Movie Name : Operation Valentine
Release Date : March 01, 2024
Piktalk.com Rating : 3.5/5
Starring: Varun Tej, Manushi Chhillar, Navdeep, Ruhani Sharma, Paresh Pahuja, Shataf Figar, Sampath, Ali Reza and others.
Director: Shakti Pratap Singh Hada
Producers: Sony Pictures International and Sandeep Mudda
Music Director: Mickey J Meyer
Cinematographer: Hari K Vedantam
Editor: Navin Nooli
Varun Tej, popularly known as Mega Prince, is renowned for his eclectic choice of characters and storylines. He is back with Tollywood’s inaugural aerial action extravaganza, Operation Valentine. The film, generating a considerable buzz, has graced the theaters today. Dive into our review to uncover the verdict on this much-anticipated spectacle.
Story :
Arjun Dev, played by Varun Tej, is an Indian Air Force Wing Commander. He goes through a tough time when he loses his friend Kabir (Navdeep) during the testing of Project Vajra. The project gets put on hold for a while, but Arjun decides to rejoin as a test pilot later on.
Then, a scary situation unfolds when there’s a terrorist attack in Srinagar, and it’s traced back to Pakistan. The Indian Air Force gears up for a response. How do they fight back, and what role does Project Vajra play in helping India during this attack? There’s also a connection with Aahna Gill (Manushi Chhillar) that unfolds as part of the story.
The big questions linger: Does Arjun manage to come out on top, or does he become a hero in a different way? All these answers are revealed in the movie, making it an intriguing watch.
Positive Aspects :
Hats off to Varun Tej for choosing such daring films and bringing fresh stories to Telugu audiences. In his role as IAF Wing Commander Arjun Dev (codenamed Rudra), Varun Tej does a fantastic job, fitting into the character seamlessly.
We also have Manushi Chhillar making an impressive Telugu debut as an IAF officer and Arjun Dev’s love interest. She does a great job in her role, giving her best within the space she’s given.
The aerial combat scenes in the second half, as the team mentions, are really gripping and manage to capture that patriotic spirit effectively.
The rest of the cast also puts in their best efforts, contributing to the film’s decent portrayal of characters. It’s a movie worth checking out for its unique storyline and solid performances.
Negative Aspects :
Trying to bring real-life events to the big screen is tough, and Operation Valentine faces its own set of challenges in doing so. While the movie has its good moments, some scenes don’t quite grab your attention, leaving you expecting more.
The depiction of the terror attack and its aftermath doesn’t hit as hard as it could have. There’s a missed chance for a more emotional approach that could have really tugged at the heartstrings.
In the first half, where there’s a chance to showcase the Indian Air Force’s strength, there are unnecessary scenes, like romantic moments between the main characters, that might distract from the core story.
The characters played by Ruhani Sharma, Paresh Pahuja, Shataf Figar, and Ali Reza could have been used better to bring out the necessary emotions for this patriotic tale. Despite its flaws, Operation Valentine has its moments and is worth a watch.
Technical Elements :
Director Shakti Pratap Singh Hada does a decent job with Operation Valentine, but there’s room for improvement. A more captivating storyline and a tighter screenplay could have turned it into an even more thrilling aerial action movie.
The dialogue by Sai Madhav Burra could have been more relatable, especially when it comes to crafting engaging patriotic lines. On a positive note, Hari K Vedantam’s cinematography is praiseworthy.
Mickey J Meyer’s work on the music is okay, but there are moments in the film where his fantastic background music could have made the overall experience even better.
Editor Navin Nooli might have considered trimming some scenes in the first half for a smoother pace. It would have been great to see more attention to detail in the visual effects, especially in scenes that required them to enhance realism and immersion. Despite these areas for improvement, Operation Valentine still manages to deliver some thrills.
Conclusion :
All in all, Operation Valentine is a pretty good aerial action movie, thanks to strong performances by Varun Tej and Manushi Chhillar, and some exciting air strike scenes. However, the slow first half, unnecessary scenes, and moments lacking emotional depth are noticeable downsides. If you’ve seen other movies like this, Operation Valentine might not hit you as hard, but for those new to this genre, it’s a decent choice for weekend entertainment.
Piktalk.com Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewed by Team Piktalk