The idea sounds explosive on paper — a love story soaked in betrayal, revenge, and crime, wrapped in a massy thriller setup. But when Dacoit finally hits theatres, it feels like a film stuck between what it wants to be and what it ends up becoming.
Directed by Shaneil Deo, this Telugu-Hindi bilingual tries to blend romance, action, and heist drama into one intense ride. Instead, it often loses grip just when things begin to get interesting.
A Love Story That Turns Into Revenge — But Never Fully Lands
The film moves across timelines, starting in 2021 with Hari (Adivi Sesh) breaking out of jail, carrying years of anger toward Saraswati, also called Juliet (Mrunal Thakur). Their past takes us back to 2005 — a classic setup of lovers divided by class, betrayal, and circumstance.
Hari, a man from a poor background, falls deeply for Saraswati, who comes from privilege. But just when their story begins to build, it collapses under a twist that sends him to prison — allegedly because of her. Thirteen years later, that emotional wound hasn’t healed.
What follows is supposed to be a layered mix of revenge and unresolved love, with a side plot involving Saraswati’s husband and a medical crisis. The film tries to weave all of this into a gripping thriller, but the emotional core never fully connects.
Big Setup, Old-School Execution
This is where Dacoit struggles the most. The film clearly aims to be a full-blown mass entertainer — slow-motion shots, dramatic dialogues, and heavy action. But instead of feeling fresh, it leans too heavily on outdated storytelling styles.
The screenplay jumps across timelines without much clarity, which makes the narrative feel scattered. Scenes that should build tension often feel stretched or predictable. Even the heist elements, which should have been the film’s strongest hook, come across as basic and undercooked.
There’s also an obvious attempt to cater to a traditional mass audience, but that choice limits the film’s overall impact. In an era where action and thrillers have evolved rapidly, Dacoit feels like it’s still playing by older rules.
Performances Hold the Film Together — To an Extent
Adivi Sesh puts in visible effort, especially in the action and emotional beats. He tries to carry the film’s intensity, but the weak character arc doesn’t give him enough to truly shine.
Mrunal Thakur gets a role with potential, but the writing doesn’t fully explore it. Her character swings between emotional depth and exaggerated drama, which affects the overall impact. The chemistry between the leads — crucial for a story like this — feels surprisingly flat.
Anurag Kashyap, in a smaller role, brings a spark whenever he appears. His screen presence adds a layer of intrigue that the film otherwise struggles to maintain.
Where the Film Slips
The biggest issue isn’t the story itself — it’s how it’s told. The film has all the right ingredients: romance, betrayal, crime, and revenge. But the execution feels uneven.
The first half shows promise, hinting at a sharper heist drama. Then the second half slows things down with predictable turns and overstretched moments. Dialogues, especially in the Hindi version, often feel awkwardly translated, breaking immersion.
Even the action sequences — meant to be a highlight — lack the finesse and tension expected from the genre today.
The Takeaway
Dacoit had the potential to be a gripping, emotional thriller with mass appeal. Instead, it settles for a familiar path without adding anything new.
It’s not entirely without merit — there are moments where the film almost finds its rhythm — but those flashes are too brief. In the end, what could have been a sharp, intense ride turns into a film that feels busy, loud, and ultimately underwhelming.
