Akshara - Lethal Letters

 

Akshara

Telugu, 2021

Director - B. Chinni Krishna

 

Stars - Nandita Swetha, Satya, Ajay Ghosh, Shakalaka Shankar

 

Mohan's Measure ⭐⭐

Telugu movie-goers will remember the Ms. Swetha from her performance a "ghost of girlfriend passed" in Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada.  It is because of that certain screen presence she seems to carry so well; one that feels both charming yet dangerous.

 

Her performance in this comedy-thriller is just as impressive, if not more.  The actress plays Akshara, a teacher at a high-commodity junior college in which a tragic suicide has just occurred.  Following this suicide, however, a series of brutal murders starts taking place.  The suspect is obvious, but the motive remains a mystery to the police.  The reasons offered hit home, with a very direct message about parental often unrealistic expectations of their children's success in school and college.

 

Writer/Director Krishna seems to set expectations on the Ms. Swetha too high. Her acting makes up for a plot having holes bigger than a rooftop after a Texas hailstorm.

 

You will be reminded of your college days after seeing this movie.  Your head will be filled with many unanswered questions.