What’s it about?
An upright police officer Pothuraj Veera Shankar (Ravi Teja) gets transferred from Kurnool to Kadapa. Another police officer warns the local rowdy to leave Kadapa before Shankar enters the city. He also suggests the rowdy of meeting Kathari Srinu (Samuthirakani), who is serving a prison term, to know more about Shankar and his ways. Kathari Srinu then tells how Shankar put him in jail. But who is Kathari Srinu, and what was Shankar’s fight with him?
Analysis
Set in the backdrop of Ongole in Andhra Pradesh, ‘Krack’ is a cop drama based on some real incidents that took place in the region some years ago. Our filmmakers have cracked a successful formula for police stories – the hero as an honest cop with eccentric behavior, powerful local villain, and the rustic backdrop. Director Gopichand Malineni, who is also credited with the story and screenplay, has faithfully adhered to this formula.
Gopichand Malineni also has taken inspiration from Atlee in packaging this drama as he borrowed some ideas from the Tamil director’s Vijay starrer ‘Theri’ (Policodu).
But Malineni’s obvious focus and intent are to tell us about the Ongole incidents, the characterization of Kathari Srinu, which is said to be based on a real rowdy, showing the gruesome method of murders in that region. Knowing well that the tiny thread might not make an engaging watch for the audience, nor does it elevate heroism, he has presented the film with a voice-over telling us that a mango, a rupee note, and a steel spike have changed the course of this story. Thus he got a chance to get our attention.
Despite lousy family sequences involving Shruti Haasan, Ravi Teja, and a kid (played by the director’s son), with the 80’s jokes, the film sustains the interest due to the aforementioned factors. However, it doesn’t take much time to fall on the regular track when the story comes to the direct faceoff between the hero (Shankar) and the main villain (Kathari Srinu). Also, it gives a feeling of getting dragged on.
Rather than banking on the script, Gopichand Malineni has relied on stylized action episodes and visuals. The filming of the Ongole bus stand fight is sure does bring whistles in the theaters. GK Vishnu’s camerawork stands out here. The film has largely focused on them, as the story is clichéd and regular. And as the story forwards, it runs on a predictable path. This is the main problem with almost all mass-masala films.
Coming to performances, it’s Ravi Teja’s show all the way. He is looking in his fittest avatar. He is at home playing the cop role. He has got a chance to showcase his histrionics, and he pulls them nicely. However, he seriously needs to pick up better scripts. Shruti Haasan in the role of Ravi Teja’s wife is there to fill the obligatory female lead.
Samuthirakani as Katari Krishna gets the full scope to deliver a first-rate performance. Varalakshmi Sarath Kumar has played such roles before as well. She is okay.
Among the technicians, cinematographers (GK Vishnu), and action directors need compliments. Thaman’s background score is another asset, though his songs are beat-oriented.
Bottom-line: As one song in the film says, ‘Krack’ is a potlam biryani: a mix of all expected masala elements. A regular commercial film with some well-choreographed action episodes.
By: Jalapathy Gudelli
Rating: 2.75/5
Film: Krack Cast: Ravi Teja, Shruti Haasan, Samuthirakani, Varalakshmi and others Dialogue: Sai Madhav Burra Music: Thaman S DOP: G.K. Vishnu Producer: B.Madhu Written and directed by: Gopichand Malineni Release Date: Jan 09, 2021
