Yadha Yadha Hi review: A not-so-impressive remake of Telugu film ‘Evaru’

Seems like South Indian filmmakers are smitten by “mystery thrillers” lately, turning them into a season of thrillers of all kinds, from murder to horror and some revolving around whodunit sagas. The latest to join the list is Yadha Yadha Hi in Kannada.

It is a remake of the Telugu hit film Evaru(2019), directed by Venkat Ramji. Evaru was loosely based on the Spanish crime thriller Contratiempo (The Invisible Guest), released in 2016.

The Spanish film was also adapted in Hindi as Badla (2019), and now Yadha Yadha Hi.

So, is the Kannada version of the original thriller and films thereafter that were inspired by it do justice to the edge-of-the-seat thriller? Let’s delve straight into it.

Synopsis

For those who haven’t watched the Spanish or the other two films— Evaru and Badla— that are based on it, Yadha Yadha Hi is quite a simple storyline but has a lot of complications attached to it.

It opens with the scenes of a successful businesswoman (Priyanka), played by Hariprriya Simha, who is caught red-handed for the murder of Assistant Commissioner of Police Aditya (Vasistha Simha). 

An open and shut case, it is. But wait, the mystery just starts to unfold, and it is better to experience watching than reading about it.

The mystery thriller made in Kananda is all about finding answers to questions like what circumstances led to Priyanka killing Aditya. Then the role of a corrupt police officer (Ashok Teja) investigating the murder case of Aditya.

Also Read: ‘Pareshan’ is a madcap village story with the right dose of humour

Not so impressive

It is a well-known fact that copying kills creativity, and is more so a herculean task to recreate the original work of art. This fits very well with the case of Yadha Yadha Hi.

Telugu director Ashok Teja, who makes his Sandalwood debut, puts an honest effort to retain the original soul of the mystery thriller. However, it eventually turns out to be a diluted version that lacks the much-needed punch to elevate the experience for an edge-of-the-seat experience.

The climax sequence saves the day though.

ಯದಾಯದಾಹಿ 🤩#Yadhayadhahi in your nearest theatres 🥰 #Yadhayadhahi#VasishtaSimha#HariprriyaSimha pic.twitter.com/fpsmOoVVOU

— Hariprriya Simha (@HariPrriya6) June 2, 2023

Reverse screenplay

Like most on-screen mysteries that usually run back and forth (reverse screenplay), Yadha Yadha Hi is no exception to it. But how well it is used to good effect matters the most.

Rewinding a scene umpteen times starts giving a distorted experience. It all depends on the brilliance of the screenplay. 

The director has slightly tweaked the screenplay to adapt to the local audience which is fine.

But when a majority of the murder mystery is situated in the hill station of Munnar in Kerala, almost every character speaking in fluent Kannada is something hard to digest.

It could have better shifted the premise of the mystery to a hill station in Karnataka. It would make it look more real, and connect with the Kannada-speaking audience!

Also Read: It’s a pack-up for Rajinikanth’s ‘Jailer’

A real couple and reel saga

As far as performances are concerned, the newlywed star couple — Hariprriya Simha and Vasishta Simha — give their best alongside Diganth Manchale.

The couple here has an affair of a different kind which is the crux of the film. The different emotions they carry at various stages of the tale are the highlight, especially Vasishta, who has various levels of emotions to counter as a police officer, a possessive lover and a kind human being.

Final take

Watch Yadha Yadha Hi only if you missed the Spanish thriller or Evaru or Badla, as it may leave one disappointed with the level of the thriller. The previous ones offered an exciting mystery saga with a surprising twist in the end though.

(Views expressed are personal.)