Zebra Review: A Gripping, Racy Thriller!

Clever and fast-paced screenplays have become the hallmark of Tollywood this year, with films like KA, SWAG, Lucky Baskhar, and Saripodhaa Sanivaaram showcasing exceptional writing. Zebra continues this trend, marking another victory for screenplay-driven storytelling in Telugu cinema. However, while the film impresses with its narrative style, it isn’t without its flaws. Let’s dive deeper into its strengths and drawbacks to see where it truly shines—and where it falters.

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Centered on a high-stakes bank heist, Eashvar Karthic’s story, following his work on the Keerthy Suresh starrer Penguin, is compelling from the outset. Despite a few notable hiccups that I’ll address later, the core plot is intriguing. The narrative weaves through multiple characters, with their missteps shaping the story’s direction and for the most part, Karthic delivers a premise that is thrilling, explores banking intricacies effectively, and kept me engaged.

Now, coming to the screenplay, as I mentioned earlier, it represents the new wave of screenplay-driven storytelling in the Telugu film industry. Eashvar Karthic, along with co-screenwriter Yuva, successfully delivers a fast-paced narrative. True to its nature, the screenplay avoids the dreaded “LAG” that younger audiences often whine about. Much like Satyadev’s Bluffmaster, which has garnered a cult following, Zebra manages to maintain a similar edge-of-the-seat flavor through and through.

This is where Zebra begins to falter, primarily due to its overwhelming information dump and the sheer number of events unfolding simultaneously. It occasionally feels like too much to process in one go, a classic case of “గందరగోళం,” a word we often use in Telugu. However, by comparison, Lucky Baskhar, which released late last month, mastered the art of narrating a complex story in a relaxed, easy-to-follow manner.

In theaters, at least for me, the movie occasionally struggled to hold clarity. What might seem straightforward during the writing process doesn’t always translate smoothly onto the big screen. Let’s be real—distractions are everywhere in theaters. Whether it’s crying babies, Gen Z glued to Instagram, or the chatty aunty working through her popcorn, it’s tough to stay fully engaged. That’s why a clear, easily digestible narrative becomes so important to keep the audience hooked.

Moving on to the performances, Satya Dev delivers a stellar act, brilliantly portraying a bank employee trapped in a dire situation. Equally impressive is Dhananjaya, who brings a commanding presence as a powerful gangster, matching Satya Dev’s intensity. However, the backstory of Dhananjaya’s character, particularly the subplot involving his wife, falls flat. While it serves a narrative purpose, its execution feels lackluster and fails to leave a lasting impression.

The supporting cast offers a mix of highs and lows. Sunil, as a prankster-style villain, brings both humor and seriousness, though the blend doesn’t always work. Satya, as Bob, excels in comedy, and Priya Bhavani Shankar does a decent job with her limited role. A significant issue lies with Jeniffer Piccinato, whose self-dubbed dialogues, given her Brazilian background, are nearly incomprehensible. Similarly, Sathyaraj’s character suffers from dialogue clarity issues, making these moments frustratingly hard to follow.

Ravi Basrur’s song compositions fall short, but his background score is a surprising standout. Deviating significantly from his signature KGF and Salaar franchise styles, Basrur experiments with a diverse range of sounds, including electronic music, rap, and Western influences. More than impressing, it’s his willingness to experiment that stands out, showcasing his adaptability and creativity within the film’s framework.

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Overall, Zebra has its flaws, but it’s still a fun and engaging film to watch in theaters. The story, screenplay, performances, and comedy all come together well, making for an enjoyable experience. It’s great to see Telugu cinema stepping out of its comfort zone with bold experimentation, and even more exciting that audiences are embracing this fresh, innovative approach to storytelling with such enthusiasm.

‘Zebra’ Rating – 3/5