Film: Zebra Cast: Satyadev, Thala Dhananjaya, Sathyaraj, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Sunil, Jennifer Producers: S. N. Reddy, Balasundaram, Dinesh Sundaram Music: Ravi Basrur Cinematography: Baba Bhaskar, R. K. Director: Eashvar Karthic P.R.O.: Satheesh (AIM)
Satyadev and Priya Bhavani Shankar, who work in different banks, fall in love. At one point, Priya faces an unexpected issue in her bank. To resolve it, Satyadev engages in a risky and cunning act. This leads him into a series of tricky situations, forcing him to undertake more daring activities. As events unfold, he becomes entangled with a notorious gang, influential politicians, and relentless police pursuit. In the midst of this chaos, Satyadev promises to deliver ₹5 crores to a gang leader within four days. The film unravels whether he succeeds in this high-stakes challenge and delves into the mystery of why Satyadev must pay the gang leader such a large sum.
Satyadev, portraying a bank officer, performs a sly act in a bank account for his lover Priya Bhavani Shankar. This triggers a chain of events, leading Satyadev into one challenge after another, with the narrative unfolding in a gripping manner.
The director cleverly uses Satyadev's character to expose the intricate ways massive frauds occur in banks. The screenplay meticulously incorporates these elements, making the audience ponder, "Is it really possible to manipulate bank systems like this?" The director's ingenuity in weaving these thoughts into the story leaves the audience amazed at his creativity and storytelling prowess.
Priya Bhavani Shankar plays the role of Satyadev's love interest, and her troubles frequently put him in risky situations, keeping the audience on edge with shocking twists and nail-biting suspense. Sathyaraj delivers a standout performance as a unique gangster who races ahead like a champion horse in the game of crime. On the other hand, Thala Dhananjaya stuns as a fearsome enforcer, making even fellow gangsters tremble with his thrilling action sequences.
The plot delves into large-scale banking frauds, showcasing how crores of rupees are cleverly manipulated and transferred digitally to other accounts. While these grand schemes are shocking, they also leave viewers questioning the plausibility of such acts, sparking a mix of awe and disbelief.
The scenes depicting crores of rupees being transacted effortlessly through a mobile phone strain the boundaries of believability. According to banking regulations, transactions exceeding ₹10 lakhs typically require the account holder's physical presence at the bank. However, in the film, transferring and depositing such massive sums via mobile phones is portrayed as if it's as simple as bargaining for vegetables in a market. This oversimplified depiction of high-stakes financial dealings leaves the audience bewildered, making them question the plausibility of such scenarios while simultaneously adding a layer of intrigue to the story.
Telugu actor Sunil delivers a dual-tone performance, balancing 50% as a villain and 50% as a comedian, adding an entertaining edge to his role.
Ravi Basrur’s music energizes the film, gripping the audience without letting them blink. The cinematography by Baba Bhaskar and R.K. ensures visually striking sequences that enhance the storytelling. Director Eashvar Karthic dives into the theme of banking fraud with a commercial twist, crafting a thrilling narrative. However, the second half feels stretched, slightly diluting the impact.
Zebra is a chilling tale of high-stakes banking fraud, guaranteed to leave the audience both intrigued and shocked.
