'Akshara', starring Nandita Swetha in the lead, is out in theatres. Here is our review of the latest box-office release.

Story:

Akshara (Nandita Swetha) is a Physics lecturer at a corporate college owned by the ambitious educational entrepreneur Sanjay Bhargav (Sanjay Swaroop), whose dream is to set up a one-of-its-kind educational hub by flouting all ethical norms. Sritej (Sritej), a board director of the college, befriends her and falls in love. Meanwhile, three good-for-nothing youngsters (Satya, Shakalaka Shankar, Madhunandan) have been duped by their colony president (Ajay Ghosh) that Akshara loves them.

The film is about how the threads involving Akshara, Sanjay Bhargav, Sritej, a top cop, and the useless men pining for Akshara's attention converge.

Analysis:

Director B Chinni sets up the film as a semi-comedy vigilante drama. Minus the comedy track involving Satya, Shakalaka Shankar, Ajay Ghosh and Madhunandan, 'Akshara' would have been in the mold of a serious revenge saga with its share of hyper-familiar tropes. And it's not like clowns pulling all stops to get the attention of the most beautiful woman in the colony is a novel idea. It's as stale as stale can get.

The track involving Sanjay Swaroop's villainous character is fairly okay. As the proprietor of a large educational empire, the actor looks convincing. We have seen him in underwritten good uncle/good dad roles so far and he is a revelation in the role of a cold, cruel businessman. Maybe, his second innings is going to see him get cast in negative roles.

Nandita Swetha, who has struggled to get another break after 'Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada' (2016), doesn't sink her teeth into the role of a feisty woman whose face conceals the rage simmering inside her. She is a college lecturer with a difference, but she exudes romantic vibes more than academic vibes. That may well be her characterization, but you expect non-obvious performance from someone who wants to end student suicides, academic-political nexus, rote learning and suchlike.

The dialogues smack of over-dramatization. Heavy-duty words such as 'Yuddham', 'Yagnam' and 'Poratam' are thrown around. And when the flashback begins, we are doomed to discover that it is as laughable as it can get. The cop elevation shots are superfluous. By the time the flashback is over, the audience would be salivating at the prospect of the film coming to an end.

Ajay Ghosh and the clownish set of comedians he is saddled with are frustrating to watch. Shivashankar Master is mobilized to create some outdated comedy around classical dancing.

Shatru plays a cop whose investigation is riddled with loopholes and is high on needless style.

Harshavardhan shines forth in the role of a lecturer who believes that everyone should study in government colleges because Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya studied in a government school and went on to become a legend. Just maybe, 'Baahubali' should have been made on a shoestring budget because 'Nuvve Kavali' was made on a shoestring budget and it had a 365-day run at the box-office.

The performances are middling for the most part. Srikanth Aiyyengar is seen in the role of a Minister. Suresh Bobbili's songs are good enough.

Verdict:

'Akshara' is a formulaic vigilante drama that not only is outdated but also fails to tickle the funny bone with its over-the-top comedy.