Satya Dev, a talented actor known for his relentless efforts in the film industry, has yet to secure a major box-office success. With Zebra, directed by Eashvar Karthic, he pinned all his hopes on delivering a breakthrough. Co-starring Daali Dhananjay and Priya Bhavani Shankar, the film revolves around a banking scam and its far-reaching consequences. Let’s dive into the story and see how it unfolds.
Story
Surya (played by Satya Dev) works at the Bank of Trust, while his fiancée, Swathi (played by Priya Bhavani Shankar), is employed at another bank. Swathi commits a major mistake at work and seeks Surya’s help to rectify it. Using his deep understanding of banking loopholes, Surya, with the assistance of his friend (played by Satya), successfully covers up Swathi’s error. However, this inadvertently draws the attention of Aadhi (played by Daali Dhananjay), a notorious don, who loses money because of Surya’s actions.
Aadhi gives Surya an ultimatum: pay him Rs. 5 crores within ten days or face severe consequences. Left with no choice, Surya decides to use his knowledge of banking loopholes to gather the money. The story then explores how Surya navigates this challenge. Who is Aadhi, and what led him to become a ruthless don? How does Sunil’s character fit into the equation? And what role does Satya Raj play in this cybercrime-ridden tale? To uncover these answers, you’ll need to watch Zebra on the big screen.
Analysis
Director Eashvar Karthic, who previously worked in banking, aimed to expose the sector’s vulnerabilities. While the concept of uncovering fraud within the banking system sounds compelling on paper, its execution falls short. The narrative is bogged down by excessive technical jargon and banking terminology, which alienates the common audience. Terms like ledger, deactivate accounts, activate accounts and credit and debit flows dominate the dialogue, making the plot difficult to follow.
The pacing is uneven, with a fast-paced first half that leaves viewers confused and a second half that drags. Despite a few engaging moments, the film largely fails to hold attention. Furthermore, multiple subplots and excessive cinematic liberties dilute the main story. Comedic elements, especially those involving Satya, often feel forced and fail to land.
The lack of emotional depth and well-written characters is another drawback. Even promising characters like Satya Raj and Sunil are underutilized, contributing little to the overall narrative. Films with similar themes, such as Lucky Bhaskar and Mechanic Rocky, have succeeded in blending technical details with relatable emotions, but Zebra struggles to achieve this balance.
Performances
Satya Dev, though he suits the role of a bank employee, this film does not showcase his acting prowess as effectively as his earlier works. Daali Dhananjay’s character is flat and lacks emotional depth, leaving little room for him to shine. Priya Bhavani Shankar delivers a charming performance and stands out in her role. Sunil and Satya Raj, Both characters are poorly written and feel like wasted opportunities.
Cinematography and Music, The visuals are commendable, and Ravi Basrur’s background score adds some energy, but the songs are underwhelming.
Verdict
Zebra tests the audience’s patience with its overly technical approach, lack of emotional connection and poorly executed narrative. While there are a few moments of intrigue, they are too sparse to salvage the film. Satya Dev, still searching for a much-deserved hit, will have to wait a little longer as Zebra adds another flop to his filmography.
Cast: Satya Dev, Daali Dhananjay, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Satya Raj, Satya, Jennifer Piccinato and others
Story and Director:
Eashvar Karthic
Producers: Bala Sundaram,
SN Reddy, Dinesh Sundaram
Music: Ravi Basrur
Cinematographer:
Sathya Ponmar
Rating: 1/5
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