Neevevaro - Movie Review

What's it about!

A blind chef Kalyan (Aadhi Pinishetty) loves Vennela (Tapsee) for her nature of serving the poor, while his close friend Anu (Ritika) is in love with him. His parents want him to get married to Anu. He reluctantly agrees for engagement with Anu but on the day of his engagement, Vennela is abducted. He now wants to find out what happened to her. Due to an accident his vision is also restored, but will he see the light (Vennela) again?

Analysis

New director Harinath's 'Neevevaro' is based on Tamil movie 'Adhe Kangal' (2017). 'Neevevaro' treads the same screenplay by and large. It begins with the sequence of a couple going for a long drive with "Mounamelanoyi" song playing on the music system. Then comes the jolt: the car hits a man. Title appears and it cuts to Hyderabad and introduces the story of a blind chef. Though it is a thriller, the film begins like a love triangle, focusing on Aadhi falling for Tapsee (She's vennela who came as a light into his world of darkness) and Ritika loving him. Only after Tapsee goes missing just before the interval, the movie comes to the core idea of the movie.

The romantic thread is narrated in dull manner. The family jokes like Tulasi pouring wine for her husband and inviting Ritika's father for a drink does not work at all. The film goes in a sluggish way in the entire first half, only in the second half things start looking up. However, the final reveal can easily be guessed even before it appears.

After a tedious first half, the second half makes somewhat interesting. Yet, it doesn't leave us completely impressed.
 
The film completely belongs to Tapsee. She has done the role in convincing manner. In the beginning she looks odd but her performance in key scenes is effective. Aadhi Pinishetty doesn't suit in the role of blind chef. He appears as a blind guy for mere 40 minutes. Ritika is neat. Tulasi as mother and Shivaji Raja as father have indulged in over melodrama. Vennela Kishore appears throughout the second half but his comedy doesn't generate much laughs. Adarsh Balakrishna makes his presence felt in the final scenes.
 
Of the technicians, cinematographer's work is worth mentioning. Music is ineffective. The film's asset is penultimate portions which is just replica of the original movie. Rest of the writing is not good.

Bottom-line: 'Neevevaro' is a thriller but the big reveal can be guessed. After excruciatingly dull first half, the final moments make it watchable. However, this Tamil remake doesn't impress at all.