Siren Movie Review: A slow-paced thriller

Every aspiring actor wants their debut film to be unique, and it is this pursuit that brought Praveer Shetty to Siren. In contrast to the run-of-the-mill commercial entertainers, the debutant actor opted for a suspense thriller. The film, which stars the actor as a cop, also serves as the directorial debut of Raja Venkaiah.
Siren draws inspiration from a heinous real-life incident in Andhra Pradesh. The story begins with a worried mother (Pavithra Lokesh) arriving at the station with her younger daughter, seeking help in finding her bank employee elder daughter Swetha, who has not returned home. She seeks help from the police, who behave irresponsibly towards the case. After a long wait, they are only met with indifference. Finally, a cop Chandra Bose (Sharath Lohitashwa) finds Swetha's burnt body. Chandra Bose takes on the investigation but meets with a fatal accident.

Director: Raja Venkaiah
Cast: Praveer Shetty, Lasya Ponnu Ashi, Achyuth Kumar, and Sharath Lohitashwa

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Ashok Kumar (Avinash) looks out for an efficient officer to investigate Swetha's mysterious death. They recommend Samarth (Praveer Shetty), a young police inspector who recently joined the force. This marks Samarth's first case, and the film then revolves around what happens to him, and his investigation, which is brought to the fore with a lot of twists and turns.
Director Raja Venkaiah has made an attempt to create an interesting film with Siren but falls short. While the film does have an intriguing plot that revolves around how innocent people are trapped in a case, there are several scenes that lack credibility and logic. For example, an all-important revelation about Samarth isn't fleshed out properly nor is it timed well. The way certain police officers are portrayed, especially their dressing style, decorum, and discipline, leaves a lot to be desired. While Siren symbolises the rushing police van, the plot moves at a rather slow pace, and doesn't become the thrilling experience it wants to be.

A crisper screenplay could have made Siren a solid launch for Praveer. While his dialogue delivery is decent, Praveer does have to further develop his acting skills. Lasya Ponnu Ashi's role in the movie is confined to running alongside other police officers, limiting her impact on the screen. While Pavithra Lokesh delivers a restrained performance, Sharath Lohitashwa provides commendable support within the constraints of the film. Achyuth Kumar, who has recently been associated with grey shades, delivers a good performance that leaves a lasting impression. Sparsha Rekha, known for her portrayal of moderate characters, takes on a negative shade in this film, showcasing her versatility. The film's drawbacks include the absence of a heroins, songs, apart from a special number featuring Yashika Anand, and the lack of comedic elements to break the monotony of the narration.

Summing up, there's no doubt that Praveer Shetty has taken a risk with his debut, but Siren turns out to be a routine thriller. However, the film does serve as a crucial stepping stone for the
debutant affording him the opportunity to learn and grow from his first cinematic endeavour.