Cast: Jagapathi Babu, Aamani, Kabir Duhan Singh, Aamani, Padma Priya
Direction: Vasu Parimi
Rating ***
When we are watching a revenge drama, things go plentifully awry sooner or later. Every scene will appear menacing, dark and creates irrational fear with a slight air of insanity. Jagapathi Babu-starrer Patel Sir is the latest in the league of revenge dramas and it apparently falls into this category, to an extent. The Vasu Parimi directorial has an edge above others for wonderfully depicting the emotional side of the pivotal characters. The film shows Patel introducing himself as a man seething with righteous rage and a little girl haunted by the visuals of a masked man with brutal misdeeds. The story is stuffed with loads of action and heart-wrenching emotions.
Deva Raj (Kabir Duhan Singh) operates a mafia that controls business of fake drug syndicate. He is shocked to learn about the deaths of his brother, partners and determined to find out the motive behind their killings. He seeks the help of a corrupted cop Catherine (Tanya Hope). When all his attempts go in vain, Deva Raj finally lands in Hyderabad only to confront with the man in crime.
The first hour finds most of its best moments in the action-packed scenes and director Vasu focused more on the attitude and ultra-stylish look of the protagonist. It was only in the second hour where the actual story unfolds. The director did a commendable job and goes to great lengths to make the narrative rich with intensity, emotion and engaging till the end. He touches upon the subject of drug mafia without dwelling too much into it.
The ease with Patel carries his revenge plan is most improbable. Keep the stylistic choices aside, the screenplay sticks to the genre template. For the first time, Jagapathi Babu plays a dual role of father and son and he was at his best in both emotional and action scenes. Especially, he excelled in the role of Subhash Patel which bring out the vulnerability as well as resilience. Tanya Hope brings her character alive and is little beyond the stereotype. Kabir Duhan Singh lacks the verve and played a dispassionate role.
The film also marks the comeback of Aamani and Padma Priya in brief roles and both the actors made their presence felt. Subhalekha Sudhakar gets very little to work with as Patel’s friend. The other cast complemented the principle characters well.The restrained performance of Jagapathi Babu elevates Patel SIR from the usual revenge leanings. Despite some short-comings, this revenge drama makes for a one-time watch.