Thammudu Review : A Dispirited Survival Saga Drowns in Lackluster Execution

Thammudu is produced by Dil Raju’s banner. Although the producer has claimed that its budget touched the Rs 70 Cr mark, the output doesn’t justify the claim. In this section, Telugu Funda reviews the movie.

Telugu Funda’s reveal of the Premise:

As the film opens, a devastating factory explosion in Vizag results in multiple fatalities. The factory owner, Azarwal (Saurabh Sachdeva), is relentlessly pressuring officials to give him a clean chit. He even bribes the CM with Rs 100 Cr. However, the unyielding and honest officer Jhansi Kiranmayee (Laya) stands firm, refusing to compromise. Incidentally, around the same time, Jhansi’s estranged brother Jay (Nithiin as an Archer) pines to reunite with her. Jhansi, her husband, her daughter and others are on a pilgrimage to Ambaragodugu for the Pagadalamma Jathara festival. It falls upon Jay to save them from Azarwal’s devilish henchmen.

Telugu Funda’s take on the Performances:

1. Nithiin: He looks demotivated throughout. In Robinhood, at least, he was not this dull. The consecutive flops have taken a toll on his spirit. Even in his pre-release appearances, he looked lost. We hope he makes a strong comeback with his next movie, Yellamma.
2. Laya and Saurabh Sachdeva: Laya, the good sister of the hero, doesn’t get to occupy the audience’s mind space. In the second half, especially, others seem to overshadow her. Saurabh, the Hindi actor who played the negative role, hams all the way.
3. Varsha Bollamma and other ladies: Varsha, as Jay’s soul connection, is average. That one fight involving her is amateurish. Sapthami Gowada of Kantara fame is stuck with her silly rhymes. Saswika, Baby Deetya, Hari Teja and others leave no impact.

Telugu Funda’s take on the Technical Output:

1. Music: Ajaneesh Loknath’s creativity was stifled by the sub-par action set pieces. It seems he constrained himself after watching the uninspiring visuals.
2. Cinematography: KV Guhan and two others have nothing much to do even in the jungle scenes. The second half’s action scenes were mostly shot in studio settings.
3. Production Values: Sri Venkateswara Creations claimed to have spent Rs 35 Cr on just the production. Visually, the scenes are lacklustre. The VFX is patchy. A major action scene, involving a cliff and a landmine, is incredibly sloppy.

Telugu Funda’s Analysis:

The very reason why Laya’s character hasn’t been on talking terms with her brother is outlandish. Had this conflict been strong, the brother-sister track would have partly redeemed the film.

The entry of a new set of baddies in the second half tests your patience, considering that these baddies don’t have a character establishment phase. They don’t even have much scope in the story other than stretching the action blocks. Director Venu Sriram evidently wanted to turn this into a survival drama. He felt there was no need to establish the secondary enemies.

The forest scenes, especially in the second half, are loud and emotionally stunted. The nature of the survival drama is dry. You don’t feel the sister-brother sentiment anywhere even in the more crucial stretches in the pre-climax and climax segments.

The reaction shots involving the many side characters are artificial. Since these characters journey with the hero and his sister, it becomes all the more painful to watch them.

The action choreography is uncreative. There is no effort at stylization.

Telugu Funda’s Verdict:

Thammudu is an uninspired survival drama marred by a demotivated lead, weak performances, and a complete lack of emotional resonance. Its patchy technical output and nonsensical plot points further seal its fate as a cinematic misfire.

Rating: 1.5

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