Dandha Review: A Decent Cyber Crime Thriller

Core News & Key Facts

Dandha is the latest web series starring Dora Sai Teja, now streaming on the Chai Shots platform. Directed by Aditya Devulapalli and written by Vijay Kumar, the series revolves around cyber crime, online fraud and a mafia network operating in Hyderabad. Dora Sai Teja plays Aravind, a B.Tech student who turns to cyber fraud after struggling with poverty during his childhood.

Aravind uses his intelligence to deceive unsuspecting victims and eventually attracts the attention of mafia operator Prakash Thagoor. Impressed by his skills, Prakash brings him into his gang, allowing Aravind to rise quickly within the network. As online fraud becomes a serious concern, the government assigns police officer Aditya Singh, played by Nithin Prasanna, to investigate the growing criminal operation.

Context & Performances

The cyber crime backdrop is one of Dandha’s biggest positives. The series draws from incidents and situations that feel relevant to the current digital environment. Several sequences involving online scams are engaging, while the different perspectives of the central characters add some depth to the premise.

Dora Sai Teja delivers the standout performance. His dialogue delivery, body language and mannerisms suit Aravind’s character well, making him the primary highlight of the series. Akshara Nalla is convincing in the role of Neelu and performs well in the emotional portions. Nithin Prasanna, Kiran Kumar Kamtham and Soori K Chaplin also make an impression in their respective roles.

However, the series is held back by its screenplay. Despite having a promising concept, the story does not offer enough substance to sustain the narrative throughout. Several portions move slowly, while the main conflict is not developed with enough clarity. Some scenes also feel overly cinematic, and the character arcs do not always establish a strong connection with the audience.

Impact & What's Next

The concept, some individual sequences and the climax work reasonably well, but a stronger screenplay could have made the series much more engaging. Certain portions may remind viewers of familiar gangster dramas, particularly in the way the protagonist rises within a criminal network.

Technically, the series benefits from Rishi M’s music, Ashwin Lenin’s natural-looking cinematography and clean editing. The locations are presented effectively, while Chai Shots has maintained good production values.

Overall, Dandha is a decent cyber crime drama with engaging performances and some interesting thriller elements. Dora Sai Teja is particularly impressive, but the inconsistent screenplay and slow passages prevent the series from reaching its full potential.

Krihaa.com Rating: 2.75/5