‘Pattudala’ is the Telugu dubbed version of the Tamil star Ajith Kumar-starrer ‘Vidaamuyarchi’. Directed by Magiz Thirumeni and produced by Lyca Productions, this action thriller is inspired by the 1997 Hollywood film Breakdown. Starring Ajith and Trisha, with Arjun Sarja and Regina Cassandra in key roles, the film was released in theaters on February 6, 2025. The movie, which came out without much promotion in Telugu, has created some hype among Ajith fans. However, did this road trip thriller live up to the expectations of the audience? Did Ajith work out his magic on screen? Let’s dive in
What is the story?
The story of ‘Pattudala’ is set in Azerbaijan. Arjun (Ajith Kumar) is a man with a prestigious job and his wife Kayal (Trisha) is about to get divorced after 12 years of marriage. Before they part ways, they decide to go on one last road trip. Arjun sets out to drop Kayal off in her hometown of Tbilisi. However, during this journey, their car breaks down in a remote area and there is no cellphone connectivity. During this time, they meet a couple named Rakshit (Arjun Sarja) and Deepika (Regina Cassandra). Arjun sends them with them to take Kayal to a nearby restaurant. But when Arjun reaches the restaurant, Kayal is not there—she has disappeared. Where has Kayal gone? Who kidnapped her? How did Rakshit and Deepika get involved in this mystery? Will Arjun be able to find her? These are the things that drive the story forward.
How did you feel?
First feeling after watching ‘Patthala’—It’s a stylish thriller, but it feels a bit weak in terms of emotions and thrill. The film is based on the 1997 Hollywood film Breakdown, but it lacks the twists and emotional depth that would connect with the modern audience. The first half is very slow—the love story between Arjun and Kayal, the flashbacks of their divorce conflict seem routine. Kayal’s disappearance during the interval makes the story a little interesting, but in the second half, the screenplay becomes more dull where it should have gained momentum.
Ajith’s character is impressive with a stylish, salt-and-pepper look, but his role lacks the usual mass elements. The action scenes are realistic, but there is no thrill. Trisha's character is seen mostly in the first half, her role is limited in the second half. Arjun Sarja did well as the villain, Regina Cassandra impressed as a young woman suffering from a disorder. However, the lack of depth in the supporting characters, the predictable twists in the story made the film too routine. The Azerbaijani locations, cinematography are a plus for the film, but the lack of emotional connect, and the lack of grip in the screenplay made the film dull.
How did the actors do?
Ajith Kumar carried the film to some extent with his style and grace. His salt and pepper look and screen presence give a kick to the fans, but his typical mass elements are missing in this role. It is noteworthy that in some scenes he looks slim and in others he looks slightly heavy, which may be due to the shooting gaps. Trisha gave a decent performance as Kayal in the first half, but her role is almost non-existent in the second half. Arjun Sarja looked strong in the villain role, his screen presence is the highlight of the film. Regina Cassandra impressed with her varied performance in her character, especially her disorder shades are well-developed. Supporting characters like Aarav, Nikhil Nair, Ganesh are okay, but their roles are not very memorable.
How is the technical teamwork?
Om Prakash's cinematography is the biggest plus of the film. He captures the landscapes of Azerbaijan, road trip scenes, and action sequences brilliantly. The visuals of the film are rich and attractive. Anirudh Ravichander's background score and songs are disappointing. His typical energetic music is missing in this film, and the BGM fails to elevate the scenes. N.B. Srikanth's editing is smooth at some places, but there are unnecessary scenes in the first half and a bit of a stretch in the second half. The production values are grand, and the Telugu dubbing is decent. The action scenes are designed realistically, but the thrill is not there.
How is the direction?
Magiz Thirumeni has made 'Pattudala' a stylish road thriller, but he has failed in terms of screenplay and emotional connect. Although he took inspiration from Breakdown, he has not been able to update the story to suit the modern audience. Choosing Azerbaijan as a backdrop was a smart decision, but the lack of gripping moments and shocking twists in the story made the direction weak. In the first half, Arjun and Kayal's romance and conflict scenes were routine, while in the second half, the kidnapping mystery disengaged where it should have gained momentum. The climax action sequence is also not up to the mark of pleasing the mass audience, and the BGM feels a bit cheap with English and Telugu lyrics.
Hits:
Om Prakash Cinematography, Azerbaijan Visuals
Ajith's Stylish Look, Screen Presence
Arjun Sarja, Regina Cassandra Performance
Realistic Action Scenes Design
Grand Production Values, Decent Telugu Dubbing
Missed:
Weak Story, Predictable Screenplay, No Twists
Lack of Emotional Connect, Lack of Thrill
Anirudh Ravichander's Music Disappointing
Stretchy Second Half, Dull Narration
Missing Mass Elements in Ajith's Role
Final Word:
'Pattudala' starts as a stylish road thriller, but fails to impress due to the weak screenplay, lack of emotional depth, and predictable story. Ajith's stylish look, Arjun Sarja, Regina's performance, Azerbaijan visuals breathe some life into the film, but Anirudh's music, dull narration, and scenes without thrills make the film mediocre. His screen presence will provide some entertainment for Ajith fans, but this film is a disappointment for thriller lovers and general audiences. Skipping the theaters and watching it on Netflix is a better option.
Recommendation: Ajith fans and those who like stylish action thrillers can give it a try. But, those who expect a gripping story and thrilling twists should lower their expectations.
Rating: 2.5/5