Cast: Ravi Teja, Nupur Sanon, Gayathri Bharadwaj, Anupam Kher, Renu Desai, Murali Sharma
Director: Vamsee
Music: G.V. Prakash Kumar
Producer: Abhishek Agarwal
Ravi Teja, who recently found success with ‘Dhamaka’ and ‘Waltair Veerayya,’ has placed high expectations on his first Pan Indian venture, ‘Tiger Nageswara Rao.’ The film draws its inspiration from a renowned thief of the 1980s and the Stuartpuram crisis. Unlike traditional heist tales, this film delves into the personal life of its central character, offering a fresh perspective.
Story:
In ‘Tiger Nageswara Rao,’ Ravi Teja takes on the role of the infamous thief, portraying it convincingly. His success in the role is not just about acting but also about a transformation in appearance and a departure from his usual high-energy roles. While the character might not be a standout in Ravi Teja’s filmography, his performance remains sincere and consistent.
The heroines, Nupur Sanon and Gayatri Bharadwaj, deliver competent portrayals of typical heroine roles. While their performances are solid, nothing particularly exceptional stands out.
Renu Desai, on the other hand, is given a subtle but somewhat lackluster character. Despite receiving a decent amount of screen time, her character and performance fail to make a significant impact.
Analysis:
Directed by Vamsee, ‘Tiger Nageswara Rao’ takes a unique approach by emphasizing the personal life of its protagonist rather than focusing on his thrilling heists and the chase by law enforcement, which is usually the core of such stories.
The movie begins on a strong note with an engaging train robbery sequence that instantly captures the audience’s attention. The period setting and Nageswara Rao’s introduction through a flashback narrated by Murali Sharma maintain the film’s momentum for the first thirty minutes.
However, as the narrative shifts to a love story, the remainder of the first half, including the crucial interval sequence where Nageswara Rao targets the Prime Minister’s residence, becomes somewhat lackluster. The love story’s execution, along with a mediocre song, contributes to the film’s slower pace.
The second half of the movie takes a different direction, with Nassar revealing TNR’s past to Anupam Kher. Unfortunately, the thrilling heists and escapades that were expected are conspicuously absent. Instead, the film focuses on portraying TNR as a Robin Hood-like figure. This shift leads to a slower-paced, extended drama involving student issues and a one-sided love story. Strangely, Renu Desai’s character adds to the overall dullness.
Apart from a well-composed, intense action sequence in the second half, there are few standout moments. The background score, which initially showed promise, deteriorates as the film progresses. The essence of a mastermind thief and his daring heists gradually fades as the story unfolds.
Highlights:
- Engaging opening train robbery
- The First thirty minutes of the film
- Action sequences in the second half
- Exploration of the core theme
Drawbacks:
- Lengthy runtime
- Slow-paced second half
- Lackluster romantic and dramatic sequences
- Uninspiring songs and love tracks
- Insufficient thrilling moments
Verdict:
‘Tiger Nageswara Rao’ kicks off with a promising start but eventually loses its momentum. The film’s lengthy runtime is filled with moments that lack the expected intrigue, despite its distinctive approach and setting.
