Chakra Review: A tepid cybercrime drama

What’s it about?

Many robberies happen on 15th August. Chandru (Vishal) comes to Hyderabad when his grandmother (KR Vijay) doesn’t lift his phone on that day. He comes to know that she is hospitalized when burglars attack her. Chandru’s former lover Gayathri (Shraddha Srinath) takes up the case of nabbing the thieves. 

Chandru’s mission is not only to find who the mastermind behind these robberies is but also to retrieve the Chakra medal, belonging to his father, that was stolen from his house. Chandru finds a hacker (Regina) is playing mind games. Will he nab her?

Analysis

‘Abhimanyudu’ starring Vishal as an army major was a commercial hit. The theme of the cybercrime world was told in a commercial format. Vishal’sChakra’ is like an undeclared sequel to ‘Abhimanyudu’. Not that the original was a great thriller, but at least it had riveting moments, some logic. This spin-off is an outright attempt to cash in on the success of ‘Abhimanyudu’ with no proper plot.

‘Chakra’ begins with a robbery. 49 robberies take place in Hyderabad city when the police force was busy with Independence day celebrations.

 The thieves also steal a Parama Veera Chakra medal from one of the houses, making way for the entry of army officer Chandra. The moment Vishal comes down to Hyderabad, the game turns completely his show. He is an army man, but he takes the charge of entire operation involving police officers. From an ACP to city police commissioner, all police officers operate on his command as if he is DGP of the state. 

It is silly and illogical to see an entire police force of the city work on the command of an army officer. Whatever he commands, the police officers do in seconds. He thinks faster than a computer. Regina Cassandra is introduced as a computer genius, who is an expert in hacking, who leaves no clues at the crime spot. But all that build-up goes for a toss after the interval, and she is shown as a regular villain.

Regina’s role is lifted from the female protagonist of ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’. So much hype builds up in the first half, but everything goes down in the second half, turning it a silly and mediocre thriller. After a point, the film completely loses steam.

Vishal looks stylish as an army officer. Shraddha Srinath plays a typical policewoman, that works on the male protagonist’s commands. There is no proper romantic track between them either. Regina pulls off her role as the villain. 

Among the technicians, Yuvan Shankar Raja’s background score and cinematographer’s work need mention. 

Bottom-line: ‘Chakra’ begins well, but after the so-much build-up, it runs in a predictable way.

By: Jalapathy Gudelli

Rating: 2.25/5