Goodachari - Movie Review

Friday, August 3, 2018 - 13:15
Goodachari (2018)
Cast & Crew: 

Film: Goodachari
Cast: Adivi Sesh, Sobhita Dhulipala, Prakash Raj, Vennela Kishore, Supriya Yarlagadda, Anish Kuruvilla, Rakesh Varre, Madhu Shalini and others
Story: Adivi Sesh
Dialogues: Abburi Ravi
Music: Sricharan Pakala
Cinematography: Shaneil Deo
Editor: Garry BH
Production Design: Shivam Rao
Co-producer: Vivek Kuchibhotla
Produced by: Abhishek Nama, T G Vishwa Prasad, Abhishek Agarwal
Directed by: Sashikiran Tikka
Release date: Aug 03, 2018
CBFC Rating: UA
Runtime: 147 mins

What’s it about!
Arjun (Adivi Sesh) dreams of entering into India’s secret service agencies much like his father who was killed while he was fighting for the country in secret service operation. His uncle (Prakash Raj) who also worked with his father doesn’t want him to join the services and changes his identity from Gopi to Arjun to keep away from the glare of the adverse forces. Despite his uncle’s reservations, Arjun joins India’s Secret service team known as Trinetra and gets trained as officer Trinetra 116. He also falls in love with a beautiful psychologist Sameera (Shobita Dhulipala) who just moves right opposite his flat. Soon Sameera is killed and other killings of Trinetra team happen. Who is after Arjun? And why?
 
Analysis:
 
Spy thrillers are not common in Tollywood though Superstar Krishna did bond and agent movies like ‘Goodachari 116’ and ‘Agent Gopi’ in late 60’s and 70’s. Mahesh Babu’s ‘Spyder’ was horrible attempt at spy thrillers. Adivi Sesh has attempted this genre in terrific way. He has ‘Desi’fied the Hollywood spy thriller template by adding lot of homegrown elements and has mixed right emotion.
 
The story begins with a kid waiting for his father to return from his mission but “hears” the news of his killing by Al Mujahiddin. Immediately it is established that the kid is taking up his father’s path – joining I.B. The film’s initial moments focus on this child trying to step into the steps of his father. Father is his strength, he says. But India’s secret service agents tell him that he could become an agent only when he overcomes his weakness (father). Why so much focus on this thread? Well, this is called pay-off in screenplay writing. These are used in the later part of the movie to add more emotion.
 
The writing (script by Adivi Sesh himself) is terrific. India’s Secret Service (which for outside world doesn’t exist that directly reports to PM’s office) is named as Trinetra (Third Eye). The three I’s are – infiltrate, investigate and inform. All the operation and agents are constantly watched by the team. Thus ‘Trinetra’ has right name. This is like desi version of ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’. To be frank, the writing is not copy of Hollywood movies but like a tribute to the past spy thrillers. It also pays tribute to Krishna’s movies as Arjun’s real name is Gopi and he becomes ‘Agent Gopi’ (Krishna’s old movie) and his code is Trinetra 116 (Krishna did ‘Goodachari 116).
 
The film runs in usual template of a spy thriller but also throws many surprises. The biggest surprise is keeping the identity of the actor who played ‘Nanna’ in the movie. We are also not revealing his name here. The initial portions, the training that Adivi Sesh takes and his romantic thread with Sobhita make us tiresome but they all have a purpose and link in the later portions. The film’s interval is biggest surprise and it goes in engaging manner till the end.
 
The screenplay is quite racy and has enough twists and turns. Also the film comes up with great visuals despite making in limited budget. The director and cinematographer have worked in tandem here to bring authenticity.
 
The action choreography is also quite good – the clock fight in the later portion is superb.
 
The film is a little lengthy but it ends on right note by giving enough room for sequel. ‘Goodachari’ is a right attempt for homegrown spy series.
 
Adivi Sesh suits well to the role of agent. More than his performance, he impresses with his writing. Sobhita Dhulipala makes confident debut in Tollywood. Supriya as higher officer is superb. She fits the role perfectly. Anish Kuruvilla is good. But the film has terrific performances from two actors – Prakash Raj and the actor who played ‘Nanna’. After a long time, Prakash Raj has got best role and the seasoned artiste has added his mark. Vennela Kishore in a non-comedy role is a huge surprise too.
 
The film has quality technical output. Given the budget, cinematographer Shaneil Deo has brought out the best work from various locations. The camera work seen in Sikkim episode and the Chittagong episode is the best. Production design is perfect. Sreecharan’s background score is terrific.
 
Both Adivi Sesh (writing) and debutant director Sashikiran Tikka have pulled off to give us one of the best made homegrown spy thrillers. Their work is commendable.
 
Bottom-line: ‘Goodachari’ is quite an engaging and gripping thriller about secret service activities. A perfect tribute to old spy thrillers. This makes an engaging watch as it has many surprises and right emotion. The superior writing and making of the movie makes this one of the best thrillers in Tollywood though it has inspiration from some Hollywood movies. Watch it.

Reviewed by: 
J Gudelli
Rating: 
3.25/5