Movie: Prathinidhi 2
Director: Murthy Devagupthapu

Cast: Nara Rohit, Siri Lella, Dinesh Tej, Sapthagiri, Sachin Khedekar, Jisshu Sengupta, Udaya Bhanu, Ajay Ghosh

Producers: Kumar Raza Bathula, Anjaneyulu Sri Thota, Surendranath Bollineni

Music Director: Mahati Swara Sagar
Cinematographers: Nani Chamidisetty
Editor: Raviteja Girijala

Banner: Vanara Entertainments and Rana Arts
Release Date: May 10, 2024

iQlik Movies Rating: 2.25/5

Story:
NNC, a news channel founded by the renowned journalist Udaya Bhanu, aims to deliver truth to the masses. Udaya Bhanu, who appoints the principled journalist Chetan as CEO. Chetan fearlessly exposes corrupt political figures, leading to the assassination of CM Prajapathi. Who orchestrated this murder? What motivated the assassin? Did Chetan uncover the masterminds behind the assassination? The answers to these questions form the film's story.

Performances:
Nara Rohit's performance is impressive and his return to the screen is noteworthy, portraying Chetan's commitment to justice convincingly. His delivery of dialogues remains consistent throughout. Sachin Khedekar, Dinesh Teja, Udaya Bhanu, and Sapthagiri deliver decent performances in their respective roles. The inclusion of comedic relief by Sapthagiri, sequences surrounding the by-poll, and a satisfactory interval twist are good. The rest of the cast made their presence felt.

Technical Aspects:
While Mahati Swara Sagar's music and Nani Chamidisetty's cinematography offer average contributions, the editing maintains a brisk pace. However, subpar VFX work, especially evident in scenes with large crowds and the climactic airport sequence, detracts from the film's visual appeal. Director Murthy Devagupthapu's efforts to deliver an honest portrayal of political intrigue are evident. He did a good job in his debut. The film is technically strong.

Review:
The first half unfolds a familiar narrative in which the protagonist exposes political corruption. Despite its predictability, certain segments are executed commendably. The film's noble intentions and messages render the first half interesting. Sharp dialogues and brisk storytelling help transcend the film's conventional premise. The latter half disappoints, deviating from the initial focus on political corruption to delve into the CBI investigation of CM's assassination. The absence of a cohesive narrative flow diminishes the film's impact. The cliffhanger ending sets the stage for a potential sequel. Nara Rohit's compelling portrayal of a principled journalist clearly shows that the film is a winner.

Plus Points:
Performances
Dialogues
Direction
BGM

Minus Points:
Slow Pace
Second half

Final Verdict: A half-convincing Pratindhi!