Review in pics: Virodhi

Cast: Srikanth, Ajay, Kamal Kamaraju, Shivaji Raja, Ravi Varma, Nagineedu, Ahuti Prasad, Vijayachander, Kamalini Mukherjee, CVL Narasimha Rao and others.

Credits: Music – RP Patnaik, Producer – Anil Meka, Story, screenplay, dialogues and direction – Neelakanta. Banner: Meka Media

Released on: July 1, 2011

The movie revolves around a journalist, Jayadev (Srikanth). As Jayadev interviews a corrupt politician embroiled in land-grabbing, Maoists attack and kill him.

The Maoists take Jayadev hostage in a bid to escape the crime scene.

The Maoists decide to use Jayadev as a human shield to ward off the police.

Meanwhile, in captivity, Jayadev tries understand the ideology and mindset of his captors.

Jayadev realizes that that the leader of the group is using these men to fulfill his personal ambitions.

The director, Neelakanta, dared to be different with an off-beat film and ends up with a credible, tightly-knit plot.

However, at times the film is too heavy. The music is average and most of it is background score, barring one song between the hero and heroine.

As the hero Srikanth is sidelined and doesn't have much to do in the film.

The film's attention is largely focused on the leader of the Maoists (Ajay). Ajay completely justifies his character and effectively portrays the negative shades.

Others, including Kamal Kamaraju and Ravi Varma, were insignificant.

Last word: If you are in the mood for a serious film, Virodhi is worth a watch.