V (film)

V is a 2020 Indian Telugu-language action thriller film[3][4] written and directed by Mohana Krishna Indraganti and produced by Dil Raju under the banner of Sri Venkateswara Creations. The film stars Nani, Sudheer Babu, Nivetha Thomas and Aditi Rao Hydari along with Vennela Kishore and Tanikella Bharani in supporting roles. It marks Nani's 25th film as a lead actor, in which he plays an antagonist for the first time.[5][6][7] The film's storyline is about a showdown between a celebrated cop and a serial killer who challenges the former to nab him results in consequences.

V
Release poster
Directed byMohana Krishna Indraganti
Produced byDil Raju
Sirish
Lakshman
Harshith Reddy
Written byMohan Krishna Indraganti
Starring
Music byScore
S. Thaman[1]
Songs
Amit Trivedi
CinematographyP. G. Vinda
Edited byMarthand K. Venkatesh
Production
company
Distributed byAmazon Prime Video
Release date
  • 5 September 2020 (2020-09-05)
Running time
140 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Budget₹25 crore[2]

Principal photography began on May 2019, after the film's official announcement, and was filmed across Hyderabad and some scenes in Thailand, before the shooting wrapped on January 2020. The film's score is composed by S. Thaman, with the soundtrack album being composed by Amit Trivedi. The cinematography is handled by P. G. Vinda and editing done by Marthand K. Venkatesh. The film was released on Amazon Prime Video on 5 September 2020,[8] to mixed reviews from critics, criticisng the writing, storyline and direction, although Nani's performance was praised. The film was re-released in theatres on 1 January 2021.[9]

Plot

DCP Aditya, a celebrated cop, handles a communal riot in Hyderabad. He is awarded a gallantry medal a year later, for solving various cases. The following night, Prasad, an Inspector, is grotesquely murdered by an unnamed killer who leaves a note challenging Aditya to catch him. Aditya suspects Apoorva, an aspiring crime novelist who he met the previous night, to have some link with the killer as she was in contact with Prasad. However, Apoorva only met Prasad for her research, during which she overhears Prasad telling a realtor named Mallik that their lives are under threat. Meanwhile, the killer calls Aditya, challenging him to prevent four more murders, failing which he shall give up his medals and resign. Aditya accepts the challenge.

On deducing that the killer's name starts with "V", Aditya arrests a person Vicky, based on the history between him and Prasad. Vicky tells Aditya about a man who enquired about Prasad and Mallik. On knowing Mallik could be the next target, Aditya rushes to save him, only to see that he is already killed. Killer this time leaves a clue hinting next location of the target. Aditya and Apoorva crack the clue and Aditya heads to Mumbai. There, the killer escapes narrowly, upon killing his target. He later sends Aditya an image of Aditya's school days, which makes Aditya suspect Vishnu, his fellow schoolmate, and a popular student-athlete. He learns from his school in Vizag that Vishnu is an ex-Army soldier with an impeccable record of eliminating terrorists. Aditya visits a colleague of Vishnu who tells their past.

Vishnu loved and married Saheba, who he met when he was off-duty. However, when Saheba is pregnant, Vishnu unable to get leave to visit her was forced to attend his duty in Kashmir. When Vishnu and his colleague are off to a mission, the bus they travel is bombed, falling into an adjacent river. Vishnu is last seen being washed away. Saheba too is killed in the communal riots which Aditya handled but there is no record of Saheba's death.

Confused Aditya upon investigation, learns that Saheba was last seen going to a jewelry shop to buy a gift for Vishnu who was supposed to return soon. Aditya tries to retrieve the shop's CCTV footage, but it's missing. Aditya suspects the manager and asks his team to follow him. And they trace out a lady who reveals them the conspiracy behind the riot. The lady ran a Girls hostel but she would pimp the girls, often by force. One night, a girl films her friend being raped and takes the video to a local don whom she believes would help him. But that don finds an opportunity to blackmail the Home Minister, whose son was among the rapists. The riots were conspired by the minister to kill the don and retrieve the video.

Aditya, who learns that people who are involved in the conspiracy are being killed, fails to protect the fourth target as well. The final target of the killer, the home minister's son, Ranjith is in Thailand. Aditya travels to Thailand to save Ranjith, but Ranjith is beheaded by Vishnu who leaves a note reading he shall meet soon. Later, Aditya resigns from his job accepting his defeat. The police save their face by blaming and killing an innocent pickpocketer named Vamsi and the case is closed.

Days later, Vishnu and Aditya meet where Aditya reveals that he indeed helped Vishnu by killing the guards of Ranjith, thus isolating him to be killed by Vishnu. He does so because his team is infiltrated on instruction to kill both Vishnu and Aditya. Vishnu tells Aditya that Saheba on the day of riots tried to save the girl with the video, only to be murdered by the goons. Vishnu, who was luckily saved after the accident, receives the video recorded and e-mailed by Saheba minutes before she was killed. He then decides to avenge her death. Vishnu initially believed that Aditya was also part of the conspiracy. But upon being impressed by his integrity, Vishnu hands over the video to Aditya, to expose the criminals. Aditya later releases it to the press and regains his reputation.

