Korean director revisits familiar themes (artists in crisis) and narrative frameworks (a two-story structure) to continue examining the questions that are central to his work. What is the meaning of life? How does one pursue a pure artistic vision?

The film follows two seemingly unrelated storylines. In the first, Sangwon ( Kim Min-hee , Hong’s real-life partner), a retired actress, returns to Korea and stays with her friend Jung-soo (Song Sun-mi) as she contemplates her next moves. Sangwon’s younger cousin Jisoo (Park Mi-so) visits her, seeking advice on becoming an actress. In the second, an aging poet, Uiju (Ki Joo-bong), is visited by two young admirers, Kijoo (Kim Seung-yun) a documentary student, and Jaewon (Ha Seong-guk) an ardent fan who is himself an aspiring actor.

As the film alternates between the two arcs, the similarities appear superficial at first: gatherings of three, guitars given as presents, a younger generation seeking counsel from their elders. There are hints of a shared past — the idiosyncratic way some of them eat their noodles, with a spoonful of gochujang (hot pepper paste). But the two storylines never converge. Hong invites us to look beyond story parallels into something simultaneously deeper and more quotidian.

One of the great pleasures of experiencing Hong’s films comes in the anticipation of encountering some of his well-worn tropes, then watching him scramble them anew. There are familiar scenes involving bottles of soju, moments of awkward conversation and garbled philosophizing in this film. They unfurl in Hong’s long, leisurely takes and through his particular gift for coaxing enthrallingly natural performances from his actors. (He also produced, shot and edited the film and composed the music.)

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The key to unlocking the film is found in Jung-soo’s cat, named Woori, meaning “we” or “us” in Korean. A paragon of purity (“Animals are angels, truly,” remarks a character), Woori reflects the desires of the protagonists and the auteur himself. When Sangwon introduces the cat to her cousin, it sounds like she’s talking about herself: “Isn’t he pretty? This is us.” Even the title of the film can be read as both “In Our Day” or “Woori’s Day.” Whose day are we watching unfold, exactly? Is it the cat’s, the poet’s or Hong’s?

Jung-soo worries that the cat eats too much. But Sangwon is more sanguine. “What’s the point of living anyway? Eat your fill,” she tells Woori as she hands down treats. It’s as much a prescription for the cat as it is for herself. Later, when the cat goes missing, Sangwon wonders why it would jump from the balcony to escape. “It’s their instinct to jump,” says Jungsoo.

Sometimes the film’s wisdom takes on a homespun quality. Sangwon’s advice to her cousin starts off as a rant about the necessity of honesty in acting and how she was never able to achieve that herself. But when she crouches down to look at the planters lining the balcony, she shares something closer to truth. She tells Jisoo that she likes to commune with plants. A small flower once spoke to her, reassuring her that “everything’s OK,” and that “however much I’m blown, I believe.” This story moves Jisoo to tears.

“In Our Day” also alludes to some biographical details about Hong, who first collaborated with Kim Min-hee on 2015’s “Right Now, Wrong Then” and subsequently began an affair with her, leading to the end of his marriage, a Korean media scandal at the time. (“It’s an old story. Let’s not talk about it,” says the poet Uiju, also surnamed Hong.) Jisoo abruptly brings up the first time she had sex. (“It’s no big deal now, but thinking back on it, it was the first I came to know guilt,” she says.) Hong’s early work showed a lot of ugly, shameful sex; these days, there’s hardly any sex in it at all.

It’s a quietly revelatory film from an auteur who never stops looking. “Maintaining a clear vision might be the hardest thing in the world,” Uiju tells his visitors. “You must devote your life to it for a chance of keeping it.” That might be the closest we’ll get to an artist’s statement.

'In Our Day'

Not rated In Korean, with subtitles Running time: 1 hour, 24 minutes Playing: Lumiere Cinema, West Los Angeles; Vidiots, Eagle Rock

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A woman stands shocked in a doorway, her hand held over her mouth.

By Alissa Wilkinson

The yearning to reverse death is baked into human nature, a longing to defeat evil, to set things right, to conquer mortality. In “Handling the Undead,” that desire is the fruit of great love. Who hasn’t, upon losing someone, wished desperately for just one more chance to see them, hold them, tell them how much they mean?

“Handling the Undead” has an earnest and simple premise that sounds like enough for a whole thriller: One day, out of nowhere, with little explanation, the dead are reanimated en masse. The film is unconcerned with the global ramifications of this phenomenon; instead, its focus is on three groups of Oslo residents whose lives are upended by the event.

