suresh kavirayani
sureshkavirayani@gmail.com
Naveen Chandra’s latest release Eleven marks his fourth film this year. Once again, he steps into the role of a cop in yet another thriller. A bilingual release in Telugu and Tamil, Eleven is directed by Lokkesh Ajls and jointly produced by Ajman Khan and Reyaa Hari, who also star in the film. Here’s how the story unfolds.
Story
Aravind (Naveen Chandra) works as an Assistant Commissioner of Police in Visakhapatnam. A sharp and efficient officer, he can crack any case with ease. A series of brutal serial murders shakes the city, prompting the appointment of Ranjith (Sashank) to lead the investigation. However, Ranjith meets with a serious accident, after which the Commissioner (Adukulan Naren) assigns Aravind to take over the case.
Despite Aravind’s involvement, the murders continue. It becomes evident that a serial killer is on the loose, but the killer leaves no clues, making the investigation even more challenging. A small clue from one of the crime scenes puts Aravind back on track. As he begins piecing the puzzle together, he uncovers the identities of the victims. However, the murderer’s identity remains a mystery.
Who is behind these murders? Why are they happening in a similar pattern? What motivates the killer? To find the answers, you need to watch Eleven.
Analysis
Naveen Chandra appears once again in a thriller, a genre familiar to his audience. Having starred in several thriller films and web series, Eleven adds to his list. Director Lokkesh Ajls starts the film on a promising note, introducing Naveen as a clever cop and quickly escalating to the murder mystery. Typically, when murders occur, viewers expect a deep and gripping investigation. However, here the director takes several cinematic liberties. While a few scenes manage to stand out, much of the story feels routine and predictable. The serial killings and the police investigation fail to engage the audience as expected. Though the film picks up momentum once Naveen takes charge, it loses steam again as the identity of the murderer becomes too obvious.
The concept involving twins is a commendable angle by the director, but the emotional depth is lacking. Producer and actress Reyaa Hari’s performance, particularly in her scenes with Naveen Chandra, feels underwhelming. A more seasoned actress may have been a better fit. Another drawback is the flashback sequence revealing the motive behind the killings — it lacks emotional connection and feels disconnected.
The climax, too, leans heavily on cinematic tropes. A school episode, complete with a lengthy voiceover, drags the narrative and doesn’t sit well within the thriller genre. The interval sequence provides a high point and there are a couple of engaging moments in the second half. However, taken as a whole, the film ends up feeling rather ordinary.
Performances
Naveen Chandra delivers a sincere and solid performance, as expected. Having portrayed cops in previous roles and web series, he fits comfortably into this character and maintains a consistent intensity. Reyaa Hari, who also co-produced the film, plays his love interest, but her performance falls flat and is a weak link. Shashank, as another police officer, is well-cast and effective. Adukulan Naren plays the Commissioner in a standard role, while Abhirami, in an extended cameo, adds notable value with her presence. Dileepan as a cop performs well and Ravi Varma, along with others, supports the film adequately.
Technical Aspects
Technically, the film scores decently. D. Imman’s background score is a major highlight, adding a layer of intensity. Karthik Ashokan’s cinematography captures the visuals in a compelling manner. Production values are high, and the action sequences are choreographed stylishly without excessive gore, which works in the film’s favor. Dialogues are passable and the writing lacks the depth required for a gripping thriller.
Verdict
Eleven is only partially successful, offering a few thrilling moments here and there.
Intended as an investigative thriller, the film falls short due to the director’s over-reliance on cinematic elements. Naveen Chandra’s committed performance is the film’s biggest asset, but overall, Eleven ends up as a time-pass watch — neither gripping nor groundbreaking.
Cast: Naveen Chandra, Reyaa Hari, Abhirami, Sashank,
Adukulan Naren, Dileepan, Kireeti, Ravi Varma and others
Music: D. Imman
Cinematographer: Karthik Ashokan
Producers: Ajman Khan and Reyaa Hari
Writer and Director: Lokkesh Ajls
Rating: 2.5/5
