BOTTOM LINE
Engaging Ride
OUR RATING
2.75/5
CENSOR
‘UA’ Certified, 2 hrs 10 mins
What Is the Film About?
Siva (Vijay Deverakonda) tries multiple jobs finally sticks to be a cab driver. He gets a car after a lot of searches. How his life turns out due to the car is what the movie is all about?
How Is Vijay Deverakonda’s Performance?
Vijay Deverakonda delivers another attractive performance. It isn’t something that is memorable or something special but it will surely help him a lot in cementing the position among the youth. Vijay Deverakonda is uber-cool and terrific styling wise and that alone will win him fans. The acting is neat and helps the narrative without drawing too much focus on self.
There is an instant connect and freshness in the casual way with which Vijay Deverakonda shows friendly interaction on screen. It is so natural and so are the romantic turns. The combination is what is working magic for him right now. The believability of the character, with or without standout performance is his strength and we hope it stays that way.
Direction by Rahul Sankrityan?
After a relatively big break, Rahul Sankrityan is back with a new film. Compared to his first film The End, the second one is a bigger project all things considered. He has the perfect set up and all he needs to do was deliver. And that’s exactly what he does with Taxiwala.
The plot of the movie is very simple if not for a brief scientific mumbo-jumbo during the second half. But, it is that segment and the concept which brings the movie its freshness and makes it stand out from the crowd in its genre. So, there is no escaping on that front and that helps the film’s case here.
Taxiwala starts off slowly but keeps the audience engaged through the comedy that is part of the narrative and not put there forcibly. Slowly the core plot is brought in with thrilling elements. The comedy and thrill keep the audience tuned to the proceedings.
The bumps arrive in the smooth journey in the second half when the crucial concept is introduced mixing multiple genres at the same time. While the scientific aspect is a fresh part, the rest is routine and unpredictable lines. As result, the proceedings appears a bit heavy and dragging but that is necessary to induce seriousness in the narrative. Without that, the ending would not work out the way it does now. The drag occurs a bit during the pre-climax part. It is passable and, not something that totally derails the proceedings.
In the end, Taxiwala is an easy onetime watch for the weekend. There is enough entertainment and thrills to keep the audience hooked. It is not something that one must immediately rush and watch, but they can do it as per convenience.
Priyanka Jawalkar and Others?
Priyanka Jawalkar is a lovely presence on screen. Her pair with Vijay Deverakonda is superb. But, she has nothing to do in the movie to show her acting skills. In the second half, one can count scenes on fingers where she has a presence. With a much lesser screentime, Malavika Nair has a role that has an impact and score to perform. Sijju Menon does his part well. Uttej is seen in a small role. Madhu Nandan gets a pleasantly likeable character after some gap. Chammak Chandra and the guy playing Hollywood were hilarious in the small parts they got. Ravi Varma takes care of his crucial role.
Music and Other Departments?
Jakes Bejoy has given music that is in sync with the visuals. The peppiness is carried through the songs and the background score. The cinematography gives the movie a fresh look. The editing is neat. The writing is also proper to the setting chosen.
Highlights?
Vijay Deverakonda
Thrills
Basic Concept
Climax
Drawbacks?
Slows down in the Second Half
Predictable Turns In Second Half
Unfinished Romantic track
Unease Mix of Genres in Parts
Alternative Take
The core plot development in the second half could be tweaked a little bit to make it fresher.
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes for the most part
Will You Recommend It?
Yes
Taxiwala Review by Siddartha Toleti
Final Report:
The overstretched climax and not so convincing ghost backdrop work against the film but the fun factor and Vijay Deverakonda’s screen presence makes Taxiwaala a watchable thriller. Visit back for our frank review soon.
– The climax feels like over stretched. Movie ends. Final report shortly.
– Now the ghost story is revealed and Siva (Vijay) needs to help the ghost find it’s body. The culprits behind it is also revealed. The movie is heading towards Climax.
– Taxiwala second half started. Story behind ghost is being revealed with a flash back episode.
First Half Report:
Taxiwala first half is alright with not much into the main story but still manages to create interest around the ghost factor. The simple fun factor works in parts. VFX work is below par.
– Siva (Vijay) builds a rapport with the invisible ghost in the car and started trusting but gets a shocker. Interval.
– Siva (Vijay) and Anu falls in love quickly. Meanwhile, Siva started noticing some weird things in his car. He is trying to get rid of the car due to the ghost fear but the Car doesn’t leave him.
– Siva (Vijay Devarakonda) gets excited for a vintage Contessa car and buys it. He gives it a complete make over and starts using it as a Cab. Siva’s Vadina helps him financially for the car. He shares a good bond with his Anna and Vadina.
– Siva (Vijay) decided to become a cab driver, looking to buy a used car for cab service.
– Taxiwala show started. Siva (Vijay) came to the city and trying his hand in different odd jobs.
Taxiwala US Premier live updaes will begin from 5 am IST (6.30 PM EST).
Preview: Taxiwala
As the movie that is bluntly hit on the face by piracy twice, once a couple of months before the release and the second time, days ahead of release, ‘Taxiwala‘ stands at a position when piracy turned out to be a morale killer for the film. Mixed talk spread from the reviews that came out after the uncut and unedited version of the movie was leaked online.
The makers of the movie and the hero have been convincing that the final cut will be good and will surely entertain the audiences and will not disappoint them. Despite the piracy and the mixed talk from the pirated version, Vijay Deverakonda’s craze will open with a decent occupancy. However, Deverakonda just delivered a big flop and it would be a big relief for him if this movie delivers.
The director Rahul Sankrityan and the debut heroine Priyanka Jawalkar had pinned hug hopes on the movie while the hero says that it might not as big as they expect but a decent one as it is a good movie and the sci-fi content will entertain the audiences. Jakes Bejoy’s album is mostly situational with a number ‘Maate Vinadhuga’ standing out of the rest. By the way, this is the MD’s debut film in Telugu.
The movie has been delayed since long and has come to the theatres after the full movie leaked twice. This is a peculiar situation for the movie’s unit and a crucial film for the artists and technicians who are making their debut along with the debut director and the debut heroine. All of them had hopes on this movie that this will sci-fi film will have a decent run at the box-office.
It’s time to know whether the sci-fi movie could reach the target audiences or not. It’s time for ‘Taxiwala’ review from M9News team. Keep watching this space to stay informed, folks! We’ll be back with the opening talk on Vijay Deverakonda’s crucial movie.
