INDIA: It’s game over for us if death dances in the street, but what if someone walks staggeringly eye to eye with death, insuring every addition in our breath? Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was that hero. He was not a superhero but a soldier who was more than that.
Reality is a brutal wonder in which the rules of rationality are rarely followed. As in fantasy, there are hardly any colored costumed spandex personas to woo the threats. Throughout and outside the country, the enemy lingers as a parasite. In fiction, a dead body is brought back to life by a sci-fi convention, a magical desire, or other means. However, a dead body lies motionless, and the cold steadily entraps the soul, despite life flashing in the front.
The biographical drama chronicles the life of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, an Indian hero who served in the National Security Guards’ elite 51 Special Action Group. In the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes, he was martyred in action by fearlessly eliminating all four terrorists.
Ensemble Cast:
Adivi Sesh embodies Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s life heroically, with himself in the forefront. Prakash Raj, as K. Unnikrishnan, brings a more grounded and emotional touch of a father. Revathi exudes the atmosphere of a kind and caring mother with her depiction of Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan. Reflecting her gorgeous demeanor as Isha Agarwal, Saiee Manjrekar fills the romance deficit. While imprisoned in the hotel as Pramoda Reddy, Sobhita Dhulipala reflects the horror of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Murali Sharma, as Commander Shera, exhibits a stern but loving character.
Major’s quest emanates to a close with top-notch acting and technical prowess
Sesh’s writing capabilities speak up the volume, spotlighting much of his prior work that excels in every way. His desire to pay homage to Sandeep Unnikrishnan manifests itself in the spectacular features of the film. Paired with Sash Kiran’s direction in the chair, Sesh’s vision results in an extraordinarily accurate biographical rendition.
Every individual establishes a fundamental tone on the screen, portraying the ideal feelings that amp up the events. Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s parents, Prakash Raj and Revathi, provide perfection to every level, from extreme amusement to emotional portrayal. Both feature high-octane emotional situations that culminate in Prakash’s speech, which appears to be a straight-from-the-heart performance. The most intriguing and, in reality, unseen side of them depicts the sacrifices made by the parents of soldiers while our heroes battle for the nation on the border.
Adivi Sesh brings Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan back to life through his impeccable writing and acting impressions. Sesh depicts our fallen Indian hero’s life with pride and bravery, reflecting his mastery of Indian spy thrillers and defense-based fiction. Saiee Manjrekar also contributes the high tones with her on-screen presence, where her presence enhances the first half, and she also adds more to the biopic in terms of character.
Vamsi Patchipulusu’s cinematography raises the bar by being basic and straightforward while still working in accordance with each character’s point of view. The slightly shakier camera angles in key shots add to the suspense beautifully. The second half focuses mainly on the tense scenario, with camera angles and well-choreographed action sequences serving as the highlighting aspect.
Sricharan Pakala’s BGM is a king in every word, carrying the entire story on its shoulders. The background score, which helps to enhance every scene, is one thing that sticks with you long after the climax.
Abburi Ravi’s dialogue writing talents also add to the complexity of the characters that serve as the film’s spirit. Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s character has a conversation with the media in which he says, “For you, life is more important than life.” This conveys the entire story in a single line. Also, when you realize it’s the actual dialogue that Major’s character quoted last, “Do not come up; I’ll handle them,” it gives you goosebumps.
The predictability of the narrative lowers the intrigue at times, and the muzzle shots seem to be jitterily mirroring the film’s slow character at moments.
Verdict:
The film pays tribute to Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s martyrdom. It serves as an appropriate homage that introduces us to the life of a legend, making it a must-watch for every Indian.
Transcontinental Times rating: 3.9/5
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