Cast: Rahman etc.
Direction: Karthick Naren
Banner: Sri Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara Films
Music: Jakes Bejoy
Cinematography: Sujith Sarang
Release Date: Mar 10, 2017

D-16 titled Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru in Tamil was a critically acclaimed and commercially hit film there. Let’s see whether Telugu audiences will like the film or not…

Story:
Movie starts with a mysterious person killing a young couple in an apartment. On the same night, three drunken friends hit a man crossing the road in a hurry. The very next day, when an inspector named Deepak (Rahman) enters police station, a constable explains him about freshly registered suicide case in their region which was later doubted as a murder. All the three incidents have one connection. What is it? Is it the killer is single or a group? What’s the motive behind the murders in one night in the city? Will Deepak ever chase the mystery? What he loses in the process?

Positives:
1. Story
2. Rahman
3. Cinematography
4. Direction
5. Music

Negatives:
1. Complexed Screenplay
2. Slow Narration
3. Lack Of Entertainment

Analysis:

For thrillers, upholding suspense till end is the utmost significant thing. Coming to 16, though it is a maiden directorial venture for Karthick Naren, he penned an engaging screenplay and executed it flawlessly. In a city few mysterious things happen in one night. A couple was shot in an apartment, a young guy is hit by a car and another person commits suicide (murder?). An enthusiastic young constable joins duty on the very next day of these incidents happen requests his boss to give him a chance to steady the case. These two- an experienced and a young cop travels together to chase the murderer mystery. Though narration was a bit slow, the director made it interesting by maintaining suspense till the end. One will definitely be shocked watching climax portion where Rahman talks to an anonymous, but known person.

Artists Performances:
Rahman is cool as police inspector. He adds so much of value to the play. His looks, body language, the freakishly bold voice required for a cop, an intimidating attitude all that as he carries around from one crime scene to another in search of evidence are right on the money. Delhi Ganesh makes a mark with just one scene he appears. The film has many less known actors and among them the actors coming as Gautham, the senior police constable and the Newspaper boy make a good impression.

Technical Aspect:
Director-writer Karthick’s narrative pattern needs to be applauded as he prompts layers of suspenseful moments, which keeps you guessing until the very end. It is for sure an impressive way of storytelling. Last dialogue from the film happens to be, “Since I am narrating this story, I am seen as the hero of the story. Probably if it were from someone else’s angle, I would have been the villain.” This dialogue is enough to describe skills of the director. The characterization of every lead is such that, they could be seen as both protagonist and antagonist. Jakes Bejoy’s background score enriches the thrill and mystery element all through the film. Sujith Sarang’s cinematography has used lights and angles that give the feel of watching a crime investigation film. The multi-layered complex script is easily conveyed with the clear cuts of Editor Sreejith Sarang. Top notch production values make the film look over-the-top.

Verdict:
D-16 may not connect to the masses, due to the complexed story and also of psychological elements. However, multiplex audiences will surely love it.

TeluguOne Perspective:
Gripping Thriller

Rating: 2.75