Cheekatilo Review: Sobhita Dhulipala Shines In A Moody Telugu Crime Drama Driven By Empathy
Cheekatilo (In the Darkness), a Prime Video Original Film, is directed by Sharan Kopishetty and contains two themes. It can be interpreted on a surface level as an action/thriller based primarily on a whodunnit style framework, but on a deeper level, it serves as a catalyst for thoughtful commentary about social issues related to trauma, violence, and the need for society to stop staying silent about these issues. The film contain uneven elements of a thriller, there is also the film's emotional centre (supportive, restrained, and effective Sobhita Dhulipala performance), which is where the film really succeeds.
The films narrative centres on Sandhya Nelluri (played by Sobhita Dhulipala), a television anchor for a crime show (and has an episode depicting a true crime) who has difficulty relating to her station. She becomes disgusted with her employer for their choice of using sensational stories that have all but taken away from her love of being an anchor, which pushes her towards trying to see crime through an empathetic lens. Following the tragic death of her best friend, Sandhya turns to a profession as a private investigator to pursue justice. She produces a podcast chronicling her investigation process and finding justice for the loss of her friend to provide closure for herself. Throughout this journey of discovery, many hidden secrets will come to light and she will struggle to cope with the loss of her friend as well as confront some of her own unresolved familial issues, particularly her relationship with her mother.
The atmosphere and tone of this film are perhaps its strongest assets. The low-lighting used by cinematographer Mallikarjun creates an atmosphere for developing emotional trauma as well as a visual texture to view the events in the film. Sobhita shows an unpretentious and realistic view of the character Sandhya. She delivers an altogether unembellished performance, displaying a quiet strength and a firm control over her emotions throughout the film. The character of Amar is played by Vishwadev Rachakonda and provides a strong, warm contrast to the emotionally charged character of Sandhya that he interacts with.
Also Read: Zakir Khan Announces Long Break From Comedy Till 2030, Cites Health Reasons During "Papa Yaar" Tour
The characters of Aamani and Jhansi also assist in providing additional character development, but at this point, it appears that Jhansi will be a mother who prefers her higher social standing and the likelihood of remaining silent to expressing her feelings. Even though the investigative side of the movie was unfortunate, because it did not have that dealer-quality excitement, it still had typical clichés and ingredients that fall into the crime genre, including a cold-case file, crime patterns, and false leads. Therefore, without the proper buildup, the ultimate revelation of the movie fell flat and did not provide a proper conclusion.
Cheekatilo will appeal to people seeking to improve their wellbeing through film. This film depicts a side of humanity that is very much different from the sensationalist portrayal given to us in many action-thrillers today. A core component of the movie is the story's pushing for a positive approach to what it means to be human. All cast members brought to their roles an emotional quality and passion that added a different feel to the entire presentation, along with an unmistakable concentration on healing as the message throughout. Those viewers who appreciate a more uplifting perspective on humanity will be receptive to and will connect with this film.
