Release Date : March 01, 2024
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring: Varun Tej, Manushi Chhillar, Navdeep, Ruhani Sharma, Paresh Pahuja, Shataf Figar, Sampath, Ali Reza and others.
Director: Shakti Pratap Singh Hada
Producers: Sony Pictures International and Sandeep Mudda
Music Director: Mickey J Meyer
Cinematographer: Hari K Vedantam
Editor: Navin Nooli
Related Links : Trailer

Mega Prince Varun Tej, known for choosing diverse characters and storylines, returns with Tollywood’s first-ever aerial action spectacle, Operation Valentine. With a decent buzz, the film has hit theaters today. Read our review to know how it is.
Story:
Arjun Dev (Varun Tej) is a Wing Commander in the Indian Air Force who loses his friend Kabir (Navdeep) during the test of Project Vajra. After a few years of the project being shelved, he rejoins as a test pilot. Meanwhile, a terror attack occurs in Srinagar, and upon learning it’s the work of Pakistan, the IAF plans for a retaliation. How does India fight back? How does Project Vajra help India during the attack? How is Aahna Gill (Manushi Chhillar) connected to the story? Does Arjun emerge victorious, or does he become a martyr? The movie provides these answers.
Plus Points:
Varun Tej deserves accolades for his courageous choice in films, bringing unique stories to Telugu audiences. As IAF Wing Commander Arjun Dev, codenamed Rudra, Varun Tej delivers a promising performance, fitting the role flawlessly.
Joining him is Manushi Chhillar, in her impressive Telugu debut as an IAF officer and love interest of Arjun Dev. Manushi Chhillar commendably portrays her character, delivering her best performance within the given space.
The aerial combat scenes in the second half, as noted by the team, are genuinely engaging, effectively capturing the patriotic fervour.
The rest of the cast also gives their best, contributing to the film’s decent portrayal of characters.
Minus Points:
Capturing the essence of true incidents on screen is challenging, as seen in Operation Valentine. While the film has its moments, some scenes lack engagement, falling short of expectations.
The portrayal of the terror attack and its aftermath lacks the desired impact, missing an opportunity for a more heart-wrenching approach that could have heightened emotional resonance.
The first half, with ample opportunity to highlight the prowess of the IAF, is marred by unnecessary sequences, such as the romantic scenes between the main leads.
Characters portrayed by Ruhani Sharma, Paresh Pahuja, Shataf Figar, and Ali Reza could have been better utilised to evoke the necessary emotions for this patriotic narrative.
Technical Aspects:
While director Shakti Pratap Singh Hada succeeds to a certain extent, a more engaging narrative and tighter screenplay could have elevated Operation Valentine into a gripping aerial action thriller.
Sai Madhav Burra’s dialogue could have resonated better with audiences, particularly in crafting more engaging patriotic lines. Hari K Vedantam’s cinematography is commendable.
Although Mickey J Meyer’s work is satisfactory, there are missed opportunities in the film where his terrific background music could have enriched the overall experience.
Editor Navin Nooli could have trimmed some scenes in the first half to enhance better pacing. Proper care of VFX could have been appreciated, especially in scenes demanding visual effects to enhance realism and immersion.
Verdict:
On the whole, Operation Valentine is a decent aerial action drama, bolstered by solid performances from Varun Tej and Manushi Chhillar, along with engaging air strike sequences. However, the dull first half, unnecessary scenes, and lack of necessary emotional depth in places are the notable drawbacks. Viewers familiar with similar aerial action dramas might not resonate with Operation Valentine as strongly, but for others, the film offers satisfying entertainment this weekend.
123telugu.com Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
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