Genre: Action/Thriller
Language: Hindi
Release Date: 2024
Plot Summary
“Agent” follows the story of RAW chief Col. Mahadev, also known as “The Devil,” who is interrogated about an impossible mission to kill two terrorists. These terrorists work for a private terror organization called “The Syndicate,” led by Central Minister Jai Kishan and “The God.” An aspiring youngster, Ramakrishna “Ricky,” wants to become a RAW agent and is assigned by Mahadev to infiltrate and capture “The God,” who is revealed to be Dharma, a former RAW agent planning to spread a deadly virus. The film revolves around Ricky’s mission to stop Dharma and save the country.
Production and Release
The film was announced in September 2020 and directed by Surender Reddy. Filming took place in various locations, including Hyderabad, Budapest, Visakhapatnam, and Manali. The release was delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic and production issues. Eventually, “Agent” was released on April 28, 2023. Despite high expectations, the film received mixed to negative reviews and was a commercial disappointment, leading to apologies from the producer and lead actor for commencing production without a bound script.
Casting
Akhil Akkineni stars as the protagonist, with his role inspired by the character of Jason Bourne. Mammootty plays a significant role, marking his debut in Telugu cinema alongside Dino Morea, who plays the main antagonist. Model Sakshi Vaidya makes her debut as the female lead. The casting process included considerations for actors like Mohanlal and Upendra before finalizing Mammootty.
Filming Locations and Challenges
Filming began in July 2021 in Hyderabad and later included locations like Budapest, Visakhapatnam, and Manali. The production faced numerous delays due to the pandemic and other challenges, causing the release date to shift multiple times. Action sequences were a significant focus, with choreographed scenes in various locations. The film also saw changes in its music composition team, initially choosing Thaman S and later replacing him with the Tamil musical duo Hiphop Tamizha.
Music and Songs
The film’s music rights were owned by Lahari Music and T Series. Four singles were released: “Malli Malli,” “Endhe Endhe,” “Rama Krishna,” and “Wild Saala,” each contributing to the film’s promotion. “Malli Malli” notably sampled the bassline instrumental from the 2015 song “Save Dat Money” by Lil Dicky, Fetty Wap, and Rich Homie Quan.
Critical Reception
“Agent” received largely negative reviews. Critics praised the acting and action sequences but criticized the script, soundtrack, and VFX. Notable reviews include:
- Srivathsan Nadadhur of OTTplay gave it 3/5 stars, highlighting its engaging elements despite flaws.
- 123Telugu rated it 2.5/5 stars, noting a mediocre spy thriller with some entertaining action sequences but a disappointing second half.
- Neeshita Nyayapati of The Times of India rated it 2/5 stars, calling it a boring spy thriller despite Akhil’s performance.
- Latha Srinivasan of India Today gave it 2/5 stars, criticizing the lack of a plausible story.
- Raghu Bandi of The Indian Express also rated it 2/5 stars, noting its adherence to typical action film patterns.
- Abhilasha Cherukuri of Cinema Express rated it 1.5/5 stars, describing it as tedious and unmemorable.
- Bhuvanesh Chandar of The Hindu criticized it for its generic story and annoying lead character.
- Ram Venkat Srikar of Film Companion pointed out the film’s lack of creativity and wildness, calling it a colossal mess.
