“Operation Valentine” is Tollywood’s first aerial action drama film, which attempts to present the valor and patriotic spirit of the Indian Air Force on the big screen. The film once again features Mega Prince Varun Tej in a unique role, who is always known for his diverse roles and offbeat subjects. The film is directed by Shakti Pratap Singh Hada and is his first directorial venture. Manishi Chillar is making her Telugu debut with this film and has given a strong performance as an Air Force officer. The story revolves around Indian Air Force Wing Commander Arjun Dev, who once again takes the field to serve the country after the death of his friend. The film presents India’s retaliation after the terrorist attack by Pakistan with thrill and action. The patriotic aerial combat scenes thrill the audience. Although the first half of the film seems a bit weak, the second half keeps the audience glued to their seats.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Movie Name | Operation Valentine |
| Release Date | March 1, 2024 |
| Language | Telugu (also released in Hindi) |
| Genre | Aerial Action Drama |
| Director | Shakti Pratap Singh Hada |
| Producers | Sony Pictures International, Sandeep Mudda |
| Main Cast | Varun Tej, Manushi Chhillar, Navdeep, Ruhani Sharma, Paresh Pahuja, etc. |
| Music Director | Mickey J Meyer |
| Cinematographer | Hari K Vedantam |
| Editor | Navin Nooli |
| Production Companies | Sony Pictures International Productions, Renaissance Pictures |
| Runtime | Approx. 140 minutes |
| 123Telugu Rating | 3/5 |
| Story Theme | Patriotic action inspired by real-life air force operations |
| Highlights | Aerial combat sequences, patriotic theme, Varun Tej’s performance |
| Weak Points | Weak emotional depth, dragged first half, underused characters |
Operation Valentine Story
Operation Valentine is a patriotic action drama based on the valour and sacrifice of the Indian Air Force. The story of the film revolves around Wing Commander Arjun Dev (Varun Tej), a brave pilot of the Indian Air Force. During the testing of a special project ‘Vajra’, he loses his close friend Kabir (Navdeep), after which he takes some time off duty.
After a few years, Arjun returns to the Air Force as a test pilot. Meanwhile, a major terrorist attack takes place in Srinagar, the responsibility of which falls on terrorists linked to Pakistan. The Indian Air Force makes a strategy to respond to this attack and the ‘Vajra’ project is reactivated. Arjun’s role in this mission is decisive.
During this time, Arjun meets Ahana Gill (Manushi Chillar), who is a dedicated IAF officer and his girlfriend. The relationship between the two adds an emotional dimension to the film.
The aerial combat scenes in the second part of the film are thrilling and inspiring. However, the story is a bit slow in the first half and the excess of romantic scenes distracts the audience. Some characters in the film are not fully utilized.
Overall, Operation Valentine is a commendable effort that showcases the valor of the Air Force on the big screen. The film evokes the spirit of patriotism and makes the audience feel proud.
Movie Review
Operation Valentine is an aerial action drama that attempts to showcase the valour and sacrifices of the Indian Air Force on the big screen. In recent years, filmmakers have been moving towards stories based on aerial warfare and air strikes, but it is a difficult subject that requires a big budget and extensive research to present effectively.
The story of the film is based on an air strike that India has never experienced before. It shows how our brave air force officers risk their lives to save the country from a major threat. However, such stories have been seen many times before in the context of the Indian Army, so it lacks originality. The film claims to depict real events, but they have not been presented correctly, making the film look more fictional. There are many scenes that seem unnatural and funny, after watching which even a common viewer can say that the Indian Air Force does not work like this.
Varun Tej plays the lead role and has the ability to play such a serious character, but his limited expressions reduce the seriousness of the film. Manushi Chillar, who is making her debut in Telugu cinema with this film, looks beautiful but she still needs to improve her acting. The on-screen chemistry of the two also seems weak.
The graphics of the film are mediocre. In some scenes it is clearly visible that the actors are acting in front of a green screen. However, some aerial combat scenes are filmed brilliantly and create thrills. But such scenes are limited. In one scene, the missile falling on the terrorist hideout has ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ written on it, which makes the film ridiculous.
The script and direction of the film lack strength. The patriotic scenes do not make the emotional impact that is expected from a film of this kind. However, the dialogues are good and leave an impact at some places.
On the other hand, some viewers enjoyed the experience of the film, especially the realistic glimpse of the war mission in the second half, the mental stress of the pilot, strategies and quick decisions were thrilling to watch. VFX gave a real feel of war in some scenes. Also, the film is a family film and does not have any objectionable content, so it can be watched with children as well.
Conclusion: Operation Valentine is a good attempt, but its weak script, average performances and lack of emotional depth make it an average film. Still, it is a one-time watch for lovers of patriotism and aerial action.
Movie Trailer
Conclusion
Operation Valentine is a patriotic film that tries to showcase the courage and dedication of the Indian Air Force. Though the film has some flaws in its script and graphics, the efforts of Varun Tej and Manushi Chillar are commendable. The aerial combat sequences did add thrills, but lack emotional depth and realism. Still, the film is worth a watch as it deals with a new subject, especially for patriotic film lovers. Overall, it is an average but commendable effort.
