Not contemporary enough

Con dramas could easily be exciting and electrifying. One example was director Sudheer Varma’s earlier film ‘Swamy Ra Ra’ which was out-of-the-box and totally absorbing. As one enters the cinema hall to watch the second film of the same director but with a star cast, expectations are high. A belief that he will outdo the first does linger too. Well, if you are wondering if we’re satisfied, we’ll tell you in a bit.

Chandu (Naga Chaitanya) and his group of friends are thieves, conmen to say it stylishly. They seem to be making good money as all of them are very glad to join hands each time. In the midst is a parallel story of two robbers who have stolen a bank under the direction of Manikyam (Posani). Then there’s Chandu’s love track with Meera (Kriti Sanon) that progresses casually. We are also taken into a brief flashback. And ‘Dochay’ brings together all these stories and we are presented a tale involving money, chases, murders, hoodwinking, deceiving and duping.

‘Dohchay’ could have been an interesting flick, no doubt. It has all the trappings of a perfect enthralling con drama too. But director Sudheer Varma has tried to better his earlier flick so much that he presents to us a venture that clicks in parts and is disappointing as a whole. The first half is slow paced with the high points being a few surprises here and there. There’s an interesting twist towards the interval that will leave you in anticipation for the next part. The second half is where the viewer’s interest is built and a lot is happening. Chandu’s quick ideas and smart cons leave you in amazement.

But the problem is some of them seem too convenient and very unrealistic like the sequences towards the end where he uses a film studio to deceive Manikyam. Naga Chaitanya is in his element as the conman who gives no hoot to the people he is conning. He fits the role perfectly. Kriti’s character comes as a breath of fresh air. She plays a new age girl who smokes, can be a rebel, dresses like a boy, doesn’t become teary eyed after a break up and isn't hesitant to fall in love again. Sadly, the duo’s love track gives no dimension to the story and feels like a backdrop to the rest of the tale.

Other performances that catch the eye are Posani (who plays a non villainous villain), his assistants (comic relief) and Brahmanandam (the fading star). Sunny MR’s music does have oomph and is a definite deviation from the tunes we are used to. However, there’s a faint hangover of the tunes from ‘Swamy Ra Ra’, forming another weak link. The background score is goofy, fresh and completely in sync with the film’s mood. To sum it up, ‘Dohchay’ is a stylish film that manages to entertain in parts. That's it!

Movie Name : Dohchay

Cast : Naga Chaitanya and Kriti Sanon

Genre: : Heist

Direction : Sudheer Varma

Likes : Performances, music

Dislikes : Execution, screenplay

By Pranita Jonnalagedda