Vedaa Review: John Abraham, Sharvari Starrer Has A Promising Start But Falls Short In Second Half

Vedaa review: Like a cricket match where a strong start sometimes leads to a downfall, 'Vedaa' starring John Abraham, Sharvari, begins with promise but ultimately falls short of expectations.

Vedaa review: Much like a cricket match where a strong start sometimes leads to an unexpected downfall, 'Vedaa,' starring John Abraham, Sharvari, begins with promise but ultimately falls short of expectations. With an intriguing trailer, a compelling concept, and a strong first half, the film raises hopes, only to leave a sense of incompleteness as it progresses.  

Vedaa storyline

'Vedaa' is a tale of social hierarchy and caste discrimination, themes that have been prevalent for generations. Set in the rural backdrop of Barmer, Rajasthan, the story revolves around a village where the head of 150 villages dictates the law. Amidst this, a lower-caste boy falls in love with an upper-caste girl, sparking a deadly conflict. 'Vedaa' (Sharvari), a lower-caste girl with aspirations of becoming a boxer, finds support from Abhimanyu (John Abraham), an ex-army officer. However, when her brother's love affair brings turmoil to the family, the situation spirals into a violent clash.  

How is the film

Vedaa is essentially Sharvari's film, with her playing the central character. The movie starts strong, with some shocking scenes highlighting caste-based discrimination, making it clear that this isn't just another action flick—it has depth. The first half builds anticipation and sets high expectations. However, the second half falls into the trap of clichés we've seen in countless films before. The narrative shifts focus to John Abraham's character saving Sharvari repeatedly, which leads to a repetitive and underwhelming experience for the audience. Had the film balanced action with emotional depth and focused more on the story, it could have been much better. 

Performances

Sharvari is the heart and soul of this film. Her performance is outstanding, whether it's mastering the local dialect or her impressive body language—she shines throughout. Her work in the second half, especially the scene where she cuts her hair, is compelling enough to keep you engaged. Sharvari’s talent is evident, and she’s undoubtedly poised for great success in Hindi cinema. John Abraham delivers a solid performance, fitting well into his role. Known for his action prowess, he impresses once again. Abhishek Banerjee is exceptional as the villain, bringing intensity to every scene he’s in. Ashish Vidyarthi, Kshitij Chauhan, and Kumud Mishra, though in smaller roles, leave a lasting impact with their performances. Tamannaah Bhatia’s cameo is also noteworthy. 

Direction

Nikkhil Advani’s direction earns full marks for the first half, but the second half only gets half of that. The film starts off strong, raising hopes for a great cinematic experience, but as the second half unfolds, those expectations crumble. The first half hints at a powerful film, but it doesn't sustain its momentum, leaving much to be desired. With more attention to the latter part, Vedaa could have been exceptional. 

'Vedaa' is worth a watch, especially for Sharvari’s stellar performance and the film’s compelling subject matter. Despite its flaws, it deserves extra points for tackling such a relevant topic with such a talented cast.