"Killer Artist", the latest thriller directed by Ratan Rishi, features Santosh Kalvacherla and Krishek Patel in the lead roles. The film, produced by James Watt Kommu under the SJK Entertainment banner, hit theaters today (March 21). The movie also stars Kalakeya Prabhakar, Neha Madhuri, Jabardasth Venky, Tagubothu Ramesh, Bhadram, Bigg Boss fame Sonia Akula, Satyam Rajesh, and Sudarshan in pivotal roles.
Plot Summary
Vicky (Santosh) is devastated when his sister Swathi (Sneha Madhuri) is brutally attacked and killed at home while she is alone. This tragic event turns his world upside down. Struggling to cope with the trauma, Vicky’s girlfriend Jaanu (Krishek Patel) tries to help him return to normalcy.
Meanwhile, the city is terrorized by a psychotic killer known as Pichchi Ravi, who targets women while wearing a heroine mask. The police claim to have arrested him, but when Vicky finds a similar mask at home, he becomes convinced that this psycho was responsible for his sister’s murder and vows to take revenge.
However, the real twist unfolds when the psycho escapes from police custody and arrives at Jaanu’s birthday party, where Vicky realizes that his sister's killer is someone else entirely. The rest of the story revolves around who actually murdered Swathi, why the psycho showed up at Jaanu’s party, and how Vicky uncovers the truth.
Narrative & Execution
The "brother avenging his sister’s murder" storyline is not new; it's been explored in numerous films. While "Killer Artist" follows a similar theme, the director attempts to present it as an unexpected murder mystery with an element of suspense. The mystery behind the real culprit keeps the story engaging, but the motive behind the murder feels weak, and the climax follows a predictable route.
The first half focuses on Vicky and Jaanu’s love story, Swathi’s murder, and the psycho killings. However, the interval twist reveals that the so-called psycho isn’t actually the real culprit, which changes the film’s trajectory. The second half unfolds with the psycho showing up at Jaanu’s birthday party, chaos ensuing, and Vicky gradually discovering the truth.
Though the pre-climax maintains intrigue, the final reveal and resolution feel underwhelming, making the film end on a routine note. Kalakeya Prabhakar’s performance as the psycho is intense, but his screen time is excessive, which might feel repetitive to the audience. While the film aims to highlight the emotional bond between the brother and sister, the execution becomes overly dramatic at times.
Performance Review
- Santosh Kalvacherla delivers an impressive performance as the lead, effectively portraying emotions of grief, anger, and determination.
- Krishek Patel looks glamorous, though her acting is average.
- Sneha Madhuri does well in her role as Swathi.
- Satyam Rajesh, playing a police officer, is decent.
- Kalakeya Prabhakar is perfectly cast as the psycho killer, but his extended screen time might feel excessive.
- Comedians like Sudarshan and Jabardasth Venky attempt to add humor, but the comedy doesn’t always land effectively.
- Sonia Akula, despite being given a key role, appears for barely a minute in the entire film.
- The supporting cast delivers passable performances without making a major impact.
Technical Aspects
- Cinematography: The visuals are decent, but most of the film is shot in limited locations, making it feel visually restricted.
- Background Score: The BGM is okay, though some tracks sound reused from other films.
- Direction: Director Ratan Rishi tries to present a routine story with a fresh screenplay.
Final Verdict
"Killer Artist" is a murder mystery revolving around a brother’s quest for justice. While the suspense factor works for the most part, the film ultimately falls into predictable territory. The storyline is routine, and the execution is inconsistent, but **Santosh Kalvacherla’s performance and the psycho killer element add some intrigue.
Verdict: A watchable murder mystery.
Rating: 2.5/5
