Dacoit A Love Story Review
Movie: Dacoit
Release: 10 April 2026
CBFC Rating: UA
Runtime: 2h 32m
Production Company: S.S. Creations & Suniel Narang Production
Starring: Adivi Sesh, Mrunal Thakur, Anurag Kashyap, Prakash Raj, Sunil, Atul Kulkarni, Zayn Marie Khan, Kamakshi Bhaskarla
Cinematographer: Danush Bhaskar
Music: Bheems Ceciroleo, Gyaani
Editing: Kodati Pavan Kalyan
Presented By: Annapurna Studios
Producer: Supriya Yarlagadda
Written By: Adivi Sesh, Shaneil Deo
Direction: Shaneil Deo
Adivi Sesh, celebrated for his gripping espionage thrillers, takes a refreshing detour with Dacoit A Love Story. Releasing on 10 April 2026 and marking the directorial debut of Shaniel Deo. The anticipation was sky high given Sesh’s return to theatres after a long gap. Co-written by Deo and Sesh. With Mrunal Thakur as the female lead and a strong ensemble including Prakash Raj, Anurag Kashyap, Atul Kulkarni, and Sunil, Dacoit arrives with all the ingredients of a theatrical entertainer.
Plot
Dacoit A Love Story centers on Haridas, called Hari (Adivi Sesh) and his girlfriend Juliet aka Saraswati (Mrunal Thakur). The two share a deep, unconditional bond and vow to stand by each other through every storm. But life has other plans. A shocking betrayal lands Hari in jail, while Saraswati moves on and marries someone else. Years later, fate brings these estranged lovers back together under vastly different circumstances.
The narrative unfolds with several players influencing Hari’s journey. Karuna Hospital founder played by Prakash Raj, Malli played by Kamakshi Bhaskarla, CI Rambabu played by Anurag Kashyap, SI Janaki played by Zayn Marie Khan, CI Prasad played by Sunil, and Ishaq played by Atul Kulkarni all become part of the developments that follow.
Performances
Adivi Sesh delivers a deeply committed performance as Hari. He undergoes a clear physical and stylistic makeover, altering his looks, body language, and mannerisms to fit the role. The Rayalaseema dialect is a new attempt for him. Sesh is at his best in the intense stretches. He is the driving force of Dacoit and he owns every frame.
Mrunal Thakur as Juliet aka Saraswati brings grace and depth to a role that shifts across love, and guilt. In the first half she shares effortless chemistry with Sesh, making their romance feel authentic and worth rooting for. The second half demands more range, and Mrunal steps up. She portrays inner conflict without resorting to melodrama, using subtle expressions and pauses to great effect.
Anurag Kashyap’s Telugu debut as CI Rambabu begins with a powerful introduction. He brings unpredictability and edge to the screen, and his scenes with Sesh spark real tension. Kamakshi Bhaskarla as Malli makes an impact within her limited scope and handles the intense sequences well. Prakash Raj lends gravitas as the hospital founder, Atul Kulkarni is effective as Ishaq, and Sunil provides a grounded presence as CI Prasad. Zayn Marie Khan as SI Janaki has little to do but is sincere.
Highlights:
Adivi Sesh
Mrunal Thakur
Lead Chemistry
Stylish Visuals
Action Blocks
Background Score
Drawbacks
Slow Patches
Dubbing Could Have Been Better
Analysis:
The first half of Dacoit is patient and emotionally rich. Shaniel Deo invests time in building Hari and Saraswati’s relationship so that the eventual separation hits hard. The romance section may feel slightly extended, and tighter editing could have helped the conflict arrive sooner, but the payoff is worth the setup. The interval block is staged with flair and flips the film’s tone from love to loss, setting up a stakes-driven second half.
The second half shifts gears into action, revelation, and reunion. The chase sequences are well designed and shot with clarity by Danush Bhaskar, giving them both style and narrative purpose. The two key twists are smartly placed and reframe the story in a way that feels organic. The Kannepettaro song remix with the title card sequence is a genuine goosebumps moment built for theatres. A few slow patches exist during transitions, but the momentum largely holds and the screenplay keeps circling back to the central relationship.
Technically, Dacoit is first rate. Danush Bhaskar’s cinematography is splendid. Bheems Ceciroleo’s music is decent and situational, with a couple of tracks standing out for melody and picturization. Gyaan’s background score is a major asset, elevating scenes from the start and adding punch to the action parts. Kodati Pawan Kalyan’s editing is sharp, especially in the second half. The production values are grand, visible in the scale, design, and polish of every frame. On the whole, Dacoit A Love Story is a compelling romantic action drama. For audiences seeking a blend of action and feeling, Dacoit works well and showcases a new dimension of Adivi Sesh.
Rating: 3.25/5
Bottom-line: Emotionally Rich & Technically strong
