Jithender Reddy movie review: A dull political tribute with no spirit and little craft

Jithender Reddy, directed by Virinchi Varma, aims to bring to life the journey of a political leader who stood up for his ideals in the face of adversity. This biopic, however, falls short of delivering a meaningful narrative or compelling action, ultimately reducing the life of its titular character to a monotonous exercise in political glorification. Irrespective of political ideology, the ones who are familiar with Jithender Reddy of Jagityala know that his story is nothing short of cinematic. His rise, his penchant for guns, and the massacre ending he had to suffer—you know that story will provide for a gripping cinematic experience. Yet, the film simply wants to be a political sermon with barely any life and thrill.

Director: Virinchi Varma

Cast: Rakesh Varre, Riya Suman, Subbaraju, Ravi Prakash

The film follows Jithender Reddy, played by Rakesh Varre, who, from a young age, dedicates his life to nationalist causes. Set in the politically charged atmosphere of 1980s Jagtial, Telangana, Reddy emerges as a staunch RSS supporter, striving to protect the nation from what he perceives as the threat posed by leftist ideologies and naxalite movements. His journey is one of unwavering resolve as he battles these forces with a singular determination. 

One of the primary drawbacks of Jithender Reddy is its screenplay, which lacks any dynamic elements to keep viewers engaged. The pacing is sluggish, with repetitive scenes that progress the story only on a superficial level—more like a Wikipedia run-through of events. The narrative, without any delay, opens with an overly simplistic portrayal of good and evil, portraying leftist ideologies and naxalites as the unequivocal villains. Of course, from a film like this, you wouldn't expect a grey depiction of socio-politics, but the outright reductionist approach clearly tells you which side the film leans towards. Alright, let's put the politics aside; let's talk about the plot, the craft and the writing choices. The proceedings of each event in Reddy's life are neither depicted inspiringly nor empathetically for you to care about the subject on screen. There is no real tension or stakes, with the outcome of each conflict feeling predictable and uninspired. How will audiences care for the protagonist without any emotional investment?

What was Jithender Reddy as a person, what were his routines, his lifestyle, his habits, his pet peeves, what he is as a person could have been a great starting point, at least, to make us develop a connection with him. In biopics of larger-than-life figures like these, the makers often tend to avoid any depth in the protagonist. When you, as a person, hear that someone stood up to an attack, pulled their revolver and shot the enemy—that's a goosebumps moment. There are many such moments in Jithender Reddy's life. All of this can be equally exciting on screen when you humanise the subject first. But that's where most of them fail to make an impact.

The core idea is for people to celebrate this hero, but where is the film ever making an effort to make you root for him. A successful biopic, regardless of its political leanings, should delve into the personal struggles, doubts, and complexities of its protagonist. Instead, Jithender Reddy presents its hero as a flawless individual, driven by an unwavering sense of duty. While this might appeal to ardent followers of his political views, it alienates most of the general audience. 

The cast, unfortunately, does not manage to salvage the film. Rakesh Varre, who has shown a lot of promise in previous films like Evvarikee Cheppoddu, tries to bring an earnestness to his portrayal of Jithender Reddy. However, he is hamstrung by the script’s lack of emotional range and narrative progression. Varre’s portrayal is relegated to playing a static figure, more of a symbol than a real person, which makes his performance feel like a stage-play sermon at a high school republic day event.

The supporting cast, including Riya Suman, Subbaraju, and Ravi Prakash, also struggles to make an impact, primarily because the film gives them little to work with. Their characters serve more as vehicles to reinforce Reddy’s heroism rather than as fully realised individuals with their own motivations and arcs.

From a technical perspective, Jithender Reddy suffers from a lack of visual and auditory cohesion. Gnana Shekar V.S., a cinematographer known for his striking visuals, delivers uninspired and ‘get the job done’ work. Gopi Sundar’s music, typically a fantastic musician, fails to resonate here, with an underwhelming score that neither amplifies the emotional beats nor adds any excitement to the narrative. Had the music been more exciting and intensifying, the overall drama could have soared, delivering the thrills it needed to. Especially in the action sequences in the interval, with a high-octane score, could have done wonders.

One of the most anticipated moments in the film, the climax, which attempts to recreate a significant massacre from Reddy’s life, also disappoints. The incident, which should have been depicted with tension and raw emotion, feels haphazard and fails to capture the gravity of the real-life event. The film melodramatically glosses over the emotional impact of the incident, opting instead for a muted portrayal that does little to honour the horrific nature of the event or its impact on Reddy’s legacy.

Ultimately, Jithender Reddy may appeal to a niche audience aligned with the political ideals it seeks to glorify. However, for the general audience, the film offers little in terms of entertainment or insight. As a biopic, it fails to capture the human essence of its subject, reducing Jithender Reddy to a myth rather than portraying him as a relatable hero. This lack of life in the character and the empty action sequences make Jithender Reddy a missed opportunity, one that could have been a thought-provoking exploration of a staunch political figure with nail-biting action-thrills, but instead ends up as a dull tribute lacking in both action and insight.