Drive
- Original: Telugu
- Cast: Aadhi Pinisetty, Madonna Sebastian
- Director: Jenuse Mohamed
- OTT: Amazon Prime Video
- Satellite: NA
- Tamil Dub: Available
About Movie: Synopsis
A powerful media figure becomes the target of a dangerous hacker who pulls him into a deadly psychological game. As secrets unravel and threats escalate, he must race against time to protect his family, reputation, and life in this intense action-packed thriller.
Drive (2025) Telugu Movie Review
About Movie :
Drive is a 2025 Telugu high-concept suspense thriller directed by Jenuse Mohamed and produced by V. Ananda Prasad under the Bhavya Creations banner. Starring Aadhi Pinisetty and Madonna Sebastian, the film attempts to bring a fresh, tech-noir aesthetic to the Telugu screen. The movie focuses on the intersection of media power and digital vulnerability, set against the backdrop of modern-day Hyderabad.
One-line Story: A media tycoon’s life turns into a living nightmare when a mysterious hacker hijacks his luxury car and personal data, forcing him to complete dangerous tasks to save his family.
Screenplay in 1st half and 2nd half
1st Half: The Gripping Hook The first half of the film is where the "drive" is most effective. The screenplay introduces us to Jayadev Reddy (Aadhi Pinisetty), a powerful and somewhat arrogant media mogul. The setup is swift—within the first 20 minutes, Jay finds himself trapped in his own vehicle, which has been remotely taken over by an anonymous hacker. The tension is palpable as the car speeds through traffic against Jay's will. The dialogue between the hacker and Jay is sharp, and the mystery behind the hacker's identity builds a strong sense of intrigue. This portion feels racy and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
2nd Half: The Predictable Path The momentum takes a noticeable dip in the second half. As the hacker’s identity and motives begin to surface, the film shifts from a unique "trapped-in-a-car" thriller to a standard revenge drama. The screenplay becomes heavy with exposition, and the logic starts to feel a bit stretched. The pacing slows down significantly as it tries to justify the villain's actions through long backstories involving a secret nationalist deal. While the climax features an exciting cameo that temporarily boosts the energy, the narrative resolution feels rushed and somewhat conventional compared to the innovative start.
Performance
Aadhi Pinisetty: Aadhi delivers a fantastic performance that is largely confined to a single seat. He successfully conveys the shift from arrogance to sheer terror and eventually to desperate calculation. His facial expressions do the heavy lifting in scenes where physical movement is restricted.
Madonna Sebastian: She plays the lead’s fiancée, but the character feels underwritten. Most of her scenes involve reacting to events rather than driving them, leaving her with limited scope to perform.
Supporting Cast: Raja Chembolu and Anish Kuruvilla provide decent support, but the standout in the latter half is Satyadev. His cameo appearance brings a much-needed intensity to the climax, proving once again his ability to command the screen in a limited timeframe.
Technical Highlights
The film is a technical winner. Abinandhan Ramanujam's cinematography is excellent, using tight frames and innovative lighting to make the car interior feel both sleek and claustrophobic. The Osho Venkat background score effectively complements the suspense, though it occasionally feels a bit loud during the more dramatic sequences. The production values by Bhavya Creations are top-notch, giving the film a high-budget international feel.
Ratings
Story & Concept: 3/5
Screenplay & Pacing: 2.5/5
Performances: 3.5/5
Technical Values: 4/5
Overall Verdict: Decent One-Time Watch
Final Rating: 2.5 / 5
Final Note: Drive starts off as a promising, high-stakes thriller but eventually settles into a routine revenge plot. It is worth watching for Aadhi Pinisetty’s acting and the high technical standards, though it fails to leave a lasting impact due to a weak second half.
