Chandraprastha, a South Indian town gripped by the Cartel’s ruthless hand, teeters on the brink of chaos. Saindhav Koneru, a man haunted by a shadowy past, finds solace in a quiet life with his daughter, Gayathri. But their world shatters when Gayathri is diagnosed with SMA, a crippling disease with a ₹17 crore price tag. With time running out, Saindhav, a.k.a. Saiko, faces a brutal choice: embrace the darkness he left behind or watch his daughter fade away.
His journey takes him back into the underbelly, confronting his past demons and clashing with Vikas Malik, a ruthless Cartel kingpin (Nawazuddin Siddiqui). This isn’t just a fight for survival, it’s a desperate battle to save both Gayathri and Chandraprastha from the Cartel’s suffocating hold.
Review
Venkatesh Daggubati’s 75th film, Saindhav, directed by the HIT-maker Sailesh Kolanu, is a potent cocktail of action and emotion. It’s a grand Sankranti entry, boasting a stellar cast including Nawazuddin Siddiqui in his Telugu debut, Shraddha Srinath, Andrea Jeremiah, Arya, and Ruhani Sharma.
Venkatesh, fresh off successes like Rana Naidu and Narappa, sheds his familiar skin to embody Saindhav. He’s a compelling single father, fiercely protective of Gayathri and grappling with the darkness within. But it’s his transformation into the enigmatic Saiko that truly shines.
The first half sets the stage, introducing Chandraprastha and its inhabitants. While engaging, it occasionally falters in pacing and character development. However, the film gathers momentum towards the interval, where Saiko’s legend takes flight, sending shivers down spines and setting the stage for a thrilling second half.
Siddiqui is a revelation as Vikas Malik, his body language and bilingual dialogues adding layers to the ruthless gangster. The supporting cast, including Arya, Shraddha Srinath, and Ruhani Sharma, deliver strong performances, adding depth to the narrative.
Santhosh Narayanan’s music and score are a highlight, seamlessly blending emotional melodies with adrenaline-pumping rock during action sequences. Manikandan’s cinematography, Garry BH’s editing, and Kolla Avinash’s art direction contribute to the film’s visual appeal. However, the action sequences could have been more impactful.
Saindhav might not consistently hit the bullseye, but it’s a bold attempt at blending emotional depth with action. It’s a film with heart, packed with engaging moments and serving as a testament to Telugu cinema’s evolving landscape.