Zebra (film)
{{short description|Indian action thriller film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Zebra
| image = Zebra (2024 film).jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Eashvar Karthic
| story = Eashvar Karthic
| screenplay = Eashvar Karthic
Yuva
{{Infobox
| decat = yes
| child = yes
| label1= Dialogues by
| data1 = Meeraqh
}}
| producer =Bala Sundaram
Dinesh Sundaram
S. N. Reddy
| starring = Satyadev
Dhananjaya
Sunil
Satya
Priya Bhavani Shankar
Jeniffer Piccinato
Sathyaraj
| cinematography = Sathya Ponmar
| editing = Anil Krish
| music = Ravi Basrur
| studio = Old Town Pictures
Padmaja Films Private Limited
| released = {{film date|2024|11|22|df=yes}}
| country = India
| language = Telugu
| gross =
}}
Zebra is 2024 Indian Telugu-language action thriller film directed by Eashvar Karthic, who co-wrote with Yuva.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/zebra-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdi2mdq1|title=Zebra|website=British Board of Film Classification|quote=}}{{Cite news |last=ANI |date=2023-11-20 |title=Pan India film 'ZEBRA' wraps up shoot, team celebrates milestone with a grand wrap party |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/pan-india-film-zebra-wraps-up-shoot-team-celebrates-milestone-with-a-grand-wrap-party/article67554395.ece |access-date=2024-09-27 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=2024-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930083855/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/pan-india-film-zebra-wraps-up-shoot-team-celebrates-milestone-with-a-grand-wrap-party/article67554395.ece |url-status=live }} The film has an ensemble cast of Satyadev, Dhananjaya, Sunil, Satya, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Jeniffer Piccinato and Sathyaraj.{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2023-11-20 |title=Dhananjay wraps up shoot for the multilingual film 'Zebra' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2023/Nov/20/dhananjay-wraps-up-shoot-for-the-multilingual-filmzebra-2634395.html |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=2024-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705164930/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2023/Nov/20/dhananjay-wraps-up-shoot-for-the-multilingual-filmzebra-2634395.html |url-status=live }} The music is composed by Ravi Basrur.
Zebra was released on 22 November 2024 to mixed reviews from critics.{{Cite web |title=South Movies Releasing This Week: Satyadev and Dhananjaya's Zebra to Nazriya Nazim Fahadh, Basil Joseph's Sookshmadarshini |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/south-movies-releasing-this-week-vishwak-sen-starrer-mechanic-rocky-to-nazriya-nazim-fahadh-basil-josephs-sookshmadarshini-1358873?amp |access-date=19 November 2024 |website=Pinkvilla|date=18 November 2024 }}
Plot
Surya, a bank employee, learns that his girlfriend Swathi, a bank employee in a different bank, has made a major mistake in her work. Surya helps Swathi rectify the mistake by using loopholes in banking system, but he soon earns the wrath of Aadhi, an egoistic multi-millionaire. Aadhi tells Surya to pay him {{INR}}5 crore in 4 days, thus leading Surya to get stuck in a life-and-death situation.
Cast
{{Cast listing|
- Satyadev as Surya Kancharana "Pandu", Senior Relationship Manager of Bank of Trust, Gachibowli, Hyderabad
- Dhanajaya as "Aadhi" Aditya Devaraj{{Cite web |last=IANSLive |title=Daali Dhananjay, Sathyadev come together in pan-India actioner 'Zebra' |url=https://ianslive.in/news/daali_dhananjay_sathyadev_come_together_in_pan_india_actioner_zebra_-941028/ENTERTAINMENT/15 |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=IANS Live |archive-date=2023-05-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516181838/https://ianslive.in/news/daali_dhananjay_sathyadev_come_together_in_pan_india_actioner_zebra_-941028/ENTERTAINMENT/15 |url-status=live }}
- Sunil as Madhan Gupta
- Satya as "Buddy" Bob
- Priya Bhavani Shankar as Swathi Navaluri
- Jeniffer Piccinato as "Snake" Sheela Chawla, Branch Manager of Bank of Trust, Gachibowli, Hyderabad
- Sathyaraj as Baba
- Suresh Chandra Menon as Military, Compliance Officer of Bank of Trust
- Temper Vamsi as Benny D'Souza
- Ravin Makhija as Pankaj
- Ramaraju as Tagore
- Surya as Abbu
- Sameer as Janaki Raman
- Prudhvi Raj as Shrungara Samaram, Branch Manager of KDFC Bank, Gachibowli, Hyderabad
- Usha Sree as Jennifer D'Souza, Benny D'Souza's wife
- Deepthi as Flora
- Raviteja as Paani
- Aziz Naser as RP
- Kancharapalem Raju
- Dheer Charan Srivastav
- Hima Varma as Lavanya
- Yogi Khatri
- Sarkar Khatri as Chotu
- Kalyani Natarajan as Surya's mother
- Amrutha Iyengar in a special appearance as Aaradya
- Ramachandra Raju in a special appearance as the Chief Minister}}
Music
The music of the film is composed and scored by Ravi Basrur.
