Dacoit: A Love Story is a technically polished romantic action thriller carried almost entirely on the shoulders of its two leads — but a predictable story and flat pacing hold it back from becoming the blockbuster it clearly wants to be.
Story — What Is Dacoit About?
Hari (Adivi Sesh) and Saraswathi (Mrunal Thakur) were once deeply in love, but their relationship was torn apart by caste differences. Hari ends up in prison for a crime he did not commit — and he believes Saraswathi betrayed him by putting him there.
Years later, Saraswathi is living a difficult life with a sick husband and a child, struggling financially. Fate brings them back together when both are forced to pull off a daring heist to solve their problems.
The central questions driving the film: Will Hari take his revenge? Or will old love win?
It’s a classic setup — love, betrayal, survival, and redemption wrapped inside a gritty action drama. The premise is solid, and the first half sets it up well.
Performances — Who Shines?
Adivi Sesh as Hari ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Adivi Sesh is back on the big screen after nearly four years, and he does not disappoint. His performance in emotional scenes is noticeably more mature compared to his earlier films. He carries the anger, the love, and the broken pride of his character convincingly. His trademark intensity is on full display.
Mrunal Thakur as Saraswathi ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mrunal Thakur is the real surprise of the film. Her character goes through multiple shades — from a woman in love, to a survivor, to someone hiding a painful truth. She handles every version of Saraswathi with skill and makes you believe her. She once again proves she is far more than just a glamorous face.
Anurag Kashyap & Supporting Cast
Anurag Kashyap in an acting role is an interesting choice, and he delivers. Kamakshi Bhaskarla also leaves a strong impression. Prakash Raj and Sunil do their parts well in limited screen time.
Direction — Does Shaneil Deo Deliver?
Shaneil Deo makes his directorial debut with Dacoit, and the result is a mixed bag. As a cinematographer by trade, he brings strong visual sensibility to the film — the frames look raw, real, and gritty in the right places. His storytelling, however, struggles to keep the pace up consistently.
The first half and the interval block are genuinely engaging. The second half loses momentum with repetitive heist sequences and a slow build-up to a climax that, while emotionally satisfying, feels a little too predictable.
The story was co-written by Shaneil Deo and Adivi Sesh — and unfortunately, it feels a bit too familiar, relying on well-worn tropes of the Telugu revenge-romance genre without adding enough of a fresh twist.
Technical Departments
- Cinematography by Danush Bhaskar is one of the film’s strongest aspects. The visuals are grounded and suit the gritty tone of the story perfectly.
- Background Score by Gyaani is the standout technical achievement. It feels fresh, fits every scene, and elevates moments that the screenplay alone might not have fully delivered.
- Music by Bheems Ceciroleo is a mixed bag. The song Roobaroo works well on screen. However, the special number Chichu Buddi feels out of place and forgettable.
- Editing by Kodati Pavan Kalyan is slick and stylish in style — though it cannot fully compensate for the flat pacing in the second half.
- Production values are decent but do not quite match the scale suggested by the reported budget.
Should You Watch Dacoit?
Yes — if you enjoy intense romantic action dramas with strong lead performances and are okay with a familiar story told with reasonable craft.
Skip it if you are looking for something truly fresh or path-breaking. Dacoit is a well-made, competent film — but it plays it too safe to be truly memorable.
For fans of Adivi Sesh, it is an absolute watch to see him back on screen in full form. For Mrunal Thakur fans, this might actually be one of her best Telugu performances to date.
OTT Release — When Can You Watch at Home?
Dacoit is currently running in theatres worldwide. The OTT streaming rights have been acquired by Amazon Prime Video, which means it will hit the platform after completing its theatrical run — likely in 4 to 6 weeks.
Final Verdict
Dacoit: A Love Story is a film that promises a lot and delivers just enough. It is held together by two powerhouse performances and strong technical work, but let down by a story that feels too familiar and a second half that loses steam. A worthy one-time watch — especially on the big screen.
SeriesMines Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Is Dacoit a good movie? Yes, Dacoit is a decent one-time watch. It has strong performances by Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur, but the story is somewhat predictable.
Q2. Where can I watch Dacoit online? Dacoit is currently in theatres. It will stream on Amazon Prime Video after its theatrical run ends.
Q3. Is Dacoit available on Netflix or Hotstar? No. The OTT rights belong to Amazon Prime Video, not Netflix or Disney+ Hotstar.
Q4. What is the story of Dacoit movie? Dacoit tells the story of Hari, a man who goes to prison believing his girlfriend Saraswathi betrayed him. Years later, they reunite for a heist, and the story explores revenge, love, and redemption.
Q5. Is Dacoit hit or flop? Box office verdict is still emerging as the film released on April 10, 2026. Check our Box Office section for the latest daily collection updates.








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