Zebra Movie Review: A Decent White-Collar Crime Thriller with Strong Performances
Sarkar Rating: 2/5 Release Date : November 22, 2024
Cast
Satya Dev, Daali Dhananjaya, Sathyaraj, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Sunil Verma, Sathya Akala, Jeniffer Piccinato.
Crew
Directed Eashvar Karthic, Music by Ravi Basrur.
Producers :SN Reddy, Bala Sundaram, Dinesh Sundaram.
DOP: Satya Ponmar
Music Composer : Ravi Basrur
Editor : Anil Krish
Production Designer : N.Chinna
Zebra, directed by Eashvar Karthic of Penguin fame, is a white-collar crime drama that stars Satyadev and Dolly Dhananjay in lead roles. The film’s pre-release buzz was amplified by megastar Chiranjeevi, who attended the promotional event as the chief guest and praised Satyadev for his performance. With such a strong buildup, does Zebra deliver on its promise? Let’s dive in.
Storyline: A Game of Frauds and Survival
The story revolves around Surya (Satyadev), a relationship manager at a bank called Trust. Surya leads a seemingly simple life with his intelligent mother, his loyal girlfriend Swathi (Priya Bhavani Shankar), and his humorous best friend Bob (Satya). However, things take a drastic turn when Swathi gets entangled in a bank fraud involving Rs 5 crores while trying to resolve a smaller fraud case of Rs 4 lakhs.
To clear his name and protect Swathi, Surya finds himself up against the menacing Aadi (Dhananjay). The crux of Zebra lies in unraveling how Surya gets entangled in the fraud, Aadi’s motives, and how Surya navigates through these life-altering challenges.
Performances: Stellar Cast Steals the Show
- Satyadev: Delivering yet another versatile performance, Satyadev brings depth to Surya’s character, flawlessly portraying the emotional turmoil and resilience needed for the role.
- Dhananjay: Known as Dolly Dhananjay, he surprises with an impactful performance. His role as Aadi often feels stronger than the protagonist’s, with powerful dialogues and elevation scenes that cement his place in Telugu cinema.
- Satya: Providing much-needed comic relief, Satya shines with his impeccable timing, adding a layer of entertainment to the narrative.
- Supporting Cast: Sathyaraj amuses with his humor, Sunil impresses in an unconventional role, and Priya Bhavani Shankar adds glamour and emotional support to the story.
Technical Aspects: A Visual and Musical Treat
- Music: Ravi Basrur’s electrifying background score is a standout feature, elevating the film’s high-stakes moments.
- Cinematography: Satya Ponmar captures the visuals effectively, adding to the movie’s polished look.
- Editing: Seamless editing ensures that the parallel storylines are well-connected, maintaining the narrative flow.
- Production Design: The authentic recreation of the bank setting deserves special mention, enhancing the realism of the story.
Director Eashvar Karthic showcases significant growth from his debut film Penguin. His experience as a former bank employee adds authenticity to the banking elements in Zebra. However, while the screenplay is engaging, certain narrative choices lack clarity and emotional depth.
Analysis: Where Zebra Stumbles
Despite its strengths, Zebra falters in key areas:
Lack of Clarity in Banking Fraud: The fraud mechanics are glossed over, leaving viewers with unanswered questions.
Illogical Elements: A regular bank employee earning ₹5 crores in four days stretches believability, as does Aadi’s overpowering characterization.
Emotional Disconnect: The stock market subplot and rushed resolutions fail to evoke empathy or engagement.
These shortcomings prevent Zebra from achieving its full potential as a gripping thriller.
Verdict: A One-Time Watch with Entertaining Moments
While Zebra has its share of logical inconsistencies, it remains a decent thriller thanks to standout performances from Dolly Dhananjay and Satyadev, complemented by Satya’s humor and Ravi Basrur’s music. Though it misses the mark as a groundbreaking film, it still offers enough entertainment for a one-time watch.
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