Isakapatnam review: Aishwarya Rajesh's crime drama is familiar, flawed but engaging
Isakapatnam review: Set against the backdrop of a coastal town, Isakapatnam is a grounded crime drama that thrives on power struggles, shifting loyalties and strong performances. It may not reinvent the genre, but it tells a familiar story with enough conviction to keep you hooked till the end.
Power changes people. In Prime Video's Isakapatnam, it changes an entire town. Set in the fictional coastal town of Isakapatnam during the 1980s and '90s, the seven-episode Telugu series revolves around Naidu (Samuthirakani), a man who builds his influence from local fishing disputes into a criminal and political empire. His words carry weight, his network runs deep, and his control over the town seems almost absolute. But as the story unfolds, old loyalties begin to crack, personal vendettas surface, and the people around him slowly start challenging the world he has built.
Directed by Garry BH (who worked as an editor in films like Kshanam and Spy) and produced by Tamada Media Productions, Isakapatnam doesn't try to reinvent the crime drama. Instead, it sails through familiar waters of power, loyalty and revenge, while keeping its setting and characters rooted in the world it creates.
The story unfolds through shifting alliances, betrayals and long-standing conflicts. Naidu rules Isakapatnam with an iron grip. From illegal businesses to local politics, little moves in the port town without his approval. Feared by many and challenged by few, he has built an empire where loyalty is rewarded and defiance comes at a cost. But the balance begins to shift when those closest to him, along with people who have long-lived under his shadow, start pursuing their own agendas.
Among them is his daughter Bharathi (Aishwarya Rajesh), who believes in helping people rather than ruling them through fear, often putting her at odds with her father. Peddanna (Naresh Agastya), an auto driver with political ambitions, dreams of bringing change to the town, while Naidu's trusted aide Kottayya (Banerjee) is forced to choose between loyalty and doing what he believes is right. As their paths collide, personal relationships become just as important as the fight for power, with every decision threatening to tip the balance in Isakapatnam.
Elsewhere, there are Soori (Sudhakar Komakula) and Sunil's Circle Inspector, both of whom have their own stakes in the story. As alliances shift and personal ambitions take over, everyone finds themselves pulled into the same battle for power, making the conflict feel as personal as it is political.
What disappoints here are the twists that follow a familiar path. The narrative, however, tries to remain engaging because it focusses more on the people involved than on shock value.
Samuthirakani is certainly the kingpin of the crime saga, where he doesn't have to raise his voice or rely on larger-than-life moments to establish Naidu's hold over the town. Here his confidence does the job. But it is Aishwarya Rajesh, who steers the show, giving Bharathi both conviction and vulnerability, and making her more than just a moral counterweight to her father Naidu. Meanwhile, Naresh Agastya is convincing as the well-meaning Peddanna. Sunil, however, feels underused. His Circle Inspector has all the ingredients to become a compelling player, but the writing never quite lets him step off the sidelines.
The show's atmosphere is the glue. The coastal setting isn't just a backdrop; it becomes part of the storytelling. The docks, narrow streets and the constant presence of the sea give Isakapatnam its own identity. The period setting also feels convincing without drawing too much attention to itself, allowing the story to stay front and centre.
That said, the series isn't without its shortcomings. There are moments when the middle episodes slow down, particularly while fleshing out character backstories. The series may also remind viewers of other Telugu and South Indian crime dramas, and while it doesn't depend on larger-than-life action or constant twists to stay interesting, it doesn't break new ground either.
Still, it manages to hold its own with confident storytelling and performances that keep the conflicts grounded. No, Isakapatnam doesn't rewrite the crime-drama rulebook. But with a convincing world, layered power struggles and performances that keep the stakes real, it can still make for a one-time, engaging watch.
Power changes people. In Prime Video's Isakapatnam, it changes an entire town. Set in the fictional coastal town of Isakapatnam during the 1980s and '90s, the seven-episode Telugu series revolves around Naidu (Samuthirakani), a man who builds his influence from local fishing disputes into a criminal and political empire. His words carry weight, his network runs deep, and his control over the town seems almost absolute. But as the story unfolds, old loyalties begin to crack, personal vendettas surface, and the people around him slowly start challenging the world he has built.
Directed by Garry BH (who worked as an editor in films like Kshanam and Spy) and produced by Tamada Media Productions, Isakapatnam doesn't try to reinvent the crime drama. Instead, it sails through familiar waters of power, loyalty and revenge, while keeping its setting and characters rooted in the world it creates.
The story unfolds through shifting alliances, betrayals and long-standing conflicts. Naidu rules Isakapatnam with an iron grip. From illegal businesses to local politics, little moves in the port town without his approval. Feared by many and challenged by few, he has built an empire where loyalty is rewarded and defiance comes at a cost. But the balance begins to shift when those closest to him, along with people who have long-lived under his shadow, start pursuing their own agendas.
Among them is his daughter Bharathi (Aishwarya Rajesh), who believes in helping people rather than ruling them through fear, often putting her at odds with her father. Peddanna (Naresh Agastya), an auto driver with political ambitions, dreams of bringing change to the town, while Naidu's trusted aide Kottayya (Banerjee) is forced to choose between loyalty and doing what he believes is right. As their paths collide, personal relationships become just as important as the fight for power, with every decision threatening to tip the balance in Isakapatnam.
Elsewhere, there are Soori (Sudhakar Komakula) and Sunil's Circle Inspector, both of whom have their own stakes in the story. As alliances shift and personal ambitions take over, everyone finds themselves pulled into the same battle for power, making the conflict feel as personal as it is political.
What disappoints here are the twists that follow a familiar path. The narrative, however, tries to remain engaging because it focusses more on the people involved than on shock value.
Samuthirakani is certainly the kingpin of the crime saga, where he doesn't have to raise his voice or rely on larger-than-life moments to establish Naidu's hold over the town. Here his confidence does the job. But it is Aishwarya Rajesh, who steers the show, giving Bharathi both conviction and vulnerability, and making her more than just a moral counterweight to her father Naidu. Meanwhile, Naresh Agastya is convincing as the well-meaning Peddanna. Sunil, however, feels underused. His Circle Inspector has all the ingredients to become a compelling player, but the writing never quite lets him step off the sidelines.
The show's atmosphere is the glue. The coastal setting isn't just a backdrop; it becomes part of the storytelling. The docks, narrow streets and the constant presence of the sea give Isakapatnam its own identity. The period setting also feels convincing without drawing too much attention to itself, allowing the story to stay front and centre.
That said, the series isn't without its shortcomings. There are moments when the middle episodes slow down, particularly while fleshing out character backstories. The series may also remind viewers of other Telugu and South Indian crime dramas, and while it doesn't depend on larger-than-life action or constant twists to stay interesting, it doesn't break new ground either.
Still, it manages to hold its own with confident storytelling and performances that keep the conflicts grounded. No, Isakapatnam doesn't rewrite the crime-drama rulebook. But with a convincing world, layered power struggles and performances that keep the stakes real, it can still make for a one-time, engaging watch.
