Vishaka Express - Review

Film: Vishaka ExpressCast: Rajiv Kanakala, Naresh, Preeti Jhangyani, Sindu Tolani, Kota Srinvasa Rao, Ali and others. Screenplay: Chandrasekhar Yeleti Dialogues: Harsha VardhanScript Co-coordinator: Vakkantham VamsiCinematography: P K H DasMusic: Vijay KurakulaProduced by: Tulasi GopalPresented by: S S RajamouliDirected by: Mullapudi VaraRelease Date: February 8, 2008Two strangers meet on a train and open up their hearts during the journey. One guy offers other exchange of murders. How is the idea? Interesting plot! Well, director Mullapudi Vara has taken basic plot from Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers On A Train (1951) for his Vishaka Express but he fails miserably in executing it well. Idea is good but the execution should have been better. He fails holding the audiences' interest till the climax as it is so long drawn. Lack of proper modus operandi is another flaw.
Two strangers Dr. Raja (Rajiv Kanakala) meet Ravi Varma (Allari Naresh) on a train. Raja is frustrated with his drunkard father (Kota Srinivasa Rao) and tells his problems to Ravi. Few days later, his father injures in an accident and brought to Raja's hospital. Later he dies of poisoning and the blame is put on the doctor. In fact, it is Ravi Varma who designs the death. He insists Raja to kill his wife in exchange of murdering his father. And the game is set for twist in the climax.
Rajiv Kanakala, a proven actor with varied roles, does good job but it is Allari Naresh who gets the maximum mileage from the show. He is at his best in the role of a jealous husband and psychopath. Preeti Jhangyani is okay. Sindu Tolani has no big role but she brings glamour by indulging in blink and miss kiss scene. The actors have done adequate job.
The film has flawed screenplay and has not handled with skill. The same goes for a

track. One wonders what contribution Chandrasekhar Yeleti and Rajamouli provided to this film.
Bottom-lineNo one would love to board on this train. The journey is boring.
Reviewed by K.A.RRating: 2.5/5