Review: Srikakulam Sherlock Holmes – Works in parts

Srikakulam Sherlock Holmes is the latest comedy-thriller released on Christmas 2024. Comedian Vennela Kishore takes on the title role in this film. Read on to find out how the film fared.

Story:

Om Prakash, nicknamed Sherlock Holmes (Vennela Kishore), a quirky detective from Srikakulam, is tasked with solving the murder of a young woman, Mary (Dokala Navya), in Vizag. With just seven days to crack the case, he identifies seven suspects, including Balakrishna (Ravi Teja Mahadasyam), Bhramaramba (Ananya Nagalla), Ramesh Patnaik (Prabhakar), and others. As he pieces together the evidence, the mystery begins to unravel. Who killed Mary, and how are these suspects connected to the crime? The answers form the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

Vennela Kishore takes on the lead role in this movie, delivering good comedic timing and effectively using the Srikakulam accent to connect with the audience. His mischievous behaviour is explained well in the second half, adding clarity to his character.

Ananya Nagalla does a commendable job in her role, portraying two distinct shades of her character convincingly. Some scenes might even frustrate viewers due to her character behaviour, which speaks volumes about her acting skills.

Raviteja performs adequately, while Prabhakar, Bhadram, Anish Kuruvilla, and others deliver within their character limits. The dialogues related to Srikakulam and the song highlighting the region are nice additions.

Minus Points:

Crime comedy thrillers generally require an engaging storyline with unexpected twists to keep the audience hooked. Unfortunately, this movie falls short, as the killer’s identity becomes predictable early on, especially for regular viewers of the genre.

The first half moves slowly, making it feel unengaging and directionless. While the second half picks up pace and provides some entertainment, the overall narrative lacks the grip needed for such a genre. Some of the comedy scenes are bland.

The storytelling feels ordinary, especially in the first hour, and the screenplay could have been tighter. The dubbing for characters like Anish Kuruvilla, Siya Gautham, and a supporting female character who shares a romantic bond with another woman feels mismatched, diminishing their impact and leaving their characters underdeveloped.

Technical Aspects:

Mohan makes an average debut as a director and writer. While the effort is evident, the movie lacks the depth and twists required for a crime comedy thriller.

The music by Sunil Kashyap and Gyaani is average, and the background score could have been more impactful. Mallikarjun Naragani’s cinematography is acceptable, and the production values are fine. However, the editing could have been much better, particularly in the first half.

Verdict:

On the whole, Srikakulam Sherlock Holmes is a crime comedy thriller that works in parts. Vennela Kishore and Ananya Nagalla deliver commendable performances, but the film struggles to maintain consistent engagement. A predictable storyline, a slow-paced first half, and underdeveloped characters weigh it down. Fans of the crime thriller genre might find it worth a try, but it’s best to keep the expectations low.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team 

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