Operation Valentine Review - The Varun Tej starrer is new-age and a well-executed Air Force drama

3/5

Operation Valentine Story

Operation Valentine is based on the infamous Puwalma attacks carried out by Pakistan. Director Shakti Singh showcases the entire story through the eyes of Air Force pilot Arjun Dev (Varun Tej). How he and his team plan a counterattack on Pakistan and what issues they face during their aerial attacks is the basic story of Operation Valentine. Manushi Chillar plays Varun Tej's wife and colleague in the film.

Operation Valentine Review

Operation Valentine is set against the backdrop of the Pulwama attacks. Such an Air Force drama is not new in Bollywood but it is a first of its kind for Telugu cinema. Varun Tej, who has tried different films in his career, has attempted this Air Force drama and looks the best and carries the entire film on his shoulders.

Shakthi Singh directed this film and the best part about his narration is that he does not beat around the bush and crisply tells the story. There are no subplots or scenes that take away the attention of the audience. But the drawback is that the initial 15 minutes are not that gripping. The plot is not established that well and scenes related to the star cast and air base are showcased.

But once that is done, from the pre-interval onwards, Operation Valentine does not slow down one bit and is a solid aerial actioner. Operation Valentine is made on a budget of Rs 40 crore and the visuals that Shakti Singh executes for that money are top-notch. However, the VFX looks a bit tacky in a few scenes. Operation Valentine is also a bit low on emotions in several scenes.

Though the film has a decent narrative, there are no standout moments or scenes that arouse patriotic feelings inside you. The film flows breezily and does what it aims to. The second half is where all the action takes place, and this part wins the cake for its gripping narration. How the Pulwama attacks, Balakot strikes, and other retaliations are gelled together through fictional scenes is pretty good.

Also Read: Ahead of Operation Valentine's release, Varun Tej's dad Naga Babu apologizes to fans | Here's why 

One of the biggest drawbacks is the casting of the Pakistani army. Some unknown faces are shown in the Pakistani army and this does not add any depth to the film. The presence of a known face would have made a lot of difference to the emotional angle in the film. The confrontations between the chiefs and pilots do not create much of an impact.

When it comes to performances, Varun Tej looks at his part and suits the role of a pilot to the T. His body language, stylish look, and chilled-out performance are the best part of the film. Manushi Chillar ably supports Varun Tej in this film. She has meaty scenes and performs them well. Navdeep, Ruhani Sharma, and Ali Reza are okay in their cameos. As mentioned earlier, more experienced actors would have made a lot of difference. Srikanth Iyengar and Sampath Raj are okay in their roles.

Shakti Singh, the director, has penned the story and designed the film as a revenge drama. While his storyline is predictable, his narration is decent. However, there was so much scope for him to add drama and adrenaline-pumping moments but he did not add them. Micky J Meyer handles the music and he is top-notch. His background score elevates the film to a decent level.

The camera work by Hari K is also pretty good. The VFX is okay but could have been better in a lot of scenes. The production design showcasing the Air Force base is good. Operation Valentine is based on a subject that is known to all. While the proceedings are breezy and keep you engaged, the rush that such war dramas give is missing a bit here.

Operation Valentine Verdict

On the whole, Operation Valentine is a new-age action drama in Telugu cinema. Varun Tej leads from the front and shoulders in this Air Force drama that has decent moments of ariel combat. Though the film lacks strong emotions, one can give it a shot for its sincere making and action-packed second half.

Also Read: Operation Valentine - Chiranjeevi's emotional speech about Varun Tej and budget details, here's the latest update 

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