Saakini Daakini

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Saakini Daakini
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySudheer Varma
Screenplay byAkshay Poolla
Based onMidnight Runners
by Joo-Hwan Kim
Produced byD. Suresh Babu
Sunitha Tati
StarringRegina Cassandra
Nivetha Thomas
CinematographyRichard Prasad
Edited byViplav Nyshadam
Music byMikey McCleary
Production
companies
Release date
  • 16 September 2022 (2022-09-16)
Running time
118 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

Saakini Daakini is a 2022 Indian Telugu-language action comedy film[2] directed by Sudheer Varma and produced by Suresh Productions, Guru Films, and Kross Pictures. An official remake of the 2017 South Korean film Midnight Runners, it stars Regina Cassandra and Nivetha Thomas. The film has music composed by Mikey McCleary.

Principal photography took place from March 2021 to August 2021, entirely in Hyderabad. Saakini Daakini was released theatrically on 16 September 2022.

Plot[edit]

Shalini and Damini, two police trainees after passing Telangana State Public Service Commission from differing backgrounds, become fierce rivals after their induction into the academy and their placement in the same room. Their conflict eventually escalates into a full-blown brawl that nearly leads to their suspension. However, after Shalini helps an injured Damini during a forest run challenge when no one else does, their conduct is commended and they become best friends.

One day, they witness a kidnapping of a girl on their way back from the club at midnight. The local police station's missing persons department, however, is busy with the kidnapping of a son of a businessman at the time and is unable to investigate the case. Knowing that they are in the critical hours after a kidnapping, they embark on their amateur investigation.

When Shalini and Damini catch up with the kidnappers, it appears that the gang is running an unfertilized egg harvesting ring and there are many more girls locked up at their hideout. Shalini and Damini tries to save them but are instead beaten and locked up. After escaping their captors, they return the next day to an empty hideout and a cold trail. As they are not acting police officers, their professor tells them not to pursue the case any further. Unable to wait for the bureaucracy to resolve the case, they once again embark on their own investigation.

They undergo heavy physical training and manage to track the kidnappers down, with the help of CCTV footage, to a fertility clinic. Armored up with weapons, the duo venture in to liberate the girls by themselves, this time much more prepared. They successfully take down all the kidnappers and their boss and save all girls. However, due to some among the disciplinary committee believing that they had done the right thing morally, they are instead held back a year in their studies and start training from beginning.

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

In January 2020, producer Suresh Babu acquired the remake rights of the South Korean film Midnight Runners in a collaboration with the Seoul-based Kross Pictures.[3][4] Director Sudheer Varma was signed to helm the remake in the same month.[5] Actress Regina Cassandra and Nivetha Thomas were signed to play lead roles in August 2020.[6][7] The film has music composed by Mikey McCleary.[8]

The film commenced its principal photography in March 2021 but was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Final schedule resumed in July that year with shoot wrapping up in August 2021.[9] The film's title was confirmed as Saakini Daakini in November 2021.[10]

The film is Varma's first remake as a director. While the original film featured two male protagonists, Varma swapped their genders to females and tweak the script accordingly. The film was shot entirely in Hyderabad.[11]

Release[edit]

Theatrical[edit]

Saakini Daakini was released theatrically on 16 September 2022.[12]

Home media[edit]

Earlier in December 2021, the makers contemplated a direct-to-streaming release on Netflix due to the pandemic.[13][14] The movie was made available to stream on Netflix from September 30, 2022, in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam.[15]

Reception[edit]

Balakrishna Ganeshan of The News Minute rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote, "It feels like there is no progress in the story and that the plot is moving in the same circle. The comedy in scenes involving Prithviraj and others in the first half, which keeps the film light-hearted, completely misses its mark in the second half".[16] The Times of India rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, stating, "Despite its entertaining first half, the film ends up over ambitious in the second half crumbling under its own weight. But this show of girl power by Regina and Nivetha is a welcome change".[17] Sakshi Post rated the film 2 out of 5 stars and commented, "Watch Saakini Daakini at your own risk. If you love Korean movies, check out the original version instead!".[18] Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu stated, "Nivetha Thomas and Regina Cassandra make this action entertainer about two girls who punch above their weight, a fun watch."

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Crisp runtime locked for Saakini Daakini". 123telugu.com. 15 September 2022.
  2. ^ Hungama, Bollywood (25 August 2022). ""Working with Nivetha Thomas was a lot of fun and looks like action comedy is our cuppa of tea" – Regina Cassandra on Telugu comedy Saakini Daakini : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Suresh Productions eyeing yet another remake". 123telugu.com. 14 January 2020.
  4. ^ Vyas (18 February 2020). "Suresh Babu banks on Korean dramas". The Hans India.
  5. ^ Sharma, Bhavana (23 January 2020). "Sudheer Varma likely to remake popular Korean film Midnight Runner in Telugu". IB Times.
  6. ^ "Regina Cassandra and Nivetha Thomas to star in Telugu remake of Korean film". The News Minute. 8 September 2020.
  7. ^ "Saakini Daakini is much more fun than the original". Firstpost. 8 October 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Saakini Daakini teaser – Funny and intense". 123telugu.com. 23 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  9. ^ "Shakini Dhakini, Telugu remake of Midnight Runners, resumes shoot". Cinema Express. 26 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Regina and Nivetha's upcoming Korean thriller remake titled 'Saakini Dhaakini'". Onmanorama. 5 November 2021.
  11. ^ Adivi, Sashidhar (4 September 2021). "Happy with first remake experience: Sudheer Varma". Deccan Chronicle.
  12. ^ "Regina Cassandra and Nivetha Thomas' Midnight Runners remake Saakini Daakini to release on September 16". Pinkvilla. 16 August 2022. Archived from the original on 13 September 2022.
  13. ^ "Sudheer Varma's Telugu Remake of Midnight Runners To Directly Release on OTT". News18. 15 December 2021.
  14. ^ "Nivetha Thomas, Regina Cassandra's 'Shakini Dakini' to directly release on OTT? - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  15. ^ "Saakini Daakini, streaming on Netflix, needed more thrills and focus". OTTPlay. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  16. ^ "Saakini Daakini review: Regina and Nivetha shine in a film let down by poor writing". The News Minute. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  17. ^ "Saakini Daakini Movie Review : Despite a valiant effort from Regina and Nivetha, this action comedy crumbles under its own weight". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  18. ^ "Saakini Daakini Review, Rating". Sakshi Post. Retrieved 17 September 2022.

External links[edit]

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