Behind Someone Movie Review: A thought-provoking thriller

Behind Someone is an investigative crime thriller that stays relevant to our times. The film addresses a contemporary issue about the ghastly crimes happening against middle-class girls in our society. 

Featuring Raaj Suriyan and Niviksha Naidu in the lead roles, the film revolves around a series of murders that take place in the city. Raaj Suriyan plays Ashish, an investigator, who is on the job to trace the culprits behind a series of murders that rock the city. He finds a clue and realizes that a local gang is responsible for these crimes and sets out to teach them a befitting lesson. Why he takes this case personally and how he completes the job is the crux of Behind Someone.

Cast: Raaj Suriyan, Niviksha Naidu, Suman, Ajay
Director: Ajay Nali

The film is a cleverly-plotted crime thriller with the case looking simple enough at first, but new twists slowly emerge that force Ashish to confront the perpetrators. Given its budget, producer Dr Sunil Kumar Sing Singavaram ensures excellent production values as the film is stylish and suspenseful, and never lets your attention thanks to its brisk pacing and some intelligent plotting. Like some of the engaging crime thrillers, Behind Someone keeps you guessing until the end -- not about who the villain is, but about how Ashish will take them down. Right away Behind Someone sucks you into its drama because it’s set in an urban, middle-class neighborhood, and is treated like the kind of tragedy that could happen to just about anyone.

The screenplay unravels neatly but also sluggishly, particularly in the first half which culminates in a good twist. You do wish, more than once, that this thriller would gather pace, but frankly, this isn’t so much a nail-biting tension-ridden tale as it is a suspense-soaked whodunit.

Director Ajay Nali paints a realistic yet relatable tale of the city and gives us a leading man who is sincere in his portrayal. The twists, in a way, are difficult to predict, the dialogues are crisp and Raaj Suriyan is perfectly complemented by Ajay, Ravi Babu, and Suman in pivotal roles. 

Largely grippy and at times moody, Behind Someone is a throwback to those fine crime thrillers of the 90s. However, the director would have tried hard to tie up too many loose ends.

Vijay Karuvkula’s background score makes for its interesting premise, while Venkat Anem with his cinematography captures the mood of the film.

Overall, despite some gaping plot holes, Behind Someone works as an engaging yet thought-provoking thriller that works in parts, and benefits from a convincing performance from its lead and supporting actors.