Review: Dacoit - Fails To Win Hearts

 

Movie: Dacoit
Rating: 2.25/5

Cast: Adivi Sesh, Mrunal Thakur, Anurag Thakur, Kamakshi Bhaskarla, Atul Kulkarni, Prakash Raj, Sunil, and others

Director: Shaneil Deo

Produced By: Supriya Yarlagadda

Release Date: 10-04-2026

Story:

Hari Das (Adivi Sesh) is a young man from a lower-caste family in Hindupur, located in the Rayalaseema region. He falls in love with Saraswathi, whom he affectionately calls Juliet (Mrunal Thakur). She belongs to an upper-caste family. Due to a series of unexpected events, Hari ends up in prison and becomes convinced that Saraswathi is the sole reason his life has been turned upside down.

After spending more than a decade in jail, Hari escapes and sets out to take revenge on Saraswathi. The rest of the film revolves around whether he succeeds in his revenge, what really happened between them in the past, and the dangerous mission they undertake in the present.

Performances:

Adivi Sesh delivers a decent performance in the lead role. His screen presence is strong, and he looks effective in the mass and buildup scenes. However, his Rayalaseema accent does not feel entirely convincing. Mrunal Thakur gets a substantial role and delivers a superb performance. Anurag Thakur and Kamakshi Bhaskarla make their presence felt, while Atul Kulkarni is adequate in his part. Prakash Raj, Sunil, and the rest of the cast are merely present and do not add much value to the film.

What Works:

The title sequence is excellent, and the robbery episodes that follow work well, even if they are not extraordinary. As mentioned earlier, Mrunal Thakur’s performance stands out. A couple of emotional sequences featuring Adivi Sesh in the second half are handled effectively. The visuals are impressive, and the background score adds good intensity to the film.

What Doesn’t Work:

Despite having a routine storyline, Dacoit had all the ingredients to become a gripping and emotional ride. Unfortunately, the film fails to present its narrative convincingly, especially in the second half, where many sequences fall flat and often defy logic.

If the emotional depth had been stronger, many of the film’s flaws could have been overlooked. For instance, Hari is shown carrying immense anger and hatred toward Saraswathi, with a strong desire to destroy her. For such a revenge angle to work, the backstory needs to be powerful and convincing. Sadly, Dacoit fails to deliver that impact.

The reason behind Saraswathi’s betrayal is easy to predict from the very moment the scene unfolds, and when it is later revealed as a twist, it fails to create any real impact. Similarly, the robbery scenes and the cat-and-mouse game with the police are handled inadequately. As a result, the climax, which should have elevated the film to the next level, ends up falling flat.

Dacoit Review And Verdict:

Shaneil Deo’s Dacoit comes with a promising plot, and the lead pair, Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur, try their best to make it an engaging ride. However, apart from a brief stretch in the first half and one or two scenes post-interval, the film fails to fully deliver.
The crucial scenes and major twists in the second half, including the climax, fall flat and lack the desired impact.