‘Viraatapalem: PC Meena Reporting' review: A tough cop investigates the affair of the dying brides
After the Kannada-language Ayyana Mane, the streaming platform ZEE5 has rolled out its latest snacky show that can be consumed during rides to the office and back. Viraatapalem: PC Meena Reporting shares a few similarities with Ayyana Mane: a heroine rather than a hero, crimes linked to superstition, a rural setting, short episodes.
In 1980, police constable Meena (Abhignya Vuthaluru) is posted to the Viraatapalem village, which has the unfortunate reputation of being deadly for women seeking to get married. For the past 15 years, brides have collapsed within a day of their nuptials, blood spurting from their mouths.
Meena isn't taken in by talk of a curse. Despite the opposition of her bosses, the powerful men of the village and her worried mother, Meena and the helpful tea seller Kittu (Charan Lakkaraju) set out to investigate the mysterious affair of the dying brides.
Poluru Krishna directs Vikram Kumar Kandimalla's screenplay, which is based on a story by Divya Thejaswi Pera. Despite a few red herrings, alert viewers will easily guess the modus operandi at work. The close-ups aren't helpful, and there isn't enough material for seven episodes.
But Meena's investigation is satisfactory, as is the twist with regard to the killer's identity. Abhignya Vuthaluru solidly plays Meena, who boldly defies gender expectations to unravel a mystery that almost nobody is interested in solving.
There is scope for Meena and Kittu to return for more adventures, which will hopefully be more intricately plotted and staged with greater ambition.
Play
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
Kuberaa Box Office Collection Day 9: Dhanush, Rashmika Mandanna starrer crosses ₹75 crore mark, mints THIS amount
Kuberaa Box Office Collection Day 9: The Dhanush and Rashmika Mandanna starrer Kuberaa has performed well after nine days of release at the box office. Following its performances on the second Friday and Saturday, the film has now crossed the ₹ 75-crore mark. Kuberaa, released in theatres on Friday, June 20, is available in Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, and Tamil. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Kuberaa earned ₹ 75.5 crore after the first eight days of release. On Saturday, Day 9, the film earned ₹ 4.25 crore, according to early estimates by Sacnilk. The Dhanush-starrer film opened to ₹ 14.75 crore. In the Hindi-speaking region, the film competes mainly with Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par, which opened on the same day and has grossed ₹ 95.5 crore in nine days. According to Sacnilk data, the occupancy for Kuberaa for the ninth day stood as follows — The film is directed by 'Fidaa' fame Sekhar Kammula of 'Fidaa', Kuberaa has a runtime of 182 minutes. Actors such as Nagarjuna Akkineni, Dhanush, Rashmika Mandanna, Jim Sarbh, and Dalip Tahil are portraying key roles in the film. This socially driven film features a gripping narrative and is filled with stellar performances. IMDb describes Kuberaa's plot as a film that 'revolves around the pursuit of wealth and its consequences; a beggar undergoes a dramatic transformation, exploring themes of greed, ambition, and moral dilemmas faced by the characters leading to a quest for redemption.'
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Squid Game' creator CONFIRMS Gi-hun's fate; Teases potential spinoff
The creator of Squid Game, Hwang Dong-hyuk, is the one who is most excited about the release of the show's final season. The writer and director of the popular show opened up in a recent interview about his relief on the show coming to an end. "There hasn't been a single day that went by without me thinking about Squid Game,' he said to The Hollywood Reporter and admitted, 'This is something that has completely consumed me. " Although Squid Game's ending is not meant to set up any future stories "at this time," sources tell THR that director David Fincher is reportedly working on an English-language spinoff. The story of his main character, eager hero Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), the indebted father who won the deadly Squid Games in season one and returned to defeat them in seasons two and three, is finally concluded in the final episodes, as Hwang had promised. But despite his heroic efforts, Gi-hun leaves this story unharmed. Rather, he gives his life to ensure the survival of Jun-hee's (Jo Yu-ri) newborn child. In the end, the infant assumes his mother's role as Player 222 and wins the games. His mother and father, Lee Myung-gi (Yim Si-wan), also known as Player 333, both meet tragic ends during the games. With Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett making a surprise appearance in the series' final scene as the Recruiter for an American version of the Squid Games, the combination of hope and gloom in Hwang's anti-capitalist thriller leaves viewers with a lot of thoughts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo With an ongoing point that the Games will continue, the scene either closes the book on the story or allows the wildly popular franchise to continue with a potential spinoff series. While also sharing the thing he found most difficult to write in Gi-hun's ending, he said, "If season three is met with as much love as people loved season one, then I think I'm definitely going to feel less empty about saying goodbye.' Although he is open to future spin-offs that dive deeper into the recruiters' world, Hwang Dong-hyuk affirms that this concludes Gi-hun's arc and the original Korean narrative.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Amitabh Bachchan bows to son Abhishek Bachchan, praises him on completing 25 years in films: 'He is worthy of praise'
Actor Amitabh Bachchan bowed to his son Abhishek Bachchan and showered him with praises as he completed 25 years in the film industry. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the veteran actor reacted to a post by a fan account lauding Abhishek Bachchan over his choice of roles of the years. Amitabh Bachchan is proud of his son Abhishek Bachchan. A video featured Abhishek playing different characters from his films over the years. The caption read, "Celebrating 25 years of @juniorbachchan, the man who mastered wit, timing, and that unbeatable comic swag. Here's to the laughs that never missed!" Reacting to it, Amitabh wrote, "Is Variety ko maine pranaam karta hoon, aur apne putra ki sarahna karta hoon. Jee haan, pita hoon main uska, aur mere liye mera putra Abhishek sarahna karne yogya hai (I bow to this variety and I praise my son. Yes, I'm his father, and for me my son Abhishek is worthy of praise)." In another post, Amitabh talked about Abhishek's upcoming films as he showered his blessings on him. Amitabh tweeted, "Ek chap ke kuch hi dinon mein, release hone waali hai .. aur ek aur nayi film ki shuruaat ho gayi hai ..pehla din film KING ki shooting (One film will release soon, and there is a start of a new film, first day of shooting of King)...My blessings Bhaiyu .. love and more (red heart emoji). And one more film shooting is complete and ready and coming prayers ever (folded hands emoji)." About Abhishek's career, upcoming films Abhishek made his Bollywood debut with JP Dutta's Refugee in 2000 alongside Kareena Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Sunil Shetty, and Anupam Kher. He has starred in many films over the last two decades, including Om Jai Jagadish, LOC Kargil, Run, Yuva, Bunty Aur Babli, Sarkar, Dhoom, Delhi-6, Happy New Year, The Big Bull, and I Want to Talk. He will be next seen in Kaalidhar Laapata, which will premiere on Zee5 on July 4. Directed by Madhumita, it also stars Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub. In the film, Abhishek plays a middle-aged man struggling with memory loss and abandonment. He then meets Ballu, an eight-year-old orphan who is surviving on his own on the bustling streets of India. Together, they go on an adventure and find purpose in their lives. He will also star in King, helmed by Siddharth Anand. The film also stars Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Deepika Padukone, Jaideep Ahlawat, Abhay Verma and Suhana Khan among others.