There is Mahler (Bjorn Sundquist) and his daughter, Anna (Renate Reinsve), a single mother whose young son died some time ago. The two of them, from the looks of it, have never recovered from the loss — Mahler weeps on his grandson’s grave, while Anna tries to bury her anguish in work. Meanwhile, Tora (Bente Borsum) grieves her partner, Elisabet (Olga Damani), who has died after their long life together. And David (an outstanding Anders Danielsen Lie ), an aspiring comic, is shocked when his beloved wife, Eva (Bahar Pars), is killed in a car accident, barely knowing how to keep living with their two teenagers.

This is merely the beginning of the story. But what follows is simple, and the director Thea Hvistendahl wisely takes her time getting to any real action. Instead, with a slow-moving camera and plenty of filtered sunlight, she conjures a dreamlike state, the sense of hanging between planes of existence that tends to accompany those who grieve. There are times when the film veers too near the maudlin for comfort, but it always finds its way back to something spare and meaningful. What would you do, the story gently asks, if your fondest and most impossible wish was granted, and you realized it wasn’t at all what you’d hoped it would be? How far does real love go to maintain a connection with those whose time has come?

Hvistendahl wrote the screenplay with John Ajvide Lindqvist, the author of the novel on which the movie is based (as well as the quiet vampire story “Let The Right One In”). The drama borrows from zombie movies, but for something distinctly unzombielike. What’s under examination is the strange permeable barrier between life and death, and the way it appears to those who are left behind to deal with the fallout. In exploring it with a hint of mysticism, “Handling the Undead” joins a rich variety of entertainment, like “Fringe,” “The Leftovers,” “The Good Place” and “Six Feet Under.”

It’s also a foundational plank in the “Avengers” films, which take as one of their major plot points the notion of what’s called “the snap.” A villain manages to exterminate half of earth’s population, only to have the process reversed five years later. Outside of a few TV show plotlines, the Marvel Cinematic Universe — being big-budget Hollywood entertainment — has never really managed to reckon in a satisfying way with the chaos of a world where the dead are made alive again. Instead, the logistical nightmares and odd inevitable grief of the reversal (what if you remarried, and then your spouse suddenly returned?) are quickly dealt with in favor of defeating the next big bad.

“Handling the Undead” also eschews any of the practical questions, but with a more humanist intent: to lean single-mindedly into its characters’ emotions — and also its eerie mythical resonance. It’s a somber film, underplaying its potential for sentimentality. But it does have an oddly cheeky beginning. As the camera slowly moves through Mahler’s drab flat, we hear a choir singing in English. “God so loved the world, so loved the world,” they begin, in the British composer Bob Chilcott’s choral setting of John 3:16 . Both verse and song end with the promise that whoever believes in God’s son, Jesus, “should not perish but have everlasting life, everlasting, everlasting life.”

The verse and its text are such a cultural touchstone that the oddly macabre implications can be lost. It’s meant to be somewhat metaphorical, referring to an eternity spent in the presence of God, but on the surface it’s something much weirder: life that never ceases, that simply goes on and on, forever and ever, without end.

There’s something very terrifying in that premise (just ask vampire movies), and that’s what “Handling the Undead” taps into. There’s an old truism that it’s death that gives life meaning, that mortality is what makes every moment count. But truisms become truisms because they are true, and when a life ends, it changes the people it once touched. It’s cruel and wrong to suggest that death is good — but it’s kind, at least, to recall what death can mean to the living.

Handling the Undead Not rated. In Norwegian, with subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 37 minutes. In theaters.

Alissa Wilkinson is a Times movie critic. She’s been writing about movies since 2005. More about Alissa Wilkinson

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Zombies don’t have to be fast. It’s a fun novelty sometimes, sure. But the essence of zombies as a horror subgenre is best expressed as a feeling of creeping dread, the idea that something horrible is coming and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. Executed properly, the slowness can actually enhance the terror, letting it sink into the viewer’s bones over long, breathless seconds. In this specific aspect, “Handling the Undead” is a great zombie film.

The official synopsis for Norwegian director Thea Hvistendahl ’s feature debut describes it as a “drama with horror elements,” which is accurate; even when the movie indulges in classic horror scenarios—an isolated cabin, a woman skinny-dipping in a lake—it does so in its own restrained, mournful way. Built around three interwoven storylines, the film comprises a series of hushed tableaus that are tastefully composed and elegantly shot. There’s very little dialogue, and everything is bathed in an overcast gray light.

