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“Dilruba,” starring Kiran Abbavaram, Rukshar Dhillon, and Kathryn Davison, attempts to blend romance and action but ultimately falters due to a weak narrative and unfocused storytelling. The premise, involving an ex-girlfriend returning to help her former boyfriend reconcile with his current love, holds initial promise. However, debut director Viswa Karun struggles to translate this idea into a coherent and engaging film. Instead, the movie becomes cluttered with unnecessary subplots that span various genres, creating a disjointed and confusing experience for the viewer. The film's opening quote, intended to establish the protagonist Siddu's strong character, ironically foreshadows the problems to come. Siddu, played by Kiran Abbavaram, embodies the archetypal good-for-nothing hero often seen in Telugu cinema. He abandons his graduation after being dumped by his childhood sweetheart, Meghana, due to a misunderstanding. He resumes his studies only at his mother's urging and soon finds himself pursued by Anjali, portrayed by Rukshar Dhillon. The storyline quickly descends into a series of tired rom-com cliches. Anjali, the sole female student in a mechanical engineering course, becomes infatuated with Siddu after he rescues her from a college bully, Vicky, at a bar. Siddu is depicted as a man who cannot tolerate disrespect towards women but is also arrogant and unwilling to apologize or express gratitude. The film attempts to portray Siddu as a possessive lover, but his actions often come across as toxic and controlling. He makes derogatory remarks towards Anjali, even suggesting that he would "eat her up," and later subjects her to a humiliating test of her love by asking her to stand among a group of sex workers in the street. Disturbingly, these behaviors are romanticized, with Anjali affectionately nicknaming him "villain" and gifting him a bike with the word imprinted on it. A particularly problematic scene highlights the film's tone-deaf approach. To prevent Siddu's arrest, Anjali confesses to a police officer that Vicky had attempted to molest her and that Siddu had intervened. This "admission" is presented as a sacrifice, implying that discussing a sexual assault in public is a noble act to save a lover. This portrayal is insensitive and reinforces harmful stereotypes about victimhood and sacrifice. The conflict between Siddu and Vicky escalates, leading to the introduction of a drug lord named Joker. The initial scenes are poorly written and lack clarity, failing to advance the plot or provide entertainment. It becomes evident that the director is desperately trying to cater to the box office by blending action, humor, and romance in a haphazard manner. What starts as a simple rom-com transforms into a convoluted action saga, further diluting the film's core concept.
One of the most significant issues with “Dilruba” is its lack of focus and purpose. The characters lack depth and complexity, and the weak, bloated screenplay does little to support them. The subplot involving the drug lord and Vicky is exaggerated to an unbelievable extent, overshadowing the film's central idea of the ex-girlfriend helping Siddu and Anjali reconcile. The climax, which stereotypes factional violence in the Rayalaseema region, only adds to the chaos and confusion. Kiran Abbavaram, who showed some promise of learning from his past mistakes in his previous film, “KA,” disappointingly reverts to his old habits in “Dilruba.” His performance suggests that he still needs to mature as an actor and develop into a well-rounded entertainer. Rukshar Dhillon, a capable actress, is relegated to a decorative role without a distinct identity. Her character is underdeveloped and lacks agency, leaving her with little to contribute to the story. Kathryn Davison, as Siddu's ex-girlfriend, is given a more intriguing role within the romantic triangle. However, even her character suffers from a lack of depth, preventing her from fully realizing her potential. The film also wastes the talents of several experienced actors, including Satya, Aadukalem Naren, Thulasi, and Anand, who are given little to do. John Vijay, in yet another over-the-top and eccentric villain role, has become a tiring trope. Sam CS's soundtrack includes a few catchy tunes, but the overall score is inconsistent and reflects the film's messy nature. Viswas Daniel's cinematography, while not exceptional, is one of the better aspects of the technical crew, capturing the scenic landscapes of Mangaluru in a new light. Some of the action scenes have interesting concepts but lack proper context and execution. The film is visually appealing in places, but its technical merits are ultimately overshadowed by its narrative shortcomings.
Overall, “Dilruba” is a forgettable action-romance that is ultimately undone by its chaotic screenplay and its insensitive handling of a reasonably good initial concept. The film's lack of focus, poorly developed characters, and reliance on tired tropes make it a disappointing experience for viewers. The romanticization of toxic behaviors and the insensitive portrayal of sensitive topics further detract from its appeal. While the film may have had the potential to be a compelling and engaging story, it fails to deliver on its promise. The disjointed narrative, exaggerated subplots, and underdeveloped characters leave the audience feeling confused and unsatisfied. The film's technical aspects, such as the cinematography and some of the action scene concepts, offer glimmers of hope, but they are ultimately overshadowed by the film's fundamental flaws. The performances of the lead actors are hampered by the weak screenplay and the lack of character development. Kiran Abbavaram's portrayal of Siddu lacks nuance and depth, while Rukshar Dhillon is relegated to a decorative role without a distinct identity. Kathryn Davison, as the ex-girlfriend, has a more interesting role but is ultimately limited by the script. In conclusion, "Dilruba" is a missed opportunity that fails to capitalize on its initial promise. The film's chaotic screenplay, insensitive treatment of sensitive topics, and underdeveloped characters make it a forgettable addition to the Telugu cinema landscape. The movie's failure to deliver a cohesive and engaging story leaves the audience feeling disappointed and unsatisfied. The film serves as a reminder of the importance of strong storytelling, well-developed characters, and sensitive handling of complex issues in filmmaking.
Source: ‘Dilruba’ movie review: Kiran Abbavaram’s film is confusing than heartfelt