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Dictator

15 January 2016Telugu2h 35m
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 10 scored reviews · 1 not rated

Balakrishna shines, but the routine story leaves little for non-fans.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Balakrishna's performance and dialogues
  • Criticised: Predictable, routine screenplay and story

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Critic consensus

What 11 critics are saying

Critical reception for Dictator is largely mixed-to-negative, with most reviewers finding it a formulaic, predictable mass entertainer that fails to rise above its routine screenplay. Balakrishna's performance, dialogue delivery, and screen presence are consistently singled out as the film's primary saving grace across reviews. Common criticisms include a slow first half, weak villains, unfunny comedy, and a story that critics repeatedly described as rehashed and entirely predictable. The consensus is that the film holds narrow appeal limited to Balakrishna's fanbase and B and C centre audiences, while general viewers are likely to find little of value.

How the 10 scores spread

1 not-rated review isn't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 11 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (11)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. 123Telugu

    Film review ·

    Dictator is a film which has all the necessary ingredients of a typical commercial entertainer. Balakrishna's thumping performance, mass dialogues, fights and enough glamour elements will keep the fans and B and C center audience happy. If you ignore the routine and predictable story line, this film will be a decent festival outing this weekend. Go watch it.
  2. Telugu Mirchi

    Film review ·

    One can easily say that Dictator becomes a commercial hit for this Sankranthi season, as Balakrishna's previous films Samarasimha Reddy and Narasimha Naidu. Mainly, the film attains huge success at B and C centres. It becomes a double treat for this Sankranthi for all Nandamuri fans with the film "Dictator".
  3. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    In the list of fails in this film would be the comedy which leaves you with little or no laughs at all. And then, the first half moves on to be very slow, though it is compensated by the pace of the latter part of the film.
  4. AP Today

    Film review ·

    Post interval portions raise some hopes but the movie loses steam after that but the climax is good. Weak villains made it an ordeal as there is no scope for elevating heroism which holds key for any Balakrishna's movie. Everything is predictable but the mass elements make it a watchable fare. Balakrishna fans and masses may enjoy few dialogues and other stuff from their favorite hero. Others may find it a bit dated. On a whole Dictator is a decent mass entertainer for the genre lovers. Verdict: Dictator will rule.
  5. ILuvCinema

    Film review ·

    On overall, this film has all necessary elements like, action, punch dialogues, comedy, romance and dance. But, as the story, it appears to be old, one can easily predict about the scene, which comes next. If you want to see Balayya's electrifying dialogue delivery, then you will surely like this film.
  6. Andhra Headlines

    Film review ·

    Had Srivaas used good screenplay it could have been better. However he did not do it. Except for some Balakrishna dialogues, few comedy scenes, actions scenes film has nothing to talk. Balakrishna fans may enjoy this average flick once. The prestigious film from Balakrishna disappointed people. Dictator failed to show his Power!
  7. Great Andhra

    Film review ·

    Director Sri Wass and writers have failed Balakrishna. All in all, "Dictator" is a mess. Except for Balakrishna and Anjali's presence, the movie doesn't have anything to talk about.  Bottom-line: Old Wine In Old Bottle!
  8. Fully Hyderabad

    Film review ·

    Stay away from Dictator and wait for Balayya's 100th film. Hopefully, that will not be yet another rehash of Baasha.
  9. Ap Herald

    Film review ·

    As you walk out of the theatre having watched "Dictator", you feel sorry for the film and film maker, since this was one that probably had tremendous potential, but which failed to evolve into an exciting film on screen. Everything feels damn boring, predictable, dragged barring the acting and for once, even with zero expectations a film seemed lameo.
  10. BookMyShow

    Film review ·

    This is an out-and-out commercial flick riding solely on Balakrishna's star status. A must do for any Balakrishna fan, a happy and wise skip for anyone else.

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