The understated filmmaking fits the intriguing premise: What would realistically happen if the dead started coming back to life? “Handling the Undead” is based on a novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist , whose “ Let the Right One In ” and “ Border ” take a similarly grounded approach to their supernatural elements. The reactions of the characters to the freak electromagnetic event—portrayed here as a power surge that fills radio waves with static and interrupts the fight patterns of migrating birds—that returns their recently deceased loved ones to them are realistic as well.

That is to say that they’re sad, desperate, and irrational. When Mahler ( Bjørn Sundquist ) hears his dead grandson banging on the lid of his coffin, he doesn’t scream. He fetches a shovel and digs the boy up. When Elisabet ( Olga Damani ) gets out of her casket and wanders home to her partner Tora ( Bente Børsum ), Tora is shocked but happy to see her. And David ( Anders Danielsen Lie ) is confused when a doctor tells him that his girlfriend Eva ( Bahar Pars ) was dead, but now she isn’t. But he chooses to latch onto the hopeful part of the doctor’s statement, not the disturbing one.

Add “ The Worst Person in the World ” star Renate Reinsve as the despondent mother of the undead boy, and you’ve got a symphony of frozen grief and false hope playing out over 97 somber minutes. As an audience, we know that the characters’ optimism is doomed. We’ve seen one of these movies before. That lends a heartbreaking sadness to scenes where characters embrace their dead loved ones, whose appearances range from slightly “off” (Elisabet’s back is purple, from her blood pooling as she laid in her coffin) to full-on zombie makeup in the style of a George Romero film.

Thanks to all this brittle emotion, Hvistendahl’s film is absorbing, even captivating at times. But it moves at a pace that can be charitably described as “measured.” (The uncharitable word is “sluggish.”) This works to its advantage when creating tension—Hvistendahl gets a lot of anticipatory mileage out of static shots of dark hallways—but it can also test the patience of even the most invested viewer in scenes where the tone doesn’t click. Thankfully, these moments are rare enough that they don’t completely break the tonal spell Hvistendahl has worked so hard to cast over her film. But given how slow the movie is in general, they’re also missteps that “Handling the Undead” can’t afford to make. This is one zombie movie you don’t want to watch after midnight.

Katie Rife is a freelance writer and critic based in Chicago with a speciality in genre cinema. She worked as the News Editor of The A.V. Club from 2014-2019, and as Senior Editor of that site from 2019-2022. She currently writes about film for outlets like Vulture, Rolling Stone, Indiewire, Polygon , and RogerEbert.com.

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Handling the Undead (2024)

