What’s “Operation Valentine” about?
Arjun Dev (Varun Tej) creates Project Vajra, a tactic that involves flying at low altitudes to avoid being detected by enemy radar. But during testing, the strategy fails, resulting in the loss of one of the talented officers.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Khan orders the Indian Air Force to strike Pakistani terrorist camps in retaliation for terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 40 CRPF jawans. With no other choice, the IAF must choose to pursue Arjun Dev’s dangerous project Vajra.
Arjun Dev is confident that with his wife, Ahana Gill (Manushi Chhillar), who is also the radar commander, guiding him from the radar wing, he can successfully execute the task. Will Operation Valentine proceed as intended and what challenges do they encounter?
Analysis
Telugu cinema, as well as Indian cinema, has not explored air force dramas extensively. Bollywood has recently released “Fighter” in this category, while Hollywood has excelled in it with the iconic “Top Gun”. Varun Tej’s film “Operation Valentine” aims to fill a gap.
For those unfamiliar with movies such as “Top Gun” (1986) or “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022), this film offers a different experience. For others, it results in a disappointing experience. But viewing “Operation Valentine” as a Telugu film without making comparisons reveals its own merits.
An Arial action film must deliver exhilarating airborne adventures. Arial action films feature action choreography that takes place in the sky, unlike traditional action dramas. These types of adventures are only effective when they deliver the highest level of excitement. Patriotic films should evoke intense emotions and a sense of patriotism to be successful. Shakti Pratap Singh Hada’s film does not fully meet these requirements.
“Operation Valentine” starts off with a rough beginning but gains momentum with the sequence of the Pulawama attack just before the intermission. The later part, featuring the Indian Airforce’s aerial strikes and Operation Valentine, captures and maintains our attention.
Though I wish the writers had focused more on the emotional impact and given the main characters more room to breathe, the movie honors the bravery of our Air Force heroes on the front lines and the difficulties they faced while fighting one of the fiercest aerial attacks India has ever seen.
As an Air Force wing commander, Varun Tej is a perfect fit, and he delivers a convincing performance. Emotional sequences are another area where he is good at. Manushi Chhillar is okay. Varun and Manushi lack required chemistry for the lead pair. Ruhani Sharma is wasted.
Cinematography by Hari Vedantam is first rate. The action sequences, particularly the aerial combat and airstrikes, are shot well. The score by Mickey J. Meyer is not striking enough.
Bottom line: “Operation Valentine” is the first aerial action film made in Telugu and in that regard, it offers something freshness. The second half is fairly engaging thanks to Varun Tej’s convincing performance and the film’s decent visuals. But the emotional and patriotic scenes are its weak spots and the dull first half is another minus.
Rating: 2.75/5
Film: Operation Valentine
Cast: Varun Tej, Manushi Chhillar, Ruhani Sharma, Navdeep, Paresh Pahuja, Shataf Figar, Lahari and others
Screenplay: Shakti Pratap Singh Hada, Aamir Khan, Siddharth Rajkumar
Dialogues: Sai Madhav Burra
Music: Mickey J Meyer
DOP: Hari K Vedantam
Editor: Navin Nooli
Production Designer: Avinash Kolla
Action: Vijay
Producers: Sony Pictures and Sandeep Mudda
Directed by: Shakti Pratap Singh Hada
Release Date: March 01, 2024
