“Atharva,” featuring Karthik Raju and Simran Choudhary, has made its debut on the silver screen today. Let’s delve into the plot and examine the film’s strengths and weaknesses.
Plot Summary:
Deva Atharva Karna (Karthik Raju) aspires to become a police officer, but his asthma impedes his dream. Advised to join the Clues Team, Atharva takes on a role that harnesses his analytical skills to solve numerous cases. During an investigation, he encounters his college crush, Nithya (Simran), and their connection deepens. As the story unfolds, the mysterious death of Tollywood actress Joshni Huparikar (Ayraa Jain) and her boyfriend, Siva, becomes the central focus, leading to a gripping murder mystery.
Positives:
“Atharva” distinguishes itself by highlighting the significance of the Clues Team in crime investigations. The protagonist’s adept solving of cases in the first hour captivates the audience. Karthik Raju delivers a commendable performance, while Simran Choudhary and Ayraa Jain contribute effectively. The first half maintains a compelling pace, particularly after the murder of Joshni.
Negatives:
While the initial half is engaging, the second half encounters issues. The swift resolution of conflicts diminishes the overall interest, and the film becomes overly loud and dramatic, losing its subtlety. Poor dialogues, especially a lengthy monologue, feel out of place. Unnecessary songs negatively impact the film, with lackluster lyrics. The climax, portrayed through stock footage, falls short, and the sequel setup lacks promising cliffhangers.
Technical Aspects:
Sricharan Pakala’s music is decent, but lackluster lyrics contribute to boredom. Charan Madhavaneni’s cinematography is appealing, and the editing team performs adequately. Dialogue quality should have been improved. Despite engaging elements in the first hour, director Mahesh Reddy struggles to maintain narrative interest in the second half. The character development of Kabir Duhan Singh is lacking.
Verdict:
In conclusion, “Atharva” emerges as a partially successful suspense thriller that underscores the importance of the clues department. While the first half captures attention with gripping moments, the film falters in the second half due to an excessive focus on heroism, poor songs, and a weakened storyline.