Zebra Telugu Movie Review
Rating: 2.75/5
Satyadev’s latest movie, Zebra, directed by Ishwar Karthik, is a money crime thriller. Kannada actor Dolly Dhananjaya plays another lead role in the film, which was released today. Let’s dive into the review and see how much the audience enjoyed this movie!
Story:
Surya (Satyadev) is a bank employee in love with his colleague Swati (Priya Bhavani Shankar). Despite being in love for five years, he lacks the courage to reveal it at home. Amidst dramatic developments, Swati gets entangled in a serious problem. To save her, Surya takes on a challenging task that leads him into a bigger mess—he must arrange five crores for Adi (Dolly Dhananjaya) within four days. How does an ordinary bank employee gather such a huge amount? What actions does Surya take for the money? What twists unfold in his life? The answers form the crux of the story.
Plus Points:
The film’s core concept is intriguing. Surya’s (Satyadev) character is well-established from the start. Satyadev’s performance, the money-related scenes around his character, and some comedic elements are definite highlights. The plotline of raising five crores in four days, combined with unexpected drama between the characters, keeps the narrative engaging.
Satyadev convincingly portrays Surya, handling even serious situations with commendable timing. Dolly Dhananjaya also shines in his key role. Priya Bhavani Shankar, as the heroine, justifies her role, while Sathyaraj, playing Baba, leaves an impression.
Comedian Satya’s dialogues and gestures bring humor to the narrative. Amrita Iyengar and the other supporting cast members also deliver solid performances.
Minus Points:
Although Ishwar Karthik’s handling of the premise and the lead roles is commendable, the story tends to drag in places. Some pivotal scenes lack logical coherence. The writing for the hero, villain, and heroine could have been more robust. For instance, the plot point of money mistakenly landing in someone else’s account could have been developed more effectively.
The movie misses an opportunity to delve deeper into Surya’s psychological state. How does an ordinary employee cope with the pressure of arranging five crores in four days? How does his behavior and mindset evolve under such circumstances? Such nuances could have elevated the narrative. While Ishwar Karthik successfully brings the script’s essence to life, some routine scenes fail to entertain.
Technical Department:
In terms of technical aspects, Ishwar Karthik is impressive as a director but falls short in the screenplay department. Music by Ravi Basrur is decent, with the background score working well in key scenes. However, the songs are average. Tighter editing, especially to trim unnecessary scenes, would have enhanced the film’s pacing. Satya Ponmar’s cinematography is commendable, capturing the mood effectively. Producers Bala Sundaram, SN Reddy, and Dinesh Sundaram deserve credit for the film’s high production values.
Verdict:
Zebra is a money crime thriller that stands out for its central theme, engaging drama between the characters, and strong performances by the cast, especially Satyadev. While the thrilling elements impress, the screenplay falters in parts, and the second half has some dull moments. Despite its shortcomings, the movie offers an engaging crime-and-suspense drama centered around money, making it a decent watch.