Renate Reinsve as Anna

Anders Danielsen Lie as David

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Dasara Movie Review : Nani delivers a memorable performance in this
Dasara Movie Review: Critics Rating: 3.0 stars, click to give your rating/review,A raw, rustic and gory tale of friendship that works for the most part
Dasara
Sep 12, 2023 Full Review Surya Komal Just for Movie Freaks Dasara is worth watching and showcased technical and performance brilliance at certain moments, but it lacked a crucial element ...
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Dasara tries to be a 'massy' Telugu film that explores the ugly caste politics in a semi-fictional story set in the coal-laden hamlet Veerlapally, Telangana, with earnestness, and achieves ...
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Dasara Review: Even in the most melodramatic of moments, Keerthy Suresh retains control of her faculties and the scene. Movie Reviews Saibal Chatterjee Updated: March 31, 2023 8:36 am IST
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Dasara movie review: While the Nani-starrer uses every trick in the book, it succeeds in sucking you into a world you haven't experienced before. Nani's Dasara, like its recent counterparts ...
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Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 26, 2023. Carla Hay Culture Mix. Dasara uses a lot of familiar techiques in over-the-top action movies about love triangles and vengeful family members ...
Dasara (2023)
Dasara movie review: A Surprising Visual Treat The movie had me with it from the start till the very end, the theme of alcoholism was very funny and than suddenly the movie tells us a story of love and friendship, which later changes to Ramayana spin off which was just totally unexpected. Nani the lead actor does a fabulous job in acting, his ...
Dasara Movie Review: Fiery Nani is brilliant in this predictable
Dasara Movie Review: Fiery Nani is brilliant in this predictable revenge drama. Director Srikanth Odela's Dasara, starring Nani, Keerthy Suresh and Deekshit Shetty, is a visually stunning revenge drama. With some clichés, Dasara has its heart in the right place, says our review. Nani's Dasara hit theatres on March 30.
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Dasara movie review: Nani, Keerthy Suresh and Dheekshith Shetty starrer has hit the screens today. Directed by Srikanth Odela, the film released in multiple languages and has blockbuster written ...
Dasara (film)
Dasara (transl. Vijayadasami) is a 2023 Indian Telugu-language period action drama film directed by Srikanth Odela and produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri. It stars an ensemble cast of Nani, Keerthy Suresh, Dheekshith Shetty, Shine Tom Chacko, Samuthirakani, P. Sai Kumar and Shamna Kasim.The film marks the directorial debut of Odela and Chacko's acting debut in Telugu cinema.
Nani's Dasara Telugu Movie Review
Dasara is set in the village of Veerlapalle in Godhavarikhani. Dharani (Nani), his friend Soori (Dheekshith Shetty) and others are addicted to alcohol. Vennela (Keerthy Suresh) is their common friend since childhood.
Dasara movie review: Nani delivers a power-packed performance in
Nani delivers one of his finest performances in Dasara. Set in the 90s, in Veerlapally village situated in the Singareni coal mine area, Dasara begins with the story of three childhood friends Dharani (Nani), Soori (Deekshith Shetty), and Vennela (Keerthy Suresh). In Veerlapally, the villagers are alcoholics and spend their maximum time drinking.
Dasara Movie Review: Raw and Rustic
Movie: Dasara Rating: 2.75/5 Banner: Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Cinemas Cast: Nani, Keerthy Suresh, Dheekshith Shetty, Samuthirakani, Shine Tom Chacko, Sai Kumar, Poorna and others Dialogues: Thota Srinivas Music: Santhosh Narayanan Director of Photography: Sathyan Sooryan Editor: Navin Nooli Production Designer: Avinash Kolla Stunts: Real Satish, Anbariv Producer: Sudhakar Cherukuri Written and ...
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Dasara Movie Review (2023) 30 Mar 2023; 2:32 Hrs ; Srikanth Odela's 'Dasara' is a solid, subdued star vehicle that favours emotions over "mass" moments . Dasara Movie Cast & Crew. Cast : Nani ...
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Dasara: Nani's lively avatar steals the show in 'Dhoom Dhaam Dhosthaan' video song. Actor Nani is getting ready for the much-awaited release of "Dasara", which is expected to be one of the biggest ...
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Overall, Dasara has a common story with an emotional ride and a blend of bewitching action in parts, but it is Nani's radiance that makes this Dasara blazing. Bottomline: Raw, Rustic And Nani's Rampage. Rating: 3/5. Tags Dasara Movie Rating Dasara Movie Review Dasara Review Nani Dasara Review
Dasara movie review: Nani-starrer raw and gritty tale derailed by poor
Dasara movie review: Nani-starrer raw and gritty tale derailed by poor narration Dasara movie review: Nani's film is a heartfelt attempt from the makers, but falters due to poor narration. However, Nani shines in the layered character. Rating: 3 out of 5. Written by Raghu Bandi
Dasara Movie Review, Rating, Public Talk,
Dasara Review. Telugu360 Rating : 2.75/5. Natural Star Nani is gearing up for the biggest bet in his career. Directed by Srikanth Odela, Dasara is a rustic Telangana-based village drama. Keerthy Suresh played the leading lady and the music composed by Santosh Narayanan is a massive hit.
Dasara Movie (2023): Release Date, Cast, Ott, Review, Trailer, Story
Dasara Telugu Movie: Check out Nani's Dasara movie release date, review, cast & crew, trailer, songs, teaser, story, budget, first day collection, box office collection, ott release date ...
Dasara Movie Review
Final Report: Dasara is a good one-time watch for the terrific technical work, authentic setting, solid performances from the lead cast, and a banger of an ending. On the flip side, story-wise, it lacks any surprise factor as it focuses more on drama and emotions. — Chamkeela Angeelesi is picturized with so much love.
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Handling the Undead movie review (2024)
Executed properly, the slowness can actually enhance the terror, letting it sink into the viewer's bones over long, breathless seconds. In this specific aspect, "Handling the Undead" is a great zombie film. The official synopsis for Norwegian director Thea Hvistendahl 's feature debut describes it as a "drama with horror elements ...