Telugu actor Satyadev and Kannada actor Dali Dhananjay’s financial crime thriller film, Zebra, has been released in theaters on November 22. This Telugu film was directed by Eshwar Karthik, who had previously directed Penguin starring Keerthy Suresh. The film brings together two promising actors from the Telugu and Kannada film industries and pits them against each other in a cat and mouse race. With an exciting trailer that looked smart, fun, eccentric and a little over-the-top, does this film deliver what was promised? Or did he oversell? Let’s find out!

Zebra talks about banker Surya (Satyadev), who knows the intricacies of the banking sector, who is thriving through loopholes in his plans. Surya is street-smart and knows how to take advantage of loopholes. What happens when one of his plans/scam backfires and a former dacoit and businessman, Adi alias Dali (Dali Dhananjay) has to pay the price of his reputation? The answer to this question forms the story of the film.

Here is the trailer:

What was presented as a brain-teaser set in the world of banking crimes turned out to be an average commercial entertainment built around bank transactions. While the potential of what might have been an idea on paper is obvious, the directions the producers chose to explore during the creation of the script take the film in too many directions which is not smart writing. What starts off as a glimpse into the world of banking fraud in the current technologically advanced world turns into a small-scale Happy New Year (Shah Rukh Khan film) with robberies, gambling, easy access to CCTV controls and bad jokes. ends as.

Although the film’s major shortcomings lie in the story and direction, technically the film was good at most places. While the questionable green screen backgrounds and editing were noticeable in some parts, the cinematography and editing were otherwise clean. Ravi Basrur’s background music fits perfectly with the mood of the film. Basrur finally found the right rhythm with Zebra this year, while working with music that doesn’t rely heavily on drums.

Both the lead actors, Satyadev and Dhananjay, carry the film equally on their shoulders. While Satyadev’s Surya greases the chains of the film as he runs around the banks explaining the flaws through his narration, Dhananjay’s Adhi keeps the vehicle moving with his powerful presence and massive action. . The story of the film is also equally divided between the two. While one struggles to protect itself, the other struggles to build a foundation of power based on the efforts of the former. Both the actors have played their characters well, the only complaint is the lack of scenes of both of them in the same frame.

Satyaraj’s Baba and comedian Satya Akal’s Buddy are two such characters who are integral parts of the film. While Buddy, as the name suggests, is a friend of our hero Surya, Baba is a notorious but loyal gambler who is known to solve any problem. Both the actors played these comic roles very well. Sunil has also done justice to his role as the troublesome villain who instigates a cat-and-mouse fight between the protagonist and the antagonist. The rest of the supporting actors played their roles well.

The climax sequence deserves special praise, where the lead up provides an exciting climax. The film not only entertains but also leaves a feeling of dissatisfaction. The constant shift between smart writing and convenient writing is the main reason for this dissatisfaction. Having said that, if one is expecting a casual popcorn entertainer with template twists, turns, massive fights and dialogues, then Zebra might fit the bill.

3 out of 5 stars for zebra.