Kapatadhaari is a Telugu remake of the Kannada hit Kavaludaari and revolves around a traffic sub-inspector named Gautham (Sumanth), whose dream is to work in the crime branch. His mundane routine takes a sudden turn when skeletal remains of three individuals are unearthed during a metro construction project. While his colleagues dismiss the discovery, Gautham takes it upon himself to investigate.

With the help of retired police officer Ranjith Kumar (Nasser) and journalist GK (Jayaprakash), Gautham uncovers a conspiracy dating back 40 years. The story follows their pursuit to reveal the truth behind these mysterious deaths and confront the hidden villains. The investigation also touches on an archaeological connection and a powerful politician, adding layers to the narrative.

Highlights
Engaging investigative sequences in the second half
Strong performances by Sumanth, Nasser, and Jayaprakash
Background score effectively builds suspense
Faithful adaptation of the Kannada original

Drawbacks
Slow and uneven first half
Convoluted narration with unnecessary subplots
Limited screen space for key characters like Nandita Swetha
Some convenient plot points reduce realism
Predictable sequences post-interval

Verdict
Kapatadhaari attempts to be a gripping whodunit but falls short due to uneven pacing and a bloated first half. The film shines when focusing on the core investigation, with strong performances from Sumanth, Nasser, and Jayaprakash, supported by Simon K King’s atmospheric background score.
While it is worth a watch for crime thriller enthusiasts, casual viewers might find the slow start and predictable sequences taxing. Overall, it’s an okay watch with a decent mystery at its core.