Dhootha marks the OTT debut of Naga Chaitanya. He plays a media baron in this web series which has been directed by Vikram Kumar. Let’s review the Amazon series here.
Story: The series is set in Vigaz and Sagar(Naga Chaitanya) is a popular journalist who becomes the CEO of a leading newspaper. But one fine day, he comes across a new paper that reads that his dog will be killed in a road accident. The same happens and Sagar gets shocked. From there, so many incidents happen and every time, a newspaper is found related to the crime and Sagar gets deeply rooted in these crimes. Who is targeting Sagar? What is this newspaper twist all about? To know the answers, watch the show.
Performances: Naga Chaitanya took on the challenge of portraying a complex character in ‘Dhootha’ and emerged triumphant. His portrayal in emotional scenes vividly captures the anxiety of someone desperately trying to protect their family. Throughout the series, he carried the narrative effortlessly, showcasing both his acting prowess and striking looks.
Prachi Desai’s character lacked depth in its writing, offering her limited opportunities to showcase her talent. Parvathy, in the role of the investigating officer, delivered a convincing performance, seamlessly fitting into her character. Priya Bhavani Shankar, portraying Chaitanya’s wife, delivered a decent performance, although her character remained underexplored. Tharun Bhascker, Gautham, and Tanikella Bharani were also good.
Technical Aspects: Ishaan Chhabra’s haunting background score adds an intriguing dimension to the series. Mikolaj Sygula’s cinematography stands out as top-notch, with every frame reflecting the substantial investment made by the creators. The series boasts a solid visual appeal throughout. However, the editing falls short of perfection and could have been more refined. The rain effect has been used quite well in the series. The dark theme also looks good.
Analysis: Dhootha marks the OTT debut of Naga Chaitanya and he saves his best for this series. The young actor is showcased in such a new avatar and the audience will get engrossed in the episode from the word go. Director Vikram Kumar does not waste time one bit and gets right into the story. The way the newspaper cuttings predict the storyline is thought off quite well.
Every episode is ended with a hook and that is the best part of the series. It has eight episodes and holds your attention for the most part. There are a few scenes that have been dragged for no reason just to create more suspense in the series. Those scenes should have been avoided. The flashback segments failed to leave a significant impact, lacking the necessary punch. The execution of scenes within these flashbacks could have been improved, highlighting a notable weakness in the series.
The show is rich with multiple layers and diverse characters. Ultimately, all the narrative threads are intricately woven together, creating a cohesive and satisfying conclusion. Each character actively contributes to propelling the story forward. The twist related to the paper cuttings is also showcased interestingly. The message given is also neat.
One can say that Dhootha is the best web series that has come out in Telugu be it making wise, performances, and narration. All those who love thrillers will enjoy Dhootha but beware of the extensive use of cuss words which were not necessary at all.
Verdict: On the whole, Dhootha marks a smashing OTT debut of Naga Chaitanya. He leads from the front and delivers a powerful performance in this series which is gripping, has decent thrills, and is narrated on a decent note.
Bottom Line: Well narrated thriller
Rating: 3/5
