Starring: Siddharth, Nimisha Vijayan, Sahasra Sree, Anjali Nair, and others
Director: SU Arunkumar
Producer: Siddharth
Music Directors: Dhibu Ninan Thomas and Vishal Chandrasekhar
Following Uday Kiran and Tarun’s exit from the limelight, Siddharth emerged as the next romantic hero in Telugu cinema. Despite his promising start, Siddharth struggled to achieve consistent success, eventually taking a break from Telugu films for an extended period. His comeback attempt with the movie ‘Mahasamudram’ did not have the desired impact. Notably, Siddharth took on the role of a producer for the movie “Chinna” and expressed his deep emotional connection to the project during the press meet. Let’s see what is the movie about.
Story:
In “Chinna,” Eeshwar, also known as Chinna (Siddharth), is a government official responsible for his deceased brother’s wife and 8-year-old daughter, Sundari, also known as Chitti (Sahasra Sree). When Chitti goes missing one day, Eeshwar embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind her disappearance, leading to the unraveling of bizarre secrets.
Plus Points:
The film boasts a convincing storyline with a strong focus on narration, particularly in the second half. The screenplay is well-structured, particularly in the latter part of the film.
Siddharth delivers one of the finest performances of his career, portraying his character with simplicity and emotional depth.
Sahasra Sree’s portrayal of Chitti is both adorable and remarkable, showcasing her exceptional on-screen presence.
Nimisha Vijayan delivers a commendable performance, despite limited screen time.
The film’s score is a standout, enhancing the emotional depth of the story effectively.
The dubbing and on-screen signage in the Telugu version seamlessly integrate, providing an authentic feel.
Minus Points:
While the storyline is decent, it may not introduce entirely fresh elements, with some plot twists becoming predictable early on. However, the screenplay compensates for this.
Director SU Arunkumar could have crafted a more engaging first half with a faster pace, as the initial portion takes time to delve into the central plot.
The emotional bond between Siddharth and Chitti feels somewhat lacking, and more scenes depicting their relationship could have improved this aspect.
Nimisha Vijayan’s character could have been portrayed with greater depth, and more compelling dialogues could have enhanced her role.
Technical Aspects:
SU Arunkumar has made a commendable effort to create “Chinna” as a thought-provoking film dealing with child abuse and physical assault. However, a more concise and engaging narrative in the first half could have improved the overall experience.
Vishal Chandrasekhar’s music score significantly enhances the film, and Balaji Subramanyam’s cinematography is admirable. The production values meet the expected standards.
Verdict:
In conclusion, “Chinna” offers a partially engaging thriller drama with outstanding emotional performances from Siddharth and Sahasra Sree, along with an impactful score by Vishal Chandrasekhar. However, the film is hampered by a slow-paced first half, a few superfluous scenes, and a somewhat predictable storyline. It’s worth a watch, but keeping expectations in check is advisable.
