Operation Valentine is Varun Tej‘s dream project and has been in the making for quite some time now. Well, the film has been released today, and let’s review it here at Filmyfocus.
Operation Valentine Story: Operation Valentine is based on the famous Puwalma attacks done by Pakistan in Kashmir. Arjun(Varun Tej) plays an Air Force officer who takes on the Pakistani Air Force and gives a befitting reply to the Pak army with his fighter jets. How all this is done is showcased in Operation Valentine.
Performances: Varun Tej leads from the front and gives a terrific performance. Be it his looks or body language, Varun suits the role of an Air Force pilot superbly. He is ably supported by Manushi Chillar who does well in her role. Ali Reza, Ruhani Sharma, and Navdeep do what is required of them. Sampath Raj is also neat in his cameo.
Technical Aspects: There is no denying the fact that the VFX could have been a lot better. Especially the Air Force scenes related in the first half look cheesy. But things are managed well in the second half. The production values of the film are pretty good for the budget spent. The air combat scenes are showcased decently. The BGM by Mickey J Meyer is quite good and the patriotic dialogues are superb. The production design is amazing and so are the lyrics in the songs.
Analysis: Firstly, Varun Tej needs to be appreciated for doing such a different film, and that too in Telugu cinema. Something like Operation Valentine has never been tried in Telugu cinema ever before. Though it is risky to make such a film, Varun showed full faith in the makers and gave a solid performance.
It is his screen presence that holds our attention till the end. Operation Valentine starts on a slow note and the scenes look forced. There is not much clarity given about how the Air Force works. But once the pre-interval and Puwalma attacks are showcased, things get interesting.
The second half is action-packed and has been showcased in a gripping manner. The air-combat scenes have been designed quite well by director Shakti Singh and the way the emotions are high during this time is the best part of Operation Valentine. Also, the climax is handled on a decent note.
The best part of the film is that there are not many deviations from the actual plot of the film and things are narrated thoughtfully. If more concentration would have been kept on the emotional angle, things would have gone to the next level. But still, Operation Valentine gives us a new experience and such films need to be encouraged.
Verdict: Overall, Operation Valentine is a well-made Air Force combat drama. Varun Tej is back with a bang and delivers a solid performance. Though the plot is predictable, the racy second half, solid action, and patriotic feel make this film a decent watch this weekend.
Bottom Line: Well Made Air Force Drama
Rating: 3/5
