Anchakkallakokkan (Chappra Murder Case) Telugu Dub Review: Is This Thriller Worth Watching on Aha?
The Malayalam film, originally titled Anchakkallakokkan, which was released in theaters in March 2024, is now streaming on Aha in its Telugu dubbed version as “Chappra Murder Case”. With a runtime of 2 hours and 4 minutes, this movie offers a unique viewing experience. While the Telugu dubbing is generally good, the songs in Telugu are not as effective. Overall, the film is an average thriller, but its different filmmaking style and action sequences make it worth a try for viewers seeking something beyond the routine.
What is Anchakkallakokkan (Chappra Murder Case) About?
The basic storyline of “Chappra Murder Case” is set in 1986. The plot revolves around the murder of a planter and an elderly man who went hunting for a wild boar. The central mystery follows the police and the deceased’s sons as they try to uncover who committed the murder and why, forming the core narrative.
Release & Streaming Details
The film, originally titled Anchakkallakokkan in Malayalam, first hit theaters in March 2024 with a runtime of 2 hours and 4 minutes. It is now available for streaming on Aha in its Telugu dubbed version. The Telugu dubbing is generally good, however, the songs in Telugu are not as effective.
A Dive into the Filmmaking and Story Pacing
The movie immediately starts with the main story, gradually building characters. The narrative weaves between flashback and present situations, which can be interesting in parts but also lead to a slow pace at other times, diminishing the engaging factor. A thriller segment is revealed about 10 minutes into the second half, after which the pace slows down again, only to pick up in the final half-hour. The film features different filmmaking techniques and is not a routine production. The director’s mark is evident in the unique style, including the method of portraying characters who are perceived as heroes as zeros, and vice versa.
The Strengths: What Works Well?
The last 30 minutes of the film, encompassing the pre-climax and climax, particularly the police station episode, are commendable for action lovers. Action sequences are a strong point, especially the climax and the Gillabi Brothers fight in the first half. Characters are well-valued and beautifully written and utilized, a strength that becomes particularly apparent during the climax police station scenes. Performances from all actors are good. Cinematography and the unique background music are definite highlights; the camera work is impressive, with frames expertly set and the camera utilized creatively. While the script isn’t remarkably different (essentially a murder mystery), the making style is distinct and unique, showcasing the director’s unique vision. Direction stands out in several scenes, even if it doesn’t engage consistently throughout.
Areas for Improvement: What Didn’t Quite Land?
As mentioned, the engaging factor starts slowly, and the film often proceeds at a slow pace, only gaining speed in the final half-hour. The thriller part is shorter compared to the action sequences. Some scenes feature new characters, making it difficult to immediately grasp what is happening, occasionally requiring rewinding for clarity. Character names like Kolan Shekhar Nandavaramban, Peter Punnari Rajan, Chippan Vasudevan, and Padmini can be challenging to remember and confusing. An epileptic attack is shown but not highlighted or explained in detail. The Vasudevan police character is underdeveloped for most of the film, only becoming prominent towards the end. Although the Gillabi Brothers fight is good, the Telugu dubbing song during that time is not effective. The movie contains bold and violent content, including an adult scene involving the Padmini role. Additionally, the Telugu dub includes foul words, some of which appear to be cut mid-sentence.
Who Should Watch Anchakkallakokkan?
Thriller and action fans, along with those who appreciate different filmmaking styles, might consider watching Anchakkallakokkan (Chappra Murder Case). Despite its slow pacing in many places, the impressive filmmaking makes it worth a try.
Conclusion
Anchakkallakokkan (Chappra Murder Case) is an average thriller that stands out for its impressive filmmaking and unique direction. While it struggles with slow pacing and inconsistent engagement in parts, the strong action sequences, cinematography, and character development are definite plus points. It’s not an outright engaging film throughout, but its distinctive approach might appeal to a specific audience. Based on this review, it receives a rating of 2.75.