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Teri Meri
| length1 = 4:06
| lyrics1 = Purna Chary
| extra1 = Vijayalaxmi Mettinahole, Santhosh Venky
| title2 = Tere Bina
| length2 = 3:12
| lyrics2 = Krishna Kanth
| extra2 = Airaa Udupi, Santhosh Venky
| title3 = Gaaya Laina
| length3 = 3:40
| lyrics3 = Purna Chary
| extra3 = Santhosh Venky
| title4 = Money Money
| length4 = 3:18
| lyrics4 = Roll Rida
| extra4 = Roll Rida
}}
Release
The film was theatrically released on 22 November 2024.{{Cite news |date=2024-09-19 |title=Eashvar Karthic's 'Zebra' to release on October 31 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/eashvar-karthics-zebra-to-release-on-october-31/articleshow/113491443.cms |access-date=2024-09-27 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2024-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004122938/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/eashvar-karthics-zebra-to-release-on-october-31/articleshow/113491443.cms |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Satya Dev and Dhananjaya's Pan-India Film Zebra Set for Diwali Release |url=https://bollywoodhelpline.com/news/entertainment/movie/satya-dev-and-dhananjaya-s-pan-india-film-zebra-set-for-diwali-release/50173 |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=www.bollywoodhelpline.comnews |language=en |archive-date=2024-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004123047/https://bollywoodhelpline.com/news/entertainment/movie/satya-dev-and-dhananjaya-s-pan-india-film-zebra-set-for-diwali-release/50173 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Zebra teaser: Satyadev, Dhananjaya impress in contrasting roles in this new age crime thriller |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/zebra-teaser-satyadev-dhananjaya-impress-in-contrasting-roles-in-this-new-age-crime-thriller/ad7795239c684 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=OTTPlay |language=en |archive-date=2024-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004122942/https://www.ottplay.com/news/zebra-teaser-satyadev-dhananjaya-impress-in-contrasting-roles-in-this-new-age-crime-thriller/ad7795239c684 |url-status=live }} Post-theatrical digital streaming rights were acquired by Aha and premiered on 20 December 2024.{{Cite news |date=2024-12-18 |title='Zebra' released on OTT: Where to watch the Telugu action thriller |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/zebra-to-be-out-soon-on-ott-when-and-where-to-watch-telugu-action-thriller/articleshow/116336413.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-12-26 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-15 |title=Zebra OTT Release Date Confirmed: When To Watch Priya Bhavani Shankar, Satyadev Kancharana's Telugu Movie On Aha? |url=https://english.jagran.com/entertainment/zebra-ott-release-date-confirmed-when-to-watch-priya-bhavani-shankar-satyadev-kancharana-telugu-movie-on-aha-ott-news-10206900 |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=English Jagran |language=en}}
Reception
Paul Nicodemus of The Times of India rated three stars out of five and stated that "Zebra is an entertaining action thriller that thrives on the electric performances of Satyadev and Dhananjaya."{{Cite news |title=Zebra Movie Review : An engaging action thriller with Satyadev and Dhananjaya at their best |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/zebra/movie-review/115567536.cms |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2024-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127031815/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/zebra/movie-review/115567536.cms |url-status=live }} Sanjay Ponnappa of India Today wrote that "The climax sequence deserves a special shout-out, where the lead up delivers a thrilling culmination point." and rated three out of five stars.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-22 |title=Zebra review: Satyadev, Dhananjaya star in weak financial crime thriller |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/zebra-review-satyadev-dhananjaya-starrer-weak-financial-crime-entertainer-2637890-2024-11-22 |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=2024-11-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130020049/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/zebra-review-satyadev-dhananjaya-starrer-weak-financial-crime-entertainer-2637890-2024-11-22 |url-status=live }} BH Harsh of Cinema Express stated that "Zebra just feels excruciatingly long and worn out" and rated two out of five stars.{{Cite web |last=Harsh |first=B. H. |date=2024-11-23 |title=Zebra movie review: A bloated heist-thriller |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/review/2024/Nov/23/zebra-movie-review-a-bloated-heist-thriller |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}
