'Raja Vikramarka' hit the screens today. Here is our review of the latest box office release.

Story:

Vikram (Kartikeya) is an NIA agent who is assigned the job of keeping an eye on the Home Minister's movements. The HM, played by Sai Kumar, is facing a life threat from an ex-rebel Guru Narayana (Pasupathy). Meanwhile, Vikram and the HM's daughter Kanthi (Tanya Ravichandran) fall in love with each other. When Guru Narayana ups his game, Vikram, the HM, and the NIA have to confront many unexpected challenges.

Analysis:

Debutant director Sri Saripalli, who is a VV Vinayak protege, has chosen the backdrop of NIA to elevate the hero's character. Kartikeya's character is extremely adept despite being a beginner. He uses his brain more than brawn in the toughest of situations. The narration falls flat right from the time a novice like him is assigned the task of protecting no less a VVIP than the Home Minister of the State.

The HM behaves like a gully politician. His daughter behaves like a typical Telugu cinema heroine. The hero's boss (played by Tanikella Bharani) is ridiculously lenient. Sudhakar Komakula plays a young cop who is guarding the HM. His layered character is well-written.

The Maoism element receives silly treatment. The classical dance element is given a step-motherly treatment (there is a good song where Tanya shows off her skills and that's all there is to it). The ingredients in the first half are insufferable, with Harsha Vardhan's character lacking both believability and comedy. The romantic track is uncomical and unromantic.

The plot thickens only in the second half. The challenges come from unexpected quarters and the only man who can handle them is our novice Vikram. The NIA is adamantly clueless without him.

The last 25 minutes of the 135-minute-long film have some substance. But, by then, the drama delivers too many unserious ideas to be taken seriously.

Kartikeya Gummakonda is not as bad as he was in 'Guna 369' and '90 ML'. He is able and shows promise. Tanya looks good but her role is under-written. Sai Kumar looks out of place with an artificial moustache. Sudhakar Komakula of 'Life Is Beautiful' fame is impressive. Tanikella Bharani, Pasupathy, and others fit the bill.

PC Mouli's cinematography is effective, while Prashanth R Vihari's BGM is another asset.

Verdict:

'Raja Vikramarka' throws logic out of the window. It's a directionless thriller.