Sonu Sood – Rigobertha Reviews

On more than one occasion the movie feels like an extension of the actor’s real life messiah image. The best part of Fateh is how Sonu Sood presents the vast network of cyber crime targetting the lower section of the society which are more gullible.

Fateh (Hindi), 10-01-2025,Action, Drama,2 hours 10 minutes, U/ A, Theatre

Main Cast: Sonu Sood, Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Raaz, and Jacqueline Fernandez
Director: Sonu Sood
Producer: Sonali Sood and Umesh KR Bhansal
Music Director: John Stewart Eduri
Cinematography: Vincenzo Condorelli
Rating: 3.5/5

Online scamming is a very prevalent issue in today’s times. A major reason being the rapid growth of technology.

The advent of cell phones and the things related to them have had advantages and disadvantages in equal numbers. Sonu Sood’s directorial Fateh focuses on the huge network of cybercrime which is leading to many deaths and families falling apart.

This topic is presented in the form of a hardcore action movie, with elements of Hollywood action movies and Korean slashers.

Synopsis

Sonu Sood plays the titular role of Fateh- a former agent who worked as a contract killer for the government.

Now he is leading a quiet life in a place called Monga set in Punjab. However, Fateh is forced to come out of retirement when a girl close to him goes missing.

This girl was trying to unravel some important truths about fake loans and people being harassed to pay back the money with huge interest.

Fateh Singh goes to Delhi to unravel the mystery but the web turns out to be much more complicated than what he had imagined. The main figure behind the dangerous global scam is Raza ( Naseeruddin Shah). Aiding Raza is Vijay Raaz’s Satya Prakash and Dibyendu Bhattacharya’s Nishit Biswas.

What works and what doesn’t

Fateh is an action thriller — ‘Fateh’ is an action thriller. (X)

The best part of Fateh is how Sonu Sood draws the viewers into the extremely dangerous network of cybercrime. How Raza and co make a certain section of people an easy target and how these end up believing these fake loans sends a chill.

Apart from the fake loans angle the movie also touches upon hacking into other people’s systems and the current trend of deepfake. At one point Sonu Sood’s face is swapped giving the impression that he is the man behind the crimes going on.

The movie also works because of the fast-paced narration with no unnecessary distractions. The love angle between Jacqueline’s Khushi is understated and more importantly, it has been smartly integrated. Jacqueline’s character is a hacker herself but an ethical one.

She plays an important role in aiding Fateh. In this process, you have some much-needed light moments.

Coming to the flaws, Fateh has a paper-thin story, and as viewers, you can guess where the proceedings are headed after a point. The overdose of blood is also not everyone’s cup of tea, and a section of the audience might feel a certain fatigue, too, given that last year’s Kill also belonged to the same terrain.

Technical aspects

The movie’s cinematography is also of a high standard. Vincenzo Condorelli does a wonderful job of contrasting the brutal violence with an almost serene backdrop. The interesting use of light and shadow is very striking.

Among the songs, “Ruaa Ruaa Fateh” makes a major impact. This song plays out on more than one occasion giving an emotional depth to the proceedings.

The action sequences by nature are very brutal; one particular scene feels like an extension of Animal’s explosive pre-interval sequence. Still, the fight sequences are a treat for those who like hard-core action involving a lot of bloodshed.

Performances

Sonu Sood in Fateh — Sonu Sood in ‘Fateh’. (X)

As Fateh, Sonu Sood does a very fine job balancing the calm exterior with the brute force. His portrayal of a tortured hero both physically and emotionally strikes an emotional chord. What also works as an added advantage is Sonu Sood’s real image where the actor has been much appreciated for great work during the harrowing COVID.

Jacqueline Fernandez’s presence works as a perfect contrast to Sonu Sood’s smouldering intensity.

Both Vijay Raaz and Naseeruddin Shah don’t have a lot of screen time nevertheless being the exceptional actors they are both make their presence amply felt. Naseerudin Shah brings in a nuanced menace making the viewers dread Raza whenever he comes on screen.

Vijay Raaz as the equally dangerous sidekick brings his own brand of dark humour. Talking about the humour part Sonu Sood’s character has shades of dry humour like the scenes where he offers tea to the villains before knocking them out.