Days later, Apoorva writes a novel about the events, titled Saheba. Vishnu who receives a copy sees that it has been dedicated to "V".

Cast

Production

Development

Originally, Mohana Krishna Indraganti planned a sequel for his 2016 film Gentleman, with Nani and Sharwanand in the lead roles.[10] In December 2018, Dulquer Salmaan was later confirmed to star in the film soon after Sharwanand's exit,[11][12] but, however, he could not act in the film due to prior commitments.[13] The makers later approached Sudheer Babu to play the parallel lead role, marking his second collaboration with Indraganti after Sammohanam (2018). In March 2019, sources claimed that Nani's film is not a sequel to Gentleman, but a neo-noir crime thriller with a fresh script.[14] The actor was reported to play a character with negative shades,[15] whereas Sudheer Babu will be seen as a cop.[16]

In March 2019, Aditi Rao Hydari was reported to play one of the two female leads,[17] alongside Nivetha Thomas.[18] The film marked Aditi's second collaboration with Sudheer Babu and Indraganti after Sammohanam.[19] Nivetha Thomas too confirmed her presence in April 2019,[20] with Bollywood composer Amit Trivedi signed in to score music for the film, the very same month, marking his second Telugu film after Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019).[21] On 29 April 2019, the makers announced the titular poster of the film, being titled as V,[22] also marking Nani's 25th film, featuring him in a negative role for the first time.[23][24]

Filming

The principal photography on the film started in 3 May 2019 without Nani on sets, as he was busy shooting for the Vikram Kumar directorial Nani's Gang Leader (2019). The second schedule started on 12 June 2019 with Sudheer Babu and other artistes.[25][26] Sudheer alloted a call sheet of 30 days, for the second schedule.[25] Nani started shooting for the film on 11 August 2019.[27][28] In September 2019, filming location changed to Thailand where major scenes were shot with Sudheer Babu and Nani,[29] with the former being hurt while filming an action sequence.[30] The makers shot few action sequences at a forest located at Phuket, which was wrapped up in October 2019.[31] The shooting of the film was wrapped up on January 2020.[32]

Soundtrack
V
Soundtrack album by
Amit Trivedi
Released29 August 2020 (2020-08-29)
Recorded2019–2020
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length15:01
LabelAditya Music
ProducerAmit Trivedi
Amit Trivedi chronology
Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl
(2019)		 V
(2020)		 That is Mahalakshmi
(2020)
External audio
Audio Jukebox on YouTube
Singles from V
  1. "Manasu Maree"
    Released: 24 February 2020
  2. "Vastunnaa Vachestunna"
    Released: 10 March 2020

The film score is composed by S. Thaman. The soundtrack album is composed by Amit Trivedi, in his third Telugu film after Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019) and That is Mahalakshmi (2020), whereas the lyrics were written by Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry, Ramajogayya Sastry and Krishna Kanth. On 24 February 2020, coinciding with actor Nani's birthday, the first single "Manasu Maree" was released by Aditya Music.[33] The second single "Vastunnaa Vachestunna" was released on 10 March 2020.[34] The soundtrack album was released on 29 August 2020.

123Telugu reviewed "The album of V is quite modern and at the same time has a classical touch to it. The emotion and mood of the film are carried through the songs and Amit Trivedi has done a solid job with the songs. Manasu Maree and Vastunna Vacchestunna are already solid hits but the other songs are also good making this a foot-tapping album. You will like them, even more, when the film is out."[35]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Manasu Maree"Sirivennela Seetharama SastryAmit Trivedi, Shashaa Tirupati, Yazin Nizar4:28
2."Vastunnaa Vachestunna"Sirivennela Seetharama SastryShreya Ghoshal, Amit Trivedi, Anurag Kulkarni3:32
3."Ranga Rangeli"Ramajogayya SastryYazin Nizar, Nikhita Gandhi3:31
4."Baby Touch Me Now"Krishna KanthSharvi Yadav3:31
Total length:15:01

Release

The film was initially scheduled to release on 25 March 2020 coinciding with Ugadi,[36] but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic lokcdown in India.[37] On June 2020, Nani refuted rumours of a direct release, through over-the-top media services, and confirmed that the film is scheduled for a theatrical release.[38] In August 2020, the makers decided to release the film directly on a streaming platform,[39] after the uncertainitiy over the reopening of theatres, which were closed due to the COVID-19 lockdown.[40]

