Some of the early portions could have done with a tighter edit. But the film gets into top gear when the cat and mouse game begins. It also helps that director and writer Hussain Sha Kiran creates a formidable antagonist who cannot be easily defeated. The absence of romance and songs also makes the film tight.
Starcast: Sree Vishnu, Veer Aaryan, Reba Monica, Baby Uha, Sudharshan and others
Genre: Thriller/drama
Writer and director: Hussain Sha Kiran
Producers: Sandeep Gunnam and Vinay Chilakapati
Cinematography: Vidya Sagar Chinta
Music: Kaala Bhairava
Running time: 2 hours
Production companies: Light Box Media and Picture-Perfect Entertainment
Sree Vishnu’s latest Mrityunjay bears a striking resemblance to Trivikram Srinivas’s Julayi. Much like that movie here too the hero and villain trying to outsmart each other plays a crucial role. For a film of this nature, it’s necessary that the viewers feel the tension on how the antagonist will be defeated. Hussain Sha Kiran aces this aspect with powerful mind games. Yes, the writing needed to be tighter in some places but there is no denying that Mrityunjay grips the viewers. After a series of lighthearted films Sree Vishnu showcases a refreshingly different facet of him this is something which I will get to later.
The early portions of Mrityunjay establishes the work of Sree Vishnu’s Jay. Jay’s job is securing obituary ads for a newspaper however his ambition is something else. But this is not happening due to some reasons. However, things take a dramatic turn when Jay notices something unusual on his routine of getting an obituary ad. How this leads to a clash with the mysterious killer (a formidable Veer Aaryan) forms the core of Mrityunjay.
A strong aspect of the movie are the characterizations of both Sree Vishnu and Veer Aaryan. Sree Vishnu in particular surprises the viewers with a solid act. He portrays the vulnerability and determination of Jay in an excellent manner. A good example of Jay being vulnerable is the scene where everything appears lost. A sense of frustration is palpable when Sree Vishnu says that he is fighting a villain who operates from the shadows and is not visible. There is also a good emotional thread connected to Baby Usha. Jay’s reason for getting into an investigative mode is majorly connected to this. Sree Vishu aces this part as well. Overall, it’s refreshing to see the actor explore a different side of him.
Veer Aaryan does not have many dialogues, but he brings in an understated villainy. He plays the role with the right amount of menace and a mysterious air. The actor especially shines in the climatic portion.
Reba Monica as the police officer also makes her presence felt. She pulls off the no nonsense nature well, also she looks stylish in a mini action sequence firing gun. Having said that her character could have been a more active participant. Among the rest Sudharshan as one of Jay’s friends plays his part with practiced ease.
Kaala Bhairava’s background score also adds to the thrills. The BGM is especially striking in the tense sequences like the portion involving a market yard. The cinematography of Vidya Sagar Chinta is first rate too. His finesse is very visible in the interval and climax. The eerie atmospherics in these sequences enhance the proceedings.
Coming to the flaws the writing could have been more logical given the genre of Mrityunjay. The way Jay finds out clues on some occasions comes across as too implausible. Also, the police characters become more of bystanders depending wholly on Jay.
Final word: Mrityunjay is a good watch for fans of crime thrillers in spite of some implausibility’s.
