Oka Pathakam Prakaram Review: Sai Ram Shankar's film is slow but a passable thriller

2.5/5

Oka Pathakam Prakaram Story

Siddharth Neelakanta (Sai Ram Shankar), a public prosecutor, becomes addicted to drugs after his wife goes missing. One day, his close aide, Divya (Bigg Boss Bhanu), is brutally murdered, and the cops frame Siddharth. Being a lawyer, he fights his own case and proves his innocence. However, soon after, another lawyer's wife is killed, and once again, Siddharth is framed for the crime. Who is behind these murders? What connection does Siddharth have to these killings? And will the cops finally convict him? To find out, watch the film on the big screen.

Oka Pathakam Prakaram Review

Oka Pathakam Prakaram marks the comeback of star director Puri Jagannadh's brother, Sai Ram Shankar, to Telugu cinema. Taking on the challenging role of a lawyer framed in multiple cases, he strives to prove his innocence, going against the very law he upholds. This intriguing premise is handled well, with the conflict point established swiftly, keeping the audience engaged from the start.

Directed by Vinod Vijayan, the film successfully builds suspense, leaving viewers guessing about the true identity of the killer. The way each revelation unfolds across various phases adds to the film’s gripping narrative. However, there are numerous filler scenes that disrupt the pacing and bore the audience midway. This should have been avoided by removing a few scenes.

One major drawback is that after the main twist is revealed, the plot becomes fairly predictable. Additionally, certain legal loopholes and logical inconsistencies are glossed over, which may disappoint keen observers. The director takes too long to dive into the core conflict, wasting time with unnecessary padding scenes.

Also Read - Buzz: Priyanka Chopra has negative role in SS Rajamouli-Mahesh Babu film?

That said, Sai Ram Shankar’s portrayal is a highlight, he brings depth to his character, showcasing a range of emotions and actions with confidence. His performance marks a solid comeback after a long hiatus. Sudhakar’s character, however, feels oddly dated, giving the impression that these scenes were shot years ago.

Shruti Sodhi and Ashima Narwal deliver decent performances, while Samuthirakani adds some humour, though the dubbing for his character feels mismatched. The rest of the cast offers passable support. On the technical front, Gopi Sundar's songs and background score are decent, complementing the film’s mood.

The natural cinematography enhances the visual appeal, while the art direction, production, and action choreography teams have done an impressive job, of showcasing high production values. The dialogues, especially written about the law and how criminals are nabbed by the cops, sound good in the film.

Oka Pathakam Prakaram manages to hold your attention with its decent twists and turns, effectively setting the mood for a crime and suspense thriller. However, some illogical elements and slow pacing detract from the overall experience.

Oka Pathakam Prakaram Verdict

On the whole, Oka Pathakam Prakam has a decent few thrills that impress. If you can overlook a few logical errors, the film ends as a passable watch for crime thriller enthusiasts.

Also Read: Sankranthiki Vasthunnam box office day 24: Venkatesh's film finally slows down, OTT release delayed