Cheekatilo Movie Review: Sobhita Dhulipala's Thriller Earnest Yet Rudimentary
Cheekatilo, the Telugu thriller streaming on Amazon Prime Video, marks Sobhita Dhulipala's return to Telugu cinema. Directed by Sharan Koppisetty, the film presents an earnest attempt at a mystery-thriller but ultimately feels uninspired and cliche-ridden, earning a rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars.
A Promising Premise That Lacks Depth
On paper, Cheekatilo (meaning 'in the darkness') seems tailor-made for Sobhita Dhulipala, known for her roles in Raman Raghav 2.0 and Made in Heaven. She plays Sandhya Nelluri, a news reporter disillusioned with the sensationalism of her popular crime show, 'Idi Ghoram'. Sandhya yearns to tell true crime stories with truth and empathy, but the TRP-driven television world rejects her pitch. Encouraged by office intern Bobby, she quits her plush job to launch a podcast, embarking on a new challenge.
The story begins with a decades-old murder in rural Andhra Pradesh, shifting to the present where a serial rapist and murderer is on the loose. His signature move: attacking women at night and placing jasmine flowers in their hair after killing them. Sandhya becomes personally involved when a dear friend falls victim, using her podcast, also titled Cheekatilo, to initiate an unconventional investigation.
Formulaic Execution and Weak Character Development
Released straight-to-OTT on Amazon Prime Video, Cheekatilo arrives when the true-crime genre is in a downturn after recent popularity surges. The film, with a crisp runtime of 126 minutes, follows a predictable path without attempting innovation or adhering neatly to genre conventions. This results in a lackluster effort filled with clichés.
The primary issue lies in the artificial world-building. The newsroom politics and pressures feel unrealistic, and Sandhya's transition to podcast host is implausibly quick and effortless. Her investigation into the serial killer's activities seems too convenient, with evidence collection and risk-taking that defy believability. The film mechanically checks off thriller tropes instead of creating an authentic milieu.
Consequently, characters suffer from formulaic writing. Vishwadev Rachakonda, as Sandhya's fiancé Amar, predictably oscillates between supportive and annoyed without substantial purpose. Ravindra Vijay portrays a stereotypical evil politician, while Chaithanya Krishna's upright police officer, Rajeev, feels paper-thin. Notable actors like Jhansi, Sri Lakshmi, Aamani, and Suresh are given minimal challenges, with Vadlamani Srinivas offering a slightly more exciting role but limited impact.
Sobhita Dhulipala's Performance and Emotional Core
Sobhita Dhulipala, however, delivers a nuanced performance as Sandhya, a character grappling with past trauma. Flashbacks reveal a haunting incident in a crowded movie theatre, where Sandhya experiences molestation—a common reality for many women. Writers Sharan Koppisetty and Chandra Pemmaraju use this as the film's emotional anchor, with Sandhya finding resonance in the victims' experiences she investigates.
This emotional connection forms the core of Cheekatilo, suggesting that darkness isn't just a backdrop for crimes but also a refuge from further harm. The title gains complexity through this theme, though the writing fails to extract sufficient drama from the underlying intensity.
Narrative Shortcomings and Missed Opportunities
The narrative feels stunted, preventing scenes from breathing or reaching their full potential, which affects the film's overall tone. As a mystery-thriller, Cheekatilo relies on mood and temperament, but it meddles too much, lacking a distinct personality. Instead of soaring, it dispenses meek thrills amid fleeting promises.
Sobhita Dhulipala's earnest efforts and Sricharan Pakala's background score provide occasional lifts, but the film doesn't achieve the heights it could have. Cheekatilo remains an uninspired entry in the thriller genre, failing to chart a new path or excel within established conventions.
Cheekatilo movie cast: Sobhita Dhulipala, Viswadev Rachakonda, Chaitanya Visalakshmi, Esha Chawla, Jhansi, Aamani, Vadlamani Srinivas, Ravindra Vijay
Cheekatilo movie director: Sharan Koppisetty
Cheekatilo movie rating: 2.5 stars
