Meter

Story:

“Meter” is an Indian Telugu-language action comedy drama film released in 2023. It was written and directed by Ramesh Kaduri and produced by Clap Entertainment. The film stars Kiran Abbavaram and Athulya Ravi (making her Telugu debut) in the lead roles. “Meter” was released on April 7, 2023.

Plot

In 2006, during police selections in Rajahmundry, Venkat Ratnam, father of Arjun Kalyan, a police officer at the time, observed a candidate attempting to secure a spot among the selected candidates through the recommendation of MLA Kantham Byreddy. Despite pressure from Byreddy, Venkat Ratnam refused to accept the candidate due to his suspicions. Consequently, he was transferred to Warangal, where he intervened when Byreddy’s convoy obstructed a pregnant woman in an autorickshaw. Byreddy reacted by slapping Venkat Ratnam, an incident witnessed by Arjun Kalyan, which led to his disillusionment with the police profession. However, his father envisioned a different path for him, aspiring for Arjun to become an honest and dedicated police officer, unlike himself, who operated out of fear.

Fast forward to 2023, Arjun Kalyan reluctantly participated in the Telangana Police Selections at his father’s urging but failed due to his lack of desire for the profession. However, a chance encounter where he rescues a woman from a kidnapping reignites his determination. Despite initially missing the selection tests, he eventually passes and is appointed as an S.I officer at Punjagutta Police Station.

On his first day, Arjun Kalyan releases arrested drug dealers, prompting Commissioner Krishna Murari to consider dismissing him. However, the released dealers lead to the capture of their entire gang, turning Arjun Kalyan into a city hero and securing his position. Later, he meets the father of the woman he saved, who reveals her desire to become a nun due to her aversion to men.

The commissioner informs Arjun Kalyan of his instrumental role in thwarting a bomb disaster, which he accomplished while undercover. This further elevates his fame. Home Minister Kantham Byreddy seeks Arjun Kalyan’s assistance in an IT raid, which Arjun Kalyan plans to use to oust him.

Byreddy then orders Arjun Kalyan to eliminate an escaped criminal, which results in the man’s death. During the encounter, Arjun Kalyan’s father attempts to save the man but fails, slipping into a coma from the emotional trauma. Byreddy reveals that Arjun Kalyan was never officially appointed and that another person assumed his position due to a clerical error. This revelation spurs Arjun Kalyan to seek revenge and reclaim his rightful position.

Arjun Kalyan warns the DGP about the implications of the false appointment letter, prompting him to take action. He learns from his father that the escaped man was initially selected but excluded from the final list. Arjun Kalyan kidnaps the DGP to obtain evidence of the fake appointments by Byreddy, using the RTI to expose the scam. He then strikes a deal with Byreddy to secure his father’s release and the appointment letters for the rightful candidates. Byreddy falls for the ruse and is subsequently arrested for his fraudulent activities. Arjun Kalyan’s father is honorably retired, and Arjun achieves his goal of exposing the corruption and fulfilling his father’s dreams.