Avinash Ramachandran of The Indian Express rated the film three out of five stars and wrote that "The film is essentially about how dubious the field of banking is, and the ease with which our hard-earned money does more work for the bank than for us. In many ways, Zebra is like an interesting PSA that asks us to read the fine print before operating a bank account."{{cite news |title=Zebra movie review: Satyadev, Dhananjaya, Sathyaraj power an intriguing but convoluted cat-and-mouse game |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/zebra-movie-review-satyadev-dhananjaya-sathyaraj-9684460/ |work=The Indian Express |date=22 November 2024 |language=en |access-date=1 December 2024 |archive-date=29 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241129131731/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/zebra-movie-review-satyadev-dhananjaya-sathyaraj-9684460/ |url-status=live }} Kirubhakar Purushothaman of News18 gave it three out of five stars and wrote that "There's a lot to call out in Zebra--including the questionable depiction of a female character--but Eashvar Karthic and Yuva's speeding screenplay keeps you entertained and distracted."{{cite news |title=Zebra Movie Review: Pace Makes Up For Flaws In This Heist Thriller |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/zebra-movie-review-pace-makes-up-for-flaws-in-this-heist-thriller-9129456.html |work=News18 |date=22 November 2024 |language=en |access-date=1 December 2024 |archive-date=22 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122085237/https://www.news18.com/movies/zebra-movie-review-pace-makes-up-for-flaws-in-this-heist-thriller-9129456.html |url-status=live }}
Suhas Sistu of The Hans India gave it two and three-fourths out of five stars and wrote, "While the screenplay occasionally gets bogged down by subplots, the film’s core strength lies in its engaging concept and strong performances. With a sharper focus and crisper runtime, Zebra could have reached greater heights."{{cite news |last1=Sistu |first1=Suhas |title='Zebra' movie review: A gripping tale of banking fraud and redemption |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/zebra-movie-review-a-gripping-tale-of-banking-fraud-and-redemption-923685 |work=www.thehansindia.com |date=22 November 2024 |language=en}} Srivathsan Nadadhur of The Hindu wrote, "After a disappointing directorial debut with Penguin, Eashvar Karthic redeems himself with this clever financial thriller, ably supported by a committed bunch — on and off screen."{{cite news |last1=Nadadhur |first1=Srivathsan |title='Zebra' movie review: Satyadev's financial thriller benefits from director Eashvar Karthic's entertaining screenplay |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/zebra-movie-review-satyadevs-financial-thriller-delivers-the-goods/article68896713.ece |work=The Hindu |date=22 November 2024 |language=en-IN |access-date=1 December 2024 |archive-date=23 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241123020441/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/zebra-movie-review-satyadevs-financial-thriller-delivers-the-goods/article68896713.ece |url-status=live }} Y Maheswara Reddy of Bangalore Mirror gave the film three out of five stars and opined that "Director Eashvar Karthic has succeeded in making a thrilling action-crime flick, giving equal screen space to Satyadev Kancharana and Dhananjay."{{cite news |title=Kannada Movie Review- Zebra: Thrilling game of money |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/reviews/kannada-movie-review-zebra-thrilling-game-of-money/articleshow/115573670.cms |work=Bangalore Mirror |date=23 November 2024 |language=en |access-date=1 December 2024 |archive-date=27 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127045007/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/reviews/kannada-movie-review-zebra-thrilling-game-of-money/articleshow/115573670.cms |url-status=live }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|id=tt27757690}}
Category:2020s Telugu-language films
Category:Indian action thriller films
Category:Indian crime thriller films
Category:2024 action thriller films
Category:2024 crime thriller films
Category:Films shot in Hyderabad, India
Category:Films set in Hyderabad, India