Dhada acquires importance for two reasons. One, it is directed by a person who doesn't belong to the old school of thought so obviously one expects a contemporary touch and a fresh feel to the film. Next, it is touted to be a complete action movie, the first for Naga Chaitanya who is looking to get out of the romantic image. The title that means fear or suspense leads to a story where a sibling working for a mafia is compelled to kill the person he loves most and the person happens to be the hero.

While that is the story, does it live upto the expectations of movie buffs who are starved to see a good straight Telugu film? In any film, the first fifteen minutes is the key to keep the audience glued to the seats or atleast show them some hope that the film is sure to give you a story. Dhada flounders from the very beginning. Mostly shot abroad, director Ajay Bhuyan shows his virtuosity only in presentation and styling of the lead pair in terms of costumes but gives into the cinematic liberties on many occasions and consciously abstains from being true to his script.

Sriram's presence is fresh but too many cuts right from the beginning of the film strips the story of the emotional connection. He is just any other character, the childhood episode that Chaitanya narrates to Sriram is tad boring. The intro scene has the hero jumping from heights to catch a thief while his brother and sister-in-law wait at the college for his graduation ceremony. There is another cut, and you are introduced to the villain and there is another cut, you get to see the heroine, and another cut, say hello to the next villain and then come back to the hero.

While you are busy joining the threads, what depletes your patience instantly is the comedy track. In an action film if a person is working with a mafia he is expected to show some skill in fighting or at least some anger; Till Sriram is cornered and help arrives in the form of his brother, he portrays a very hapless look, doesn't put up a fight and starts fleeing like a onlooker on the street being victimized for no reason. One wonders if he worked for the mafia or his brother.

Kajal is given a more hip and a young look and she looks pretty, the fringe et al. But in another cinematic cliché she appears in a traditional wear when being introduced to the hero's family. She plays the role of a woman who leads a lonely life because of her father's indifference and mother's non-existence; in one particular scene, she watches her mother's memories and expresses her plight through her eyes which is very impressive. However Chinmayi's dubbing didn't suit Kajal, appears very disoriented.

Naga Chaitanya is supposed to have been raised in the USA, but why the mass numbers in lungis? The actor appears very comfortable playing romantic roles, why the hurry to showcase Nitin like dance steps, and hitting people who appear bigger than him in structure, frame and height? The industry has not given the people any options, but the filmmakers can atleast desist from showing heroes in long shots. Naga Chaitanya shows confidence in his dances but his scenes with Brahmanandam looks very superficial, it is as if a kid is trying to outdo an adult and the adult is willing to be fooled.

Amit should learn to wink, Rahul Dev looks smart, his stories to different people don't make any difference to the real story, on the other hand it's gratifying to see Rahul and Kelly not screaming their guts out like other baddies in movies. Dhada appears half-baked and amateurish, the film doesn't instill fear or suspense but definitely keeps you guessing if the hero in the film knew swimming. Finally, Naga Chaitanya offers two options to almost every character he bumps into in the story but doesn't extend the same magnanimity to the unsuspecting audience.