‘Second Case of Seetharam’: Vijay Raghavendra stars in an engaging slow-burn thriller

Filmmaker Devi Prasad Shetty completes a hat-trick of cop movies starring Vijay Raghavendra with Second Case of Seetharam. It helps that Shetty has taken it a notch higher with every film. If Seetharam Benoy (2021)was a wannabe thriller, Case of Kondana (2024) was a thriller with a lot of purpose. On the flip side, the big reveals didn’t feel organic. In his third movie, Shetty makes his most complete thriller yet. Despite a bumpy start, the movie gradually picks up to become a watchable, slow-burning crime thriller.

The sequel to Seetharam Benoy takes us back to the Anegedde police station in a fictional small town against a lush green backdrop. A series of gruesome murders puts the reputation of Inspector Seetharam (Vijay Raghavendra) at stake.

The film has a bumpy start. It takes itself too seriously while offering a routine experience of a crime thriller. The first 30 minutes of the plot are marred by cliches. There is a killer who is two steps ahead of the investigative officer. He could be a “cold-blooded psychopath”, “ as the forensic officer says. Of course, the cops have to see if he is leaving behind his signature after every murder. These elements are basic in any thriller and nothing unique for us to situp and notice. Some of the English dialogues (”I think we have got him”, “I think it’s started again”) are unitentionally silly because the state the obvious

Of course, it’s improbable to reveal the killer far too early in the narrative while simultaneously sustaining interest. So, Gopalkrishna Deshpande plays a character meant to mislead you, only for the plot to spring a surprise later. Yet, his character arc is interesting enough to keep our curiosity intact.

The cinematography from Hemanth Acharya is one of the striking aspects of Second Case of Seetharam. The unconventional framing and the restless camera movement create an atmospheric feel. The staging of key scenes is impressive. The director uses slow motion to heighten the impact of the big reveals, ensuring we feel a sense of fear inside us.

Second Case of Seetharam could have benefited from an emotionally resonant protagonist. The story tries to give him a quintessential troubled past, but it’s not explored in detail.

Seetharam remains an enigma for the viewers. Of course, he is good at his job. But, what does he think of his high-stressful and thankless job? Does he yearn for emotional support or companionship? Where does he get his sharp investigative skills? The movie doesn’t delve into the mind of the protagonist.

This writing blip is compensated by how the film tracks the journey of the antagonist. It shows the psychology that drives the character to be a serial killer. The sequel doesn’t jolt you, but it has some well-imagined twists. It is a restrained thriller that takes its time to produce the desired effect.

Second Case of Seetharam is currently running in theatres