Kiku Chiranjeevi is a survival thriller starring Kiku Yanamala, Kashish Khan, Eeswari Rao, Tanikella Bharani and others in key roles. Directed by Shubha Sai Venkat, the film features music by Shekar Chandra, cinematography by P. Ramakrishna and editing by Chota K. Prasad. Produced by Deepti Nadiminti, the film promises a suspenseful ride built around an intriguing premise. Let’s see how it is.
Story:
Chiranjeevi (Kiku) and Manasa (Kashish Khan) are orphans, but they are raised by their respective guardians (Goparaju Ramana Raju and Srikant Bharat). As Manasa gears up to tie the knot, Tanikella Bharani and his gang keep killing the men who become close to her. However, Manasa falls in love with Chiranjeevi. Their relationship eventually leads to marriage. But after their first night, Manasa discovers a shocking truth about Chiru. What is that truth? Why does Tanikella Bharani kill the men who get close to Manasa? Why is Chiru unaffected? What is the connection of the Hyderabad-based businesswoman (Eeswari Rao) to all of this? And how does Manasa escape from this trap? The rest of the story answers these questions.
What about on-screen performances?
Kiku does a good job in his role. His performance is particularly better when portraying the negative shade of his character. Though he is new, the young actor delivers a memorable performance.
Young actress Kashish Khan also delivers a good performance. Apart from her acting, she puts in the required effort in terms of glamour as well.
Eeswari Rao was recently seen in a negative-shaded role in Lenin, but here she appears in a somewhat more full-fledged role and provides a surprise. She brings a lot of depth to the film with her sincere performance.
Srikant Bharat, Goparaju Ramana Raju and the other actors also perform well in their respective roles.
What about off-screen talents?
There are a few decent thrilling moments in the film. The narrative in the first half works reasonably well in certain scenes. The interval twist is one of the better aspects, and the suspense factor maintained at various points is also fairly effective and keeps the audience invested.
The clarity provided during the climax of the second half about why all of this is happening provides some relief and helps make sense of the proceedings.
The film does have a decent concept, but it can be said that it lacks the strong narration required to make the concept work effectively.
In particular, many situations in the film are resolved very simply. Since this happens more frequently in the first half, the narrative feels somewhat weak.
The love track between the hero and heroine is very simple. It feels as though their relationship has been forcibly inserted into the story, without establishing a strong conflict.
Even after the second half begins, the narrative becomes somewhat stretched. After a certain point, the developments become predictable for the audience.
The songs also feel slightly excessive and act as speed breakers. These are some of the elements that appear weak in the film.
Producer Deepti Nadiminti’s production values can be described as decent.
Shekar Chandra’s music is good, and the cinematography is also handled well.
Chota K. Prasad’s editing could have been cut with greater clarity and made tighter. However, his work is good in certain portions.
Coming to director Shubha Sai Venkat, the subject he has chosen has good potential. Moreover, he has established many of the scenes quite well.
For example, the scene in the first half where the heroine gives the hero artificial respiration, as well as the scene involving the birth of a baby, along with a few other sequences, have been planned effectively.
However, the director loses clarity in certain aspects. Had he taken greater care with these elements as well, the overall output of the thriller would have been much better.
What’s Good?
Basic concept
A few thrills
What’s Bad?
Slow pace
Continent writing
Lack of effective emotions
Verdict:
Overall, Kiku Chiranjeevi is just an okay thriller that works in parts. The point chosen by the director has good potential but the film needed a more engaging narrative which is missing. So, it would be better to watch this film with low expectations.
Telugubulletin Rating 2.5/5
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