Dacoit Movie Review: A Disappointing, Tiresome Love Saga

Director: Shaneil Deo
Rating: 1.5/5 stars

Noted actor Adivi Sesh, who impressed Telugu audiences with concept-driven films like Kshanam and Goodachari, picks a rather wafer-thin plot this time with Dacoit. Banking heavily on a love story between estranged lovers, the film struggles to sustain interest and ends up feeling stretched and outdated.

The narrative attempts to blend romance with social issues like caste discrimination and hospital exploitation during Covid times. However, these elements feel forced rather than organic, failing to evoke the intended emotional depth. The core plot revolves around a jailed lover who escapes seeking revenge, only to find his former lover in a completely different phase of life. Unfortunately, such a limited premise restricts the film’s scope and impact.

Adivi Sesh once again puts in sincere effort, but his performance turns out to be a mixed bag this time. His dialect and characterization don’t fully align with the narrative, and his transformation into a heroic figure doesn’t quite gel with the story. Nevertheless, his commitment as an actor remains evident.

Mrunal Thakur gets a relatively sensible role and delivers a neat performance, especially in emotional sequences. Despite the presence of strong performers like Prakash Raj and Anurag Kashyap, their roles are poorly written and underutilized. Their characters, which could have added weight to the narrative, end up being largely ineffective.

The film loses further grip when the story shifts to hospital corridors, showcasing exploitation by medical institutions during Covid times. These portions feel dated and disconnected, particularly for Gen Z audiences, making the narrative drag. Though the storytelling remains largely flat, the climax does manage to offer a few engaging moments.

The story follows Adivi Sesh’s character, a man in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. Through flashbacks, we learn about his relationship with a woman from an upper caste and the consequences he faced due to their love. After escaping from custody, the rest of the film explores what actions he takes next.

Cinematographer-turned-director Shaneil Deo, who co-wrote the story and screenplay with Adivi Sesh, starts the film on a promising note with a flashback. However, the narrative soon loses steam. The romance lacks freshness, the action feels routine, and the overall execution fails to engage, resulting in a film that ultimately falls flat.