Is Saleem Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2009)

📖 The Core Premise

Saleem returns to the screen in 2009, bringing a fresh narrative to the Action, Comedy genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Satyavati (Ileana) is the daughter of a rich and idealistic landlord/factionist in Rayalaseema. She is brought up in Europe for the past 15 years. She visits her home town after a long gap and she is attacked by the rival factionist. Munna (Vishnu Manchu) comes from nowhere and rescues her. Then he settles in her house as a worker and earns the love and trust of all Satyavati’s family members. He loves Satyavati. But Satyavati’s father wants to marry off to another guy. Just about when the marriage is going to happen, it is revealed that Satyavati has a lover (Venkat) from Europe and she uses Munna to help her escape to Europe. Just when Satyavati goes to Europe, it is revealed that Munna is none but a mafia kingpin from Bangkok called Saleem and Satyavati lover’s brother is none but a dreaded European don called OJo a.k.a. Ogiraja Jogayya (Mohan Babu). The rest of the story is all about how Saleem wins Satyavati over with his one-side love and his encounters with OJo."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Vishnu Manchu does well with the material given, though the script occasionally limits their range. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Action. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Saleem worth your time? If you appreciate Action, Comedy films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Saleem is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 164 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.