Bhaje Vaayu Vegam: A Racy Thriller with a Strong Performance from Karthikeya
Karthikeya shines in this gripping thriller
Karthikeya, known for his role in RX100, is back with another film, Bhaje Vaayu Vegam, which he calls a “racy thriller”. The film, directed by Prashanth Reddy, tells the story of Venkat, an aspiring cricketer who gets caught up in a web of crime and deceit.
A Story of Cricket, Crime, and Redemption
Venkat, played by Karthikeya, is an aspiring cricketer who comes to Hyderabad to pursue his dreams. However, his fate takes a turn when he gets involved with a bookie and gets duped. To save his ailing father, Venkat turns to petty jobs and eventually becomes a punter. But when he places a bet on his favourite team, Chennai Super Kings, he gets duped again. The story takes a thrilling turn when Venkat tries to get his money back and uncovers a connection between the bookie and two bigwigs, David and George, who rule the Hyderabad crime syndicate.
Strong Performances from the Cast
Karthikeya shines as Venkat, bringing depth and emotion to the character. His portrayal of a cricket aspirant who undergoes a significant emotional journey for the sake of his father is relatable and evokes empathy from the audience. Actor Ravi Shankar is another asset to the story, playing the ruthless baddie David with conviction. Sharath Lohitashwa, who plays the City Mayor George, is brilliant in his role. Ishwarya Menon, although restricted to a clichéd Telugu heroine role, portrays her character well within her scope. Tanikella Bharani, as Venkat’s ailing father, does well in his role.
Technicalities
The music composition by Radhan is just okay, but the background score by Kapil Kumar should have been more pulsating. The action blocks, especially the climax fight between the protagonist and the gangsters, were poorly composed. The production values were good, but the camerawork and editing could have been more professional.
Analysis
Bhaje Vaayu Vegam is a no-nonsense film that has action, suspense, and thrill in reasonably good doses. Although the first half is dull, the story picks pace as characters and events unfold. The racy screenplay and crisp editing make the film engaging, especially in the second half. Debutante Prashanth Reddy does well in telling the story without lengthy monologues or hero-villain elevations.
Thumbs Up
- Characterisation
- Racy second half
Thumbs Down
- Dull first half
- Below par cinematography and music
Bottom Line
Bhaje Vaayu Vegam is a bumpy ride, but it’s worth watching for Karthikeya’s strong performance and the engaging second half.
Rating: 2.5/5
