Nagarjuna Akkineni likes to experiment with his films and often works with budding filmmakers. His latest outing Wild Dog is helmed by newcomer Ahishor Solomon and it is promoted as an action thriller. Here’s our review of the film.
Story: Wild Dog is based on a series of bomb blasts in Pune and Hyderabad following the horrific 2006 bombings at Gokul chat, Hyderabad. The home department assigns the case to NIA officer Vijay Varma who is nicknamed Wild Dog. Can Vijay and his team nab the terrorists? If yes, what are the challenges they face during the investigation?
What about on-screen performances?
Nagarjuna is fit as a fiddle. His one-man show is the main asset of the film. He excels as a ruthless NIA officer. Dia Mirza makes a brief appearance and she delivers a fine performance. Saiyami Kher is good and she performs particularly well in action sequences. Ali Reza, Prakash Sudharshan, and Appaji deliver excellent performances.
What about off-screen talents?
Realistic action thriller is a rarely used explored genre in Telugu cinema and Wild Dog is one of the very few Telugu biggies to fall under this category. The terrorist bomb blasts in Hyderabad form the core plot of the film and the director narrates the proceedings without any deviations. The story in itself is intriguing and packs a punch. But Ahishor Solomon’s screenplay could have been better. The first 30 minutes are solely dedicated for the establishment of premise and that could have been avoided to give the film a better start. The second half is filled with action sequences but there aren’t many thrilling elements.
Shaniel’s cinematography is very impressive and he gives the film a new feel with his brilliant work behind the lens. Thaman’s background score gels with the theme and elevates certain sequences. Editing is crisp.
What’s Hot?
- Nagarjuna’s performance
- Story and premise
- Pacy second half
- Action episodes
What’s Not?
- Slow start
- First half
- Lack of thrilling elements
- Bumpy narrative
Verdict:
Wild Dog is powered by Nagarjuna’s stunning performance and has a very good premise. But the screenplay should have been laced with more thrilling elements which can keep the audience on the edge of the seats. There is enough action in the film but thrills, not quite.
Watch or Not: Nagarjuna’s fans can give it a try
Telugubulletin.com Rating: 2.5/5
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Wild Dog is an upcoming action thriller film written and directed by debutant Ashishor Solomon. Starring Nagarjuna Akkineni, Dia Mirza, and Saiyami Kher. the film is produced by S. Niranjan Reddy and K. Anvesh Reddy under Matinee Entertainment.
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Second half report: Action episodes are good with some thrills…Review soon.
11.00 A.M: Finally, Vijay Varma and the team successfully completed their mission.
10.45 A.M: With high octane action sequence, Vijay Varma & the team finally nabs terrorist Khalid.
10.30 A.M: Vijay Varma and the team starts final secret operation to catch terrorist Khalid
10.20 A.M: Vijay Varma’s Kathmandu border operation scenes are shot well
10.00 A.M: The second half starts with one more blast in Hyderabad. Vijay Varma decides to do a covert operation to nab terrorists.
First-half report: Nagarjuna’s character and performance make the audience attached to the film. Investigation scenes are satisfactory. The second half is the key to the film.
09.40 A.M: Investigation scenes are going now. Vijay Varma and his team plan to nab the terrorists.
09.25 A.M: Nagarjuna’s investigation scenes are happening now. He gets a breakthrough in the blast.
09.12 A.M: Vijay Varma and the team start their investigation in the bomb blast case
09.09 A.M: Here comes a small flashback episode for Nagarjuna, which has an emotional touch.
09.05 A.M: Nagarjuna is introduced as NIA officer Vijay Varma, who is also known as Wild Dog. He is a ruthless officer, and the first mission action episode is shot well.
09.00 A.M: The movie starts with the Gokul chat and Pune bomb blast scenes
08.50 A.M: Nagarjuna Akkineni’s much-awaited spy thriller Wild Dog started with 129 Minutes run time