Suspense thrillers always have a special allure. And it gets highlighted in Nandanavanam 120 Km under the direction of Neelakanta. After the dismal show in Sada Mee Sevalo, he bounces back in style with a gritty entertainer, showing that he is indeed a classy director. To have pulled it off with debutants and a script that doesn't accommodate any songs, is truly smart.
No review of a suspense film can afford to give the story away. But the broad outline of this movie revolves around Amar (Ajay), a petty thief. But he gets sucked into a bigger vortex through the scheming Banerjee (Kota Sreenivasa Rao). He impersonates a rich businessman and goes to Nandanavanam estate.
Why does he go there? What happens after that? These questions find interesting answers in the script. The film happens because the director has managed to keep the suspense going till the last frames. The surprise element is also plausible and outlandish. And in Vijay Kurakula, Neelakanta has found an able ally, who adds an extra tinge of iciness to the suspense through his music.
The newcomers Ajay and Manasa give a good account of themselves. They seem natural and spontaneous. Kota Srinivasa Rao is bankable as ever.
The plot is even-paced, and in the second half it gets the right amount of pep to keep you engrossed.
Neelakanta, with the help of Vinda, the cameraman, has given the movie an extra sheen of quality. Technically, too, the movie is topnotch.
All told, Neelakanta has given a neat and acceptable mystery movie.
Sans any mass entertainment aspects, Neelakanta has pulled it off. Hats off to him.
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