Production
Srikara Studios, Sithara Entertainments & Fortune Four Cinemas
Cast
Nandamuri Balakrishna, Bobby Deol, Sachin Khedekar, Ravi Kishan, Veda Agarwal, Pragya Jaiswal, Makarand Deshpande, Shraddha Srinath, Urvashi Rautela, Shine Tom Chacko, Chandhini Chowdary
Director
Bobby Kolli
Story & Screenplay
Daaku Maharaaj (UA), dubbed from Telugu, is the story of a well-meaning man forced into crime to put an end to criminal activities.
Nanaji (Nandamuri Balakrishna), working as a driver for tea estate owner Krishna Murthy (Sachin Khedekar), also cares for his granddaughter, Vaishnavi (Veda Agarwal). Trouble begins when MLA Thirumala Naidu (Ravi Kishan) secretly cultivates cocaine on the estate. When Krishna Murthy warns him against it, Naidu begins harassing him.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra police are hunting Nanaji, and Balwant Singh Thakur (Bobby Deol) is after his life. Why they are chasing him, and how Nanaji becomes Daaku Maharaaj, forms the rest of the tale.
The story is routine and lacks freshness. K. Chakravarthy Reddy’s screenplay is predictable, following a beaten path. While some comedy punches entertain and a couple of emotional scenes work, the narrative slackens post-interval. The climax lacks impact. Dialogues are average.
Performances
Nandamuri Balakrishna gives a committed performance as Nanaji, though his age shows, making him less convincing as a solo hero.
Bobby Deol impresses as Balwant Singh Thakur, bringing intensity to the antagonist’s role.
Sachin Khedekar lends credibility as Krishna Murthy.
Ravi Kishan is entertaining as the corrupt MLA Naidu.
Baby Veda Agarwal is natural as Vaishnavi.
Pragya Jaiswal is adequate as Kaveri, Nanaji’s wife.
Makarand Deshpande is passable as Govind.
Shraddha Srinath has her moments as Nandini, Balwant’s wife.
Urvashi Rautela is average as Vaishnavi’s caretaker.
Others, including Shine Tom Chacko and Chandhini Chowdary, lend routine support.
Technical Aspects
Direction: Bobby Kolli’s narration is ordinary, unable to elevate the familiar drama.
Music: Thaman S. delivers decent songs; picturisations are appealing. Background score is impactful.
Lyrics: Average.
Cinematography: Vijay Karthik Kannan’s visuals are striking.
Action: Venkat’s stunt sequences provide thrills and mass appeal.
Production Design: Avinash Kolla – appropriate.
Editing: Niranjan Devaramane & Ruben could have tightened the pace further.
Dubbing: Proper.
Verdict
Daaku Maharaaj is a routine mass entertainer with a predictable story and ordinary direction. Despite a few thrills, strong visuals, and Bobby Deol’s presence, the film struggles due to its weak novelty, lack of impactful climax, and limited promotion. Balakrishna’s middle-aged appearance as the lead further limits its appeal.
⭐ Rating: 2/5
PUBLISHED BY SUYASH PACHAURI, FOUNDER & OWNER, GLOBAL BOLLYWOOD | THE HOLLYWOOD SCOPE