On 20 August, the makers officially announced that the film will be released through Amazon Prime Video on 5 September 2020.[41] The release date coincided with Nani's debut in the film industry, after his 2008 film Ashta Chamma,[42] which is also directed by Mohana Krishna Indraganti.[43] The film became one of the first major Telugu films, to be released directly on a streaming platform.[44]

Amazon Prime Video premiered the film eventually on 4 September,[8] ahead of the scheduled release date,[45] and it was dubbed in Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada, which had a release on the same day.[46] The makers re-released the film in theatres on 1 January 2021, coinciding with New Year's Day.[47]

Reception

Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu, wrote that "V could have benefited with a far more engaging story. As it stands now, it’s a pale story that doesn’t make you root for its prime characters."[48] Hemanth Kumar of the Firstpost, who rated the film 2.5 out of five, also noted "When you think about how the entire film unfolds, it feels like Krishna, the writer and director, has three stories to tell — one is the clash between the cop and the killer; the second is a revenge drama, with a big canvas but low stakes; the third is a commentary on the many social evils in the society. Only one of these stories is remotely interesting on screen. Perhaps, by the end of the film, you will figure out what that is. But when you do, you will feel like you have solved the puzzle without having to try too hard. That is the catch-22 situation that V finds itself in. It sets out to be a puzzle, but is also fairly easy to crack."[49]

Haricharan Pudipeddi of The Hindustan Times reviewed "V is a major misfire from Indraganti, whose intent to go big fails gloriously. For Nani, who had bet a lot on this film, it will go down as a big disappointment. If only Nani took some inspiration in storytelling from his last production venture HIT, a gripping investigative thriller, V could have been a far better film."[50] Manoj Kumar of The Indian Express granted the film 2.5 stars out of five and wrote, "Indraganti has gone the extra mile while writing scenes for Vishnu...However, Mohana doesn’t show an equal amount of love for other key characters", and gave a verdict "V is not the popcorn movie that we deserve but the one we need right now."[51] Janaki K. of India Today who also rated 2.5 out of five, wrote that "Director Mohan Krishna Indraganti’s V had a solid premise that could have been made into a slick thriller. With shortcomings in the screenplay, V doesn’t excite you as it intended to. Nonetheless, certain moments will make it an interesting watch."[52]

Neetishta Nyayapati of The Times of India, gave 3 out of 5 and wrote "Mohan Krishna Indraganti takes a gamble and tries to show that he can do more than make feel-good dramas. And the film he shows, despite the predictability, definitely has potential to be more. If only it rose beyond the usual tropes. This is not an unwatchable film by any measure, because it definitely has its moments that will make you want to know what comes next."[53] Gauthaman Bhaskaran of News18 gave the film 1.5 out of 5 stating, "The film lacks a thoughtful approach on the director's part. In its runtime of 140-minutes, V hardly offers anything to look forward to."[54] Baradwaj Rangan of Film Companion wrote "This super-predictable film, like V’s cigarettes, is a hash. It’s a movie about murders that’s impossible to take seriously. It’s a comedy of terrors."[55]

Indiaglitz gave 2.25 out of 5 and stated "'V' comes a cropper right from the word go. Besides being a casting nightmare, it is also an under-developed thriller that fizzles out after the big reveal."[56] Behindwoods gave the film 2.5 out of 5 and stated "Nani's 25th film V is a watchable thriller that could have worked well with better twists and surprises."[57] Sify gave the film 3 out of 5 and stated "'V’ is a revenge drama that has weak writing. Clichéd and predictable later portions have marred the mood."[58]

