Satyam Rajesh, who scored a hit with his last film, Polimera 2, has now come out with an emotional thriller titled Tenant. Y Yugandhar is the director and the Telugu film hit the theatres today.
Set in the backdrop of present-day Hyderabad, Tenant reveals a chilling secret involving Goutam (Satyam Rajesh) and his wife Sandhya (Megha Chowdhury). The story picks up pace when Goutam is arrested by the police under mysterious circumstances – he was caught burning a dead body near a village on the Bengaluru highway.
Story
As the story unfolds, it gets intertwined with another incident involving Rishi (Bharathkanth) and his girlfriend Shravani (Chandana Payaavula) that took place in the same community. The film builds suspense by incorporating twists and turns as the investigating officer (Ester Noronha) digs deeper and tries to connect the dots between the two cases. Tenant turns out to be a thought-provoking suspense thriller that tries to carve a niche for itself within the genre.
Review
Directed by Y Yugandhar, the film marks a significant shift for Satyam Rajesh, who deviates from his typical comedic roles and takes on the role of a tormented husband with a performance full of depth and nuance.
Besides him, Megha Chowdhury, Bharathkanth, Chandana Payaavula, Ester Noronha and others contribute significantly to the ensemble, each of them adding layers to the unfolding drama. The film’s short runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes ensures that the story is told at a brisk and engaging pace without being too drawn out.
The performances are strong throughout, with special praise going to Satyam Rajesh, who seamlessly transitions into a more serious role. Sahityya Sagar’s music and Jemin Jom Ayyaneth’s cinematography complement the tone of the film and enhance the mysterious and suspense-filled atmosphere. Moreover, the film touches on the theme of women’s safety and weaves a social message into its narrative structure.
However, the musical score occasionally comes across as overdramatic, almost soapy, which detracts from the tension rather than building it. The screenplay, while effective, could have been tighter at some points, with some scenes dragging or seeming unnecessary, which hampers the pacing. The overall tone of the film remains melancholic and lacks dynamic twists that would have breathed more life into the story and better engaged the audience.
Verdict
Despite the drawbacks, Tenant is a film worth watching for its performances and its deft handling of a socially relevant topic. For those who appreciate a slow-burn thriller that prioritises atmosphere over action, Tenant offers a passable cinematic experience. If the audience is looking for fast-paced thrills may find it a little lacking.
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