Varun Tej, who is yet to deliver an action film in his career, has again attempted to delve in the genre with Gandeevadhari Arjuna. The film was supposed to also resurrect the career of Praveen Sattaru who earlier delivered a dud with The Ghost. Touted as a stylish spy actioner, Gandeevadhaari Arjuna has a big budget and all the bells and whistles one associates with the genre.
Arjun Varma (Varun Tej) is a secret services agent and is estranged from his partner Aira (Sakshi Vaidya). Aditya Raj Bahadur (Nasser) is India’s environment minister who is attending a crucial UN meeting in London, where he is expected to oppose a crucial decision that appoints a mega-corporate entity C&G (Clean & Green Corp), headed by Ranveer (Vinay Rai), as the watchdog for India.
The minister is opposing this decision as the company is responsible for dumping chemical and nuclear waste at several sites in India, leading to severe contamination and deaths. The evidence that implicates C&G lands in Arjun’s hands. C&G chief kidnaps minister’s granddaughter Riya and forces him to sign the deal appointing his company. As Arjun’s mother is also a victim of chemical contamination of water and is on her deathbed, Arjun decides to take on the evil corporate and save Riya.
What is the connection between Riya and the villain, and what happens between Arjun and Aira forms the rest of the story.
The film happens mostly in London and several other foreign locales. Shot by cinematographers Mukesh and Amol Rathod, the film has great visuals and displays technical excellence. Mickey J Meyer’s music suits the visuals perfectly and elevates the mood in most scenes. The action sequences are also performed well and raise the bar for Telugu cinema. The art design and costumes are also meticulously planned and make the visuals perfect.
Watch the trailer of Gandeevadhari Arjuna starring Varun Tej
While all this is going for Gandeevadhari Arjuna, the film unravels due to the weak story and sluggish pace. The film is mostly a reprisal of Sattaru’s previous movie The Ghost, in slightly different circumstances and characters.
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The heavy theme of environmental degradation and the impact of waste on nature isn’t shown in a way that leaves an impact on the viewers. The protagonist’s mother falls victim to the contamination and is about to die, but we as audience don’t feel any pain on his behalf. Arjun is a negligent son, making his anguish for her unconvincing. There is no back story to Nasser’s rift with his daughter, or the relationship between Vimala Raman and Vinay Rai.
Gandeevadhari Arjuna is a technically competent, soulless action movie. It may be a good watch for action fanatics only.
Gandeevadhari Arjuna cast: Varun Tej, Sakshi Vaidya, Vimala Raman, Nasser, Vinay Rai, Ravi Varma
Gandeevadhari Arjuna director: Praveen Sattaru
Gandeevadhari Arjuna rating: 2 stars
