Ashwin Babu’s “Shivam Bhaje” REVIEW

Story:
Chandu (Ashwin Babu), a loan recovery agent, falls in love with Sailaja (Digangana Suryavanshi), but his life takes a dark turn when he loses his eyesight due to an unexpected incident. After an operation restores his vision, Chandu suspects foul play related to the murders connected to Binary Chemical Pvt Ltd. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a complex web involving motives, killings, and international links to China and Pakistan. The film promises to unravel the truth behind Chandu’s ordeal and the mysteries surrounding the murders.

Pros:
Following Hidimba’s success, Ashwin Babu met expectations with a competent performance. Digangana Suryavanshi fulfills her role adequately, while Arbaaz Khan is solid as a policeman. Hyper Aadhi adds humor with his comedic timing. The supporting cast, including Murali Sharma and Tanikella Bharani, delivers their roles effectively, contributing to the film’s overall impact.

Cons:
Despite being marketed as a new-age divine suspense thriller, the film falters due to a weak script and poor narration. The storyline lacks engaging scenes and a coherent screenplay, often resulting in unintended comedy rather than suspense. While the director’s intentions are apparent, the execution fails to create gripping moments that captivate the audience. The divine angle is poorly developed, making the title feel disconnected from the narrative. Scenes hinting at a divine connection lack impact, and the film does not effectively integrate the potential threat from China and Pakistan, missing an opportunity to build suspense. Additionally, the romantic subplot and some comedic elements seem contrived, further diminishing the film’s overall appeal and effectiveness.

Technical Aspects:
As both writer and director, Apsar disappoints with a less engaging script and weak suspenseful narration. Better execution could have made the film more compelling. The background score by Vikas Badisa is adequate and enhances some scenes, while Dasaradhi Shivendra’s cinematography is satisfactory. Production values are reasonable, and Chota K Prasad’s editing is acceptable; however, trimming some scenes might have improved the overall viewing experience. Despite these elements, the film falls short of its potential due to issues with its core execution.

Verdict:
Overall, “Shivam Bhaje” is a half-baked thriller with a good plot. Despite fine performances from Ashwin Babu and Arbaaz Khan, the film’s weak storyline and ineffective screenplay fall short.

#Rating: 2.5/5

Director: Abdul Apsar Hussain
Starring: Brahmaji, Tanikella Bharani, Hyper Aadi, Arbaaz Khan, Ashwin Babu, and Digangana Suryavanshi
Music Director: Vikas Badisa
Cinematographer: Dasaradhi Shivendra
Editor: Chota K. Prasad
Producers: Maheswara Reddy Mooli