Title: Dhootha
Rating: 2.75/5
Cast: Naga Chaitanya Akkineni, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Prachi Desai, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Anish Kuruvilla, Tharun Bhascker, and others
Director: Vikram K Kumar
Writers: Poorna Prajna, K S Sripal Reddy, Naveen George Thomas
Streaming On: Amazon Prime Video
The word Dhootha, coming from Sanskrit roots and also called ‘Doot’ in Hindi, means ‘a messenger’ when translated into English. So what is the message, and who is the messenger in this Naga Chaitanya-led series?
Let's Analyze.
Story
In the series "Dhootha," journalist Sagar Varma Avuduri (Naga Chaitanya) is tainted by greed, using journalism as a tool for wealth accumulation. A tragic accident involving his pet dog becomes eerie as Sagar had foreknowledge through newspaper cuttings. More forewarned incidents unfold, leading to the loss of loved ones.
Sagar's ex-colleague Charles(Srikant Murali) experiences similar tragedies, ending in suicide. DCP Kranthi Shenoy(Parvathy Thiruvothu) investigates, revealing connections between Sagar and Charles.
As the series progresses, Sagar faces escalating tragedies, drawing Kranthi's focus. The show explores unfolding events, mysterious cuttings, and Kranthi's efforts to uncover the truth behind Sagar's life.
Performances
Dhootha provides Naga Chaitanya with the opportunity to break away from his 'good boy' image, portraying a deliciously layered and flawed character that borders on being unlikable – a departure he adeptly exploits. While his performance may not consistently hit the mark, he keeps viewers engaged, particularly in episodes demanding substantial effort.
Prachi Desai, a refreshing presence after a long interval, sees her character's arc entirely sacrificed for the benefit of the story, adopting the role of a character meant to perplex and propel the suspense thriller forward.
Priya Bhavani Shankar, portraying Sagar's wife, and Parvathy Thiruvothu as Kranthi, both deliver standout performances.
Special acknowledgment goes to Ravindra Vijay, whose portrayal of Inspector Ghose manages to send shivers down your spine with his convincing bad cop act.
Technical Excellence:
Mikolaj Sygula's exquisite cinematography and Varun Venugopal's haunting sound design significantly contribute to enhancing the atmosphere.
Highlights
Naga Chaitanya
Performances
Drawbacks
Slow pace
Analysis
In both a literal and figurative downpour, Sagar faces a cascade of challenges over eight episodes in Vikram's creation. Prior to the deluge, the series offers a glimpse into Sagar's seemingly righteous reporting and ideal husband persona. However, as layers unravel, flaws emerge.
The initial episodes captivate, with Parvathy Thiruthovu as Kranthi Shanoy and Ravindra Vijay as Ajay Ghosh portraying contrasting police characters.
As the body count rises, so does Sagar's desperation to unravel the truth. Vikram deftly introduces smaller characters as essential components, with Prachi Desai, Rohini, Tharun Bhascker, Raja Goutham, Pasupathy, Jeevan Kumar, and others contributing seamlessly.
Although the midsection feels slightly bloated, the series avoids boredom and keeps viewers engaged, especially those who appreciate horror and gore, making it worthwhile by the end.
Bottom Line: Intriguing