Hebah Patel's latest venture, "The Great Indian Suicide," written and directed by Viplav Koneti, has made its way to the Aha platform. This thriller explores a unique and unsettling premise, but does it deliver on its potential? Let's delve into the details.
The story revolves around Hemanth (Ram Karthik), an orphan running a coffee shop with his friend. He falls for Chaitra (Hebah Patel), who supplies cookies for his business. Initially, Chaitra rejects Hemanth's proposal, but her feelings change just as Hemanth decides to leave the city to forget her. In a shocking revelation, Chaitra confides in Hemanth about her family's impending mass suicide and her own limited time to live. This revelation sets in motion a series of events that uncover a bizarre and disturbing cult-like situation within her family.
"The Great Indian Suicide" dares to explore a concept inspired by real-life events. The premise of a family contemplating mass suicide to resurrect a deceased member is indeed intriguing. Hebah Patel delivers a commendable performance, skillfully portraying her complex character. The film keeps you engaged by introducing unexpected twists and mysteries in the last half-hour.
The supporting cast, including Ram Karthik, Naresh, Pavitra Lokesh, Ratna Shekar Reddy, and Deborah Doris, deliver convincing performances that add depth to the narrative.
While the film delves into an unusual and thought-provoking subject, its pacing falters in the middle, causing moments of boredom. Some scenes, which should have been thrilling, come off as generic and underwhelming.
Additionally, there are unnecessary scenes that could have been omitted to focus on the film's finer details. Jayaprakash's character is left underdeveloped, disappearing from the narrative prematurely.
Despite the potential for horror elements, the film fails to fully explore this aspect, sidelining it as the story progresses. "The Great Indian Suicide" might not be suitable for family viewing due to uncomfortable scenes.
The film benefits from an effective background score by Sri Charan Pakala and decent songs. Cinematography by Anantharag Kaavuri and Ajay V. Nag is visually appealing. While the production values are satisfactory, the editing could have been tighter.
"The Great Indian Suicide" offers an intriguing concept that is worth exploring. Hebah Patel's performance and the surprising twists in the final half-hour are highlights. However, the film's pacing issues, inclusion of unnecessary scenes, and missed opportunities for horror elements hold it back. If you can overlook the sluggish moments, it's a passable watch for the weekend.
