Movie Overview
Release Date: April 10, 2025
Language: Telugu
Genre: Spy Action Comedy
Directed by: Bommarillu Bhaskar
Starring: Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Vaishnavi Chaitanya, Prakash Raj
Box Office: ₹9 crore (Worldwide)
Rating: 2.5/5
Plot Summary
Pablo Neruda, nicknamed Jack (Siddhu Jonnalagadda), is a quirky jack-of-all-trades whose carefree attitude frustrates his father. But beneath his nonchalant exterior lies a deep wound — the tragic death of his mother in a terrorist attack — which drives his hidden ambition to become a RAW agent.
When Jack mistakenly believes he has secured a job in the elite intelligence agency, he stumbles upon clues pointing toward a terrorist plot. Determined to take action, he embarks on a self-assigned mission to thwart the attack. Unbeknownst to him, RAW agents, including a senior operative played by Prakash Raj, are already on the case.
What follows is a chaotic blend of mistaken identity, accidental heroism, and a mission that takes Jack to Nepal in pursuit of the terrorists. While the story attempts to weave comedy, drama, and spy thrills, the inconsistent tone and jarring shifts between humor and serious moments make it a bumpy ride.
Direction & Screenplay
Bommarillu Bhaskar, best known for emotional family dramas, seems out of his element in this genre. The screenplay lacks the polish required for a compelling spy thriller. Though the first half is peppered with amusing sequences — including a lively train scene — the film loses steam in the second half.
The Nepal mission, meant to be the film’s high-stakes centerpiece, ends up feeling tedious and poorly paced. The direction falters in balancing slapstick humor with emotionally weighty moments. There are tonal inconsistencies, with some scenes trying too hard to be funny while others dive abruptly into drama, creating a jarring experience for the viewer.
Some dialogues — like the extended and awkward scene on sexual topics — feel out of place and dated. The script also fails to effectively use the backdrop of terrorism and espionage, reducing the stakes and intensity that such a genre demands.
Performances
Siddhu Jonnalagadda as Jack
Siddhu is the film's biggest asset. His effortless charm, comic timing, and energetic screen presence help carry the film through its rough patches. He delivers a vibrant performance, especially in action sequences and comic exchanges. However, his character lacks emotional layers, and the serious moments don’t land as effectively as they should.
Vaishnavi Chaitanya
As the female lead, Vaishnavi has decent screen time but is saddled with a poorly written role. Her character, positioned as a detective, adds little value to the narrative. The romantic subplot between her and Siddhu feels forced and lacks chemistry, further weakening the film's emotional connect.
Prakash Raj and Supporting Cast
Prakash Raj is criminally underutilized. Despite his commanding screen presence, the script gives him little to do. Naresh, Brahmaji, Subbaraju, Rahul Dev, and Ravi Prakash bring a few moments of levity, but they too are let down by shallow character arcs and recycled gags.
Music & Technical Aspects
Music and Background Score
The music by Achu Rajamani (with additional work from Suresh Bobbili and Sam CS) is one of the film's biggest drawbacks. The songs are largely forgettable and do little to enhance the storytelling. The background score by V.R. Vaidhhy, while serviceable in some action scenes, mostly fails to elevate the emotional weight or tension of the spy narrative.
Audience feedback on platforms like IMDb and BookMyShow highlights the soundtrack as a weak link, with the "Pablo Neruda" song being the only semi-memorable entry.
Cinematography & Editing
Vijay K. Chakravarthy’s cinematography gives the film a slick look, especially in the Nepal sequences, but it isn’t enough to compensate for the narrative shortcomings. The editing by Navin Nooli feels loose in the second half, and the 136-minute runtime begins to drag noticeably. Tighter edits and smarter pacing could’ve vastly improved the experience.
Audience Reactions
While some viewers appreciated the film’s attempt at blending genres and praised Siddhu’s performance, most found Jack to be a confusing and underwhelming experience. IMDb currently holds it at a 5.5/10 from over 10,000 users, reflecting the divide.
Positive comments include:
“Siddu’s performance was solid, proving his star power.”
“Decent entertainer, good action, and subtle humor in parts.”
Negative feedback is more prominent:
“Old, predictable story. Siddhu and Prakash Raj were wasted.”
“Awkward romance, random plot, and unbearable second half.”
“Worst heroine I’ve seen in a while. No chemistry, no purpose.”
Box Office Performance
With a budget that warranted at least a decent opening, Jack grossed only ₹9 crore globally, making it a commercial disappointment. Despite Siddhu’s popularity post-Tillu Square, the film couldn’t capitalize on his momentum.
Poor word-of-mouth and middling critical reception further dented its theatrical run, pushing it into one-time-watch territory soon after release.
Final Verdict
Jack (2025) had the right ingredients — an energetic lead actor, a potentially fun spy-comedy concept, and stylish visuals — but the poor execution lets it down. A messy screenplay, flat romance, forgettable music, and tonal imbalance result in a film that’s neither funny nor thrilling enough to be memorable.
Watch it only if you're a die-hard Siddhu Jonnalagadda fan. Otherwise, this spy caper is best skipped.