References
  1. "Nani and Sudheer Babu look kick-ass in the intriguing poster of 'V'; teaser on this date". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  2. "Nani's V Gets Biggest OTT Deal Of His Career?". Sakshi Post. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  3. "Sudheer Babu as the sa'V'iour". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 27 January 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 31 August 2020.CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. "Nani's Telugu action thriller V heads for direct digital release on Amazon Prime Video on 5 September - Entertainment News, Firstpost". Firstpost. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  5. "Nani's shocking and intense first-look from 'V'". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  6. "'There will be fireworks when I lock horns with Nani in Indraganti's next'". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  7. "Nani's look in his 25th film 'V' revealed". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 28 January 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 February 2020.CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. "Nani starrer V to release on Amazon Prime Video". Indian Express. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  9. "Nani's Telugu action-thriller V set for theatrical release in January, 2021". Firstpost. 24 December 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  10. Vyas (14 July 2018). "Nani & Sharwa In Gentleman Sequel?". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  11. ChennaiDecember 15, India Today Web Desk; December 15, 2018UPDATED:; Ist, 2018 17:02. "Nani and Dulquer Salmaan to join hands with Mohan Krishna Indraganti for a multi-starrer?". India Today. Retrieved 28 January 2021.CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. "Nani, Dulquer Salmaan to team up for a multistarrer? - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  13. "Dulquer not a part of Nani's multi-starrer?". The News Minute. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  14. "Mohan Indraganti reveals his next is a noir crime thriller! - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  15. "Nani might turn into an antagonist for Indraganti's multi-starrer? - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  16. "Nani and Sudheer Babu's roles in the Indraganti Mohan Krishna directorial revealed? - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  17. "Has Aditi Rao Hydari been roped in for Nani-Indraganti Mohan Krishna film? - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  18. "Aditi Rao Hydari signs Indraganti's multi-starrer opposite Nani? - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  19. "Aditi Rao Hydari to pair opposite Nani in upcoming Telugu flick". The News Minute. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  20. "Nivetha Thomas confirmed for Indraganti's multi-starrer with Nani and Sudheer Babu - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  21. "Bollywood composer Amit Trivedi roped in for Indraganti's multi-starrer? - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  22. "Aditi Rao Hydari, Sudheer Babu reunite for action-thriller V. See poster". Hindustan Times. 30 April 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  23. "Nani's landmark film with Sudheer Babu, Nivetha Thomas and Aditi Rao Hydari titled 'V' - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  24. "Nani-Sudheer Babu's film titled 'V'". The News Minute. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  25. "V (Nani 25): Nani-Sudheer Babu's film second schedule begins". The Times of India.
  26. "Sudheer Babu on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  27. "'గ్యాంగ్ లీడర్'గా నాని ఖేల్ ఖతం.. నెక్ట్స్ ఏంటో తెలుసా." News18 Telugu. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  28. "Nani joins the shoot of Mohan Krishna Indraganti's 'V' - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  29. "Nani is going to Thailand for the movie 'V'". Friday Clicks. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  30. "Sudheer Babu hurts himself while shooting an intense action sequence for V - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  31. "Sudheer Babu shares a jolly boat ride video of the V team - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  32. "Nani, Sudheer Babu, Nivetha Thomas, Aditi Rao Hydari's 'V' wraps up shoot - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  33. Arikatla, Venkat (24 February 2020). "'V' First Single: Sirivennela & Amit Trivedi's Magic". greatandhra.com. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  34. "Vastunna Vachestunnaa from V released - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  35. "Music Review : 'V'- A Foot Tapping Album". 123telugu.com. 3 September 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  36. AuthorTelanganaToday. "Nani's 'V' to release on March 25". Telangana Today. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  37. "COVID-19 hits Telugu cinema; Nani's 'V' postponed". Telangana Today. 14 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  38. "Nani reaffirms V's theatrical release". Telugu Cinema. 13 June 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  39. "Nani's V to have a direct OTT release soon? - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  40. "Confirmed! Nani, Sudheer Babu, Nivetha Thomas and Aditi Rao starrer V to hit OTT soon - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  41. "It's Official! Nani and Sudheer Babu's noir-thriller "V" to hit OTT on September 5 - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  42. "Telugu film V heads the OTT way, to premiere on September 5 on Amazon Prime". Hindustan Times. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  43. "Nani-Sudheer Babu starrer 'V' to release on Amazon Prime Video". The News Minute. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  44. "Nani's Telugu action thriller V heads for direct digital release on Amazon Prime Video on 5 September - Entertainment News , Firstpost". Firstpost. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  45. ChennaiAugust 20, Janani K.; August 20, 2020UPDATED:; Ist, 2020 14:56. "Nani and Sudheer Babu's V to release on Amazon Prime Video on September 5". India Today. Retrieved 28 January 2021.CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  46. "Nani's action-thriller out in Malayalam, Tamil and Kannada". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd.
  47. "Nani's Telugu action-thriller V set for theatrical release in January, 2021 - Entertainment News , Firstpost". Firstpost. 24 December 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  48. Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (5 September 2020). "'V' movie review: Undone by predictability". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  49. "V movie review: Nani, Sudheer Babu's battle of egos inconsistent and predictable - Entertainment News , Firstpost". Firstpost. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  50. "V movie review: Nani, Indraganti Mohana Krishna reunite for a colossal mess of an action-thriller". Hindustan Times. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  51. "V review: The popcorn movie we need right now". The Indian Express. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  52. K., Janani (5 September 2020). "V Movie Review: Nani is in terrific form in this unimaginative thriller". India Today. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  53. V Movie Review: Nani steals the show in this thriller, retrieved 28 January 2021
  54. "V Movie Review: It Keeps Running Into One Blind Lane After Another". News18. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  55. Rangan, Baradwaj (5 September 2020). "V On Amazon Prime Video, With Nani And Sudheer Babu: A Thoroughly Underwhelming Cat-And-Mouse Thriller". Film Companion. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  56. "V review. V Telugu movie review, story, rating". IndiaGlitz.com. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  57. "V (aka) V The Movie review". Behindwoods. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  58. "V review: A routine revenge drama". Sify. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.