Film: Operation Valentine
Director: Shakti Pratap Singh Hada

Cast: Varun Tej, Manushi Chhillar

Producers: Sony Pictures International Productions & Sandeep Mudda

Music Director: Mickey J Meyer
Cinematographer: Hari K Vedantam
Editor: Navin Nooli

Banner: Sony Pictures International Productions, Renaissance Pictures
Release Date: March 1, 2024

iQlik Movies Rating: 2.5/5

Operation Valentine marks a significant milestone as the first Telugu aerial action drama featuring Varun Tej's debut in Bollywood. The film is set against the backdrop of the Pulwama incident and garnered attention, drawing comparisons to the Bollywood film "Fighter," which shares a similar theme. The film's review is out, so check it out here.

Story:
The narrative centers on Arjun Rudradev (Varun Tej), a determined and aggressive squadron leader in the Indian Air Force. Set against the backdrop of the 2019 Pulwama attacks, the film depicts the Air Force's retaliatory mission, dubbed 'Operation Valentine.' The story unfolds to reveal Rudra's pivotal role in this operation.

Performances:
In terms of performance, Varun Tej convincingly embodies the role of a fighter pilot, with apt body language. However, the emotional connection with the audience remains elusive. Manushi Chillar exhibits a good screen presence, yet the love story fails to resonate effectively. Navdeep's character, albeit dialogue-less, adds depth while supporting cast members deliver competent performances. The rest of the cast made their presence felt.

Technical Aspects:
From a technical standpoint, the film demonstrates decent craftsmanship. While Mickey J. Meyer's songs fail to leave a lasting impression, the background score is commendable. Cinematography enhances the visual appeal, and production values contribute to the film's overall quality. However, the director's weak screenplay results in an underdeveloped narrative that lacks impact on the screen.

Review:
While the film depicts key moments such as the Pulwama Attacks and the subsequent Balakot Air Strike, the emotional impact feels a little less but the film has been shot nicely. The film has got good content that itself will be engaging. Consequently, the war sequences in the second half become disorienting, resembling a video game rather than a visceral cinematic experience. Given that this genre is relatively new to Telugu audiences, connecting with the content proves challenging. On the whole, the film has got interesting elements which are enough to keep the audiences hooked. Operation Valentine introduces an exciting new genre to Telugu cinema and showcases Varun Tej's talent.

Plus Points:
Varun Tej's performance
Exploration of a new genre

Minus Points:
Weak storytelling and narrative
Lack of emotional depth
Impersonal war scenes

Final Verdict: A new genre with a lack of emotional depth!