Watching Billa, starring Prabhas, left me with a strange mix of admiration and frustration. On the surface, it's a slick production; glossy visuals, stylish costumes, and stunning scenic locations that do catch the eye. The movie clearly boasts a solid budget, and there's no denying its entertainment value if you're just looking for a loud, stylish action film to pass the time. But beyond this polished exterior, the movie falters almost everywhere else.
The biggest issue lies in the concept and writing, which feel both silly and derivative. This is yet another rehash of a tried-and-tested gangster-action formula that we've seen countless times before, and Billa does little to bring anything fresh to the table. The sequences often border on childlike logic, defying physics and common sense in ways that make it impossible to take the film seriously. What should feel thrilling or intense ends up unintentionally comical.
Predictability is another thorn. The storyline unfolds exactly as you'd expect, with twists that you can spot a mile away. Once you've seen the first half-hour, you already know where it's headed. On top of that, the film drags unnecessarily, weighed down by repetitive songs that do little to push the narrative forward. After a point, the lengthy musical interludes only add to the tedium, making the movie feel much longer than it needs to be.
That said, Prabhas does bring a certain presence to the lead role. He looks the part, and there are moments where his screen charisma shines through, but even his efforts are undermined by the weak script and over-the-top direction. The action scenes, while stylishly shot, feel hollow because there's no emotional weight or sense of consequence behind them.
Ultimately, Billa is a film that prioritizes style over substance. While its production values and scenic visuals may impress at first glance, the lackluster writing, predictable plot, and over-reliance on recycled ideas leave it feeling flat and unoriginal. It's watchable in parts, but for a film that could have been a gripping, action-packed ride, it falls disappointingly short.