Final take

To sum it up Fateh is a treat for fans of hardcore action and of course the many admirers of Sonu Sood thanks to his recent social work.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/fateh-movie-review/

Koratala Siva is a director who is known for taking social backdrops and giving them a commercial garnishing. It is a formula that paid rich diligence in films like Mirchi and Janata Garage. Here too you have the trademark Koratala Siva elements. There is naxalism and uranium mining among other aspects. The fights and the dances are also there but the missing link here is a solid base that binds the story together. The first half in particular is a big drag where nothing much happens. The second half is definitely far better but that is not enough to salvage the film.

The plot of Acharya revolves around a town with a mythical past. You have two settlements Dharmasthali and Paadaghattam. Both of them are surrounded by dense forests and a sparkling river. Mahesh Babu’s voice over at the start gives the audience an understanding of the town’s past. Now Dharmasthali has become Adharmasthali after Ramcharan’s Siddha disappeared from there.

ACHARYA HAS THE ELEMENTS BUT THE MIXING HAS GONE TERRIBLY WRONG. IT IS HIGH TIME THAT FILMMAKERS RETHINK ON WHAT THEY ARE MAKING IN THE NAME OF TWO HERO CINEMA.

Sonu Sood is once again the dreaded antagonist. But it is hard to imagine him as a villain particularly after the humanitarian work that he did during the first wave of COVID.

Jisshu Sengupta plays another forgettable part after last year’s Shyam Singha Roy.

Coming back to the story the people of Dharmasthali are waiting for a savior who will restore dharma. It is at this juncture that Chiranjeevi’s Acharya enters the town. The rest of the plot is about what the connection between Acharya and Siddha is, and how dharma is restored.

THE SCENES FEATURING THESE TWO ARE GOOD TO WATCH. THEY ARE IN PERFECT SYNC WITH EACH OTHER.

The lifeline of Acharya is without a doubt the back-story of Ramcharan and his connection with Acharya. The scenes featuring these two are good to watch. They are in perfect sync with each other, whether it is the stunt sequences or the dance number Bhale bhale Banjara. The song is no Natu Natu but still it is fun to watch them shaking a leg.
There are certain moments in the film where you can see Chiranjeevi’s eyes swell with pride. This happens particularly in the scenes where Ramcharan’s Siddha holds forth on what is right and wrong, and goes to any length to save someone of his ilk. Putrotsaaham.

As Siddha Ramcharan once again delivers a formidable performance, his growth from a boy in Gurukul to the eventual transformation is well etched. There is a scene towards the end of the flashback regarding Ramcharan’s character. It is a moment that will make you feel emotional.

As Acharya Chiranjeevi shows that he has still got it in him to play a leading man. The intensity and the screen presence are still very much there. His dance moves are also fluid.
The sets of Dharmastali are visually grand. The art work and the cinematography are a feast to the eyes.

THE BIGGEST MINUS OF ACHARYA IS THE LACKLUSTER FIRST HALF.

The biggest minus of Acharya is the lackluster first half. Nothing much happens after setting up the plot. Acharya’s interactions with the people are nothing great.

The characters of the town people on either side has been hardly explored by the director, they are used as props to elevate Chiranjeevi.

As a result it is difficult to feel any emotion for the suffering that they are undergoing. This is sad because you have a bunch of talented actors like Tanikella Bharani and Ajay but they are wasted.

POOJA HEDGE PLAYS AN EXTENDED VERSION OF WHAT ALIA BHATT DID IN RRR.

The love story between Ramcharan and Pooja Hegde is also done in a haphazard manner. The chemistry is good but you don’t root for the couple.

Pooja Hedge plays an extended version of what Alia Bhatt did in RRR. She is beautiful to look at but you will forget her character as soon as the movie is finished.

The villains are poorly etched; they are no match for the mega duo.

In a nutshell Acharya has the elements but the mixing has gone terribly wrong. It is high time that filmmakers rethink on what they are making in the name of two hero cinema.

Tag: Sonu Sood

Fateh review: Sonu Sood’s directorial debut is a good mix of action and focus on cybercrime