Directed by Sailesh Kolanu and starring Venkatesh Daggubati, 'Saindhav' aims for emotional depth but falls short in its thriller elements. Let's dive into the world of SaiKo and the film's strengths and weaknesses
In the first hour, we are introduced to SaiKo, played by Venkatesh Daggubati. The film trusts the audience to believe in the myth behind this enigmatic character, but does it work? The answer is not a resounding yes.
Saindhav leads a normal life as a crane operator, emphasizing realism. The film makes a conscious effort to acknowledge the age difference between the senior actor and his on-screen daughter, played by Ssara Palekar
The character Manognya, portrayed by Shraddha Srinath, adds depth to the narrative. Her past, struggles, and sense of agency unfold, providing a well-rounded perspective to the story
A sense of restlessness pervades the narrative, blending Saindhav's personal mission to save his daughter with the sinister happenings in the drug cartel, including ammunition trading and power play
Saindhav's uphill task is to save his daughter, diagnosed with a rare condition requiring a costly injection. The film explores the intriguing premise of a retired hero on a mission
While attempting to balance action, emotional drama, and star appeasement, the film wobbles. The recurring 'SaiKo is back' statement overstays its welcome, and an overdose of slow-motion swagger affects the narrative flow
As the power games unfold among cartel members, including Mukesh Rishi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Andrea Jeremiah, and Jisshu Sengupta, the narrative resorts to spoonfeeding, explaining every move of Saindhav in detail
In comparison to Sailesh Kolanu's debut film 'HIT: The First Case,' 'Saindhav' could have benefited from a smarter approach, maintaining a balance between gripping action, emotional depth, and audience intelligence