BOTTOM LINE
Use your ESP and stay away
CENSOR
‘U/A’ certified film
OUR RATING
What is the film about?
The film is about Meghana (Avantika Mishra), a TV Reporter who has ESP (Extra Sensory Perception). How her ESP visions entangle in her love life and what is the final outcome, is what the film is about.
How is Harsha Vardhan Rane’s Performance?
There is not much scope for the actor to perform in the film. Although there is a proper flashback given to his character, it feels as if it was an afterthought. Hence with a character that is lacking in depth Harshavardhan Rane couldn’t do much. Add to it the fact that it’s not him that is at the centre of proceedings driving the film, he fails to make any sort of impact.
Direction by Neelakanta?
Neelakantha has been in the industry for a long time. He has even won National Award for best screenplay. After all these years and watching these many films, one can’t help but wonder if the director is burdened by the screenplay bug. He seems to be trying too hard without appearing to be trying too hard with his screenplays. It could be lack of the right actors or a lack in the vision but the director even with half decent concepts and stories is failing big time in holding the audience. In Maaya the director has kept things simple, in fact the first half is over in the blink of an eye but ultimately the predictability of whole thing catches up. A thriller or suspense drama ought to be pretty tight in narrative, even with such a simple narrative, it feels the director is all over the place here.
Other artist’s performance?
Apart from hero the film has two primary characters played by Avantika Mishra and Sushma Raj. Among the two it is Avantika who gets the main role of the film, one the drives the entire narrative. She is fine for her part and at most that she does as part of acting is look surprised. Sushma Raj on the other hand plays an over the top role that gets on our nerves whenever it comes on screen. However she too gets some scope to act but at the very crucial moment when its required to be shown she fails to convince. Nagababu, Jhansi, Anitha and comedian Venu are just for support and have nothing to add to the film performance wise.
How is Sekhar Chandra’s Music and other departments ?
Music by Sekhar Chandra is below par. It is through the background score that he gets some scope to show his talent and he surely makes a mark there. Editing could have been lot better considering it’s a suspense drama. Cinematography is poor. Dialogues lack the depth or the meat to keep the audience engaged.
Highlights?
Basic concept
Climax
Drawbacks?
Boring and predictable screenplay
Lack of excitement
What about the box office performance of the film?
The film has very little awareness among the general audience as the makers have concentrated completely on the online viewers. Even among the urban audience which is its target audience, there is a competition with another movie. All this point at a very short run for the movie at the box office.
Did I enjoy it?
No
Will you recommend it?
No
OUR RATING
Reviewed by Siddhartha from special premiere
