 "Operation Valentine movie review: Varun Tej and Manushi Chhillar’s aerial drama fails to fly high")
Cast: Varun Tej and Manushi Chhillar
Director: Shakti Pratap Singh Hada
Language: Hindi and Telugu
The trailer of Operation Valentine begins with a note that use headphones for better experience and we shall love the background music. After Tejas and Fighter, we get back to the cockpits and conflicts of airplanes and pilots even though 90% of Indians have not even been to the airport (Pun anyone?). The staging is now clear- We need a swelling background score that camouflages with the slow motion shot of the hero to fuel his heroism. Kangana Ranaut and Hrithik Roshan have done the honors, it’s now Varun Tej carrying that baton.
There’s only a point till which you can think unconventional. Stories that parade as love letters to the country are somehow forced to walk, talk, and behave a certain way. The hero needs to exorcise some demons, his work is his only remedy, he’ll reek of recklessness, and wear his irresponsibility as a badge of pride. Varun Tej commands the screen and brims with swag, even when you know you’ve seen the swag and the style before. The smirk is now morphing into being snooty which was described by Roshan’s character Patty in _Fighter_ as confidence.
Love and Hate
February 14, 2019- The Pulawa Attacks that shook the nation. Of course, it’s labeled as an act of cowardice and India has to retaliate. The date makes the hero call the operation as Valentine. The name does put up a smile to your face but not the events prior and post the reveal. By now, the intent and craft don’t really matter much as it all boils down to how many times do we have to see familiar stories and images.
Where the film does score is how it keeps certain things restrained, especially the scenes that involve Tej and his officers, and how they have to do what they have to do. Manushi Chhillar has a lovely screen presence and Tej is built like a tank that suits his brooding personality needed for this character.
But the film, despite being inspired by real-life events, doesn’t end up anything more than a passable affair couples can catch up on Valentine’s Day.
Rating: 2.5 (out of 5 stars)
Operation Valentine is playing in cinemas
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