Sriwass is known for his entertaining flicks. From his debut in 2007, he has been consistently delivering decently performing movies every few years. He teams up with NBK for the very first time. Balakrishna himself returns post the underrated but quite engaging Lion. Anjali returns post Shankarabaranam.

A man is caught in a web of the underworld.

There is nothing even remotely new here. The plot, the screenplay, the characters, NBK himself – it’s all been watched before – many times over too. But Sriwass keeps it simple. While the first hour is the pre-requisite romance and comedy, the second hour shows us the regular show-reel for NBK. And 155 minutes are up just like that.

Sriwass copies most of his first hour from Denzel Washington’s last flick – including one overly bloody action sequence. Nevertheless, he is able to keep the second hour quick – though it lacks any major plot-change from any NBK movie from the past half a decade. S. Thaman’s score is foot-tapping. Sam K. Naidu’s cinematography is snappy and quick – the slow-mo’s however, look dazzling. Ravi Varma’s action sequences are fun to watch.

NBK is just as fast and furious in his 99^th flick – as he probably was in his very first. At 55, he dances, fights, kicks and jumps around – almost like a pro in everything. Anjali is awesome! Great to watch her on screen again and she holds her own throughout. Rati Agnihotri is unquestionable. Nawab Shah looks dapper in his killer clothes and blazers – complete with matching phone cases, and performs just right. The supporting cast is decent.

Dictator is a regular diet for all NBK fans. It has him mouthing innumerable punchlines, messages and metaphors – which a fierceness no other actor at the moment at his age, can pull off. Yes, it is the very same old wine in the very same old bottle, but it is a regular shot of entertainment done well enough.