Badrinath (2011) Telugu Movie Review

Behind the Movie Badrinath: The magnificent combination of Allu Arjun, VV Vinayak, Tamanna, Keeravani and Geetha Arts is enough to keep our expectations sky high on this film released on par with standards and budget of ‘Magadheera.’ Let us see, how safe and how great is this?

In the Movie Badrinath: To save Hindu temples all over India from brutal communal attacks (like what happened in Akshar Dham), the Hindu religious heads decide to get ready with a warrior group. Each of these warriors (Kshetra Palaka) will be given the duty to save one temple in India. These warriors are trained by age old Sadhu and Martial Arts expert Bheeshma Narayan (Prakashraj), head of the seat in Taksha Shila. One such soldier and topper in the batch is Badri (Allu Arjun), who gets the responsibility to protect sacred temple of Badrinath.

One fine day Alaka Nanda (Tamanna), an atheist arrives in Badrinath with grand father to perform last rites for her dead father and mother. Although Badri and Alaka Nanda initially have a face off, very soon she falls in love with him and starts to believe in god. On the other side Bheeshma Narayan wants Badri to be his successor to crown the top seat of Taksha Shila and basic requirement for that is Badri must stay as a Bachelor throughout his life. On other end, there is a small flashback to Alaka Nanda who is chased by villain uncle (Kelly Dorjee) and dracula aunt (Ashwini Kalsekar) to get her marriage done with their son.

How Badri saves Alaka Nanda from goons and reacts to her love? Did Bheeshma Narayan allow his disciple Badri to marry Alaka Nanda? form rest of the story.

Values of the Movie Badrinath: Story provided by Chinni Krishna is pretty simple with no twists and turns. Only new point is the backdrop of Badrinath. Screen Play by Chinni and VV Vinayak is disappointing work as there are numerous oversized loop holes including with blunders in characterization of lead casting. Direction wise VV Vinayak tried his best to elevate the movie but weak content (or no content) did not help him. Music by Keeravani is good work for two songs while background is a copy work of his earlier movies although gripping. Cinematography by Ravi Varman well captured the aesthetic settings erected by Ananda Sai. Editing by Goutham Raju was okay. Action Master Peter Heins was superb with high dose of bloodshed in entire movie. Production values of Geetha Arts are top notch and every frame is delightful to watch.      

Performance wise more than Allu Arjun’s acting talent we have seen more of his action (fights) talent. From first scene till last scene, Bunny is shown just as a Martial Arts expert. There are hardly two to three scenes where he can showcase the real emotions. Tamanna looked gorgeous with a characterization struggling between God and Love. She is one of the major assets for film. Prakash Raj in a white bearded look was at his regular best. Kellu Dorjee’s villainy is normal while aghast eyes of Ashwini Kalsekar are well captured. Comedy wise, we have Batting Baba (Brahmanandam), Chutki (MS Narayana), Krishna Bhagawan and the pilgrim from Peta (Dharmavarapu) repeated the comedy portion of ‘Indra.’ Raghu Babu as side kick to villain is regularly watched in Vinayak’s films. Among others Sayaji Shinde, Sudha, Kovai Sarala, Tanikella etc are brief.

Out of the Movie Badrinath: Except the well choreographed action sequences and production values in the form of marvelous settings, everything else is disappointment. Emotional depth and strength of characters are so weak that we never get involved into the movie at any given time. No doubt, movie has taken off on a grand note but intensity wanes off quickly once the love affair takes the drivers seat.

Conflict weaved by Chinni Krishna between Love, Guru Bhakthi and Daiva Bhakti is great but the key he used to unlock is very weak and unconvincing. This is the major drawback for movie. One more pathetic face of the film is that, hero was never in love with heroine till last five minutes of the film. Badri and Bheeshma Narayan’s powerful characters are made spineless with weak climax. An unpardonable mistake from Vinayak and Chinni.

Story by Chinni was similar in shades with ‘Shakti’ of Junior NTR that is to save the temples here and Shakti Peethas there. Except Allu Arjun’s macho body and thread enabled fights in air causing heavy bloodshed, Vinayak did not have anything more to do. Blame it on poor story selection of Allu Aravind this time as every story cannot be a ‘Magadheera’ even if you pour any amount of budget.

First half went considerably well compared to second half. Perfect plotting for Kshetra Palakas, Tamanna’s beauty, wonderfully choreographed first song (Omkareshwari), entry of villains along with an interesting contentious trap will give the interval bang. Director’s helplessness is clearly visible in second half. Unnecessary violence, misplacement of songs further affected the second half. Thanks to the short climax that made audience set free from theatres.

Commercially ‘Badrinath’ may not be a fruitful product for Geetha Arts. There is no hope for film to survive more than four to five weeks. Allu Arjun’s failure run to be continued as Tamanna and Vinayak could not save him from the clutches of Chinni Krishna. Overall, this is just a below average to disaster film in offering.

www.Zoomingzone.Blogspot.com Verdict of the Movie Badrinath: Allu Arjun’s ‘Shakti.’

Veera 2011 Telugu Movie Review

Behind the Movie Veera: Mass Maharaj Raviteja is coming with in a minimum gap after the hit ‘Mirapakay.’ With beautiful heroines Kajal Agarwal and Tapsee in the lead, this movie is made on highest ever budget in Raviteja’s career. Let us see how far director Ramesh Varma excelled in showing his ‘Veera’?

In the Movie Veera: Movie starts with ACP Shyam Sundar (Shyam) taking on dangerous local goon Dhanraj (Rahul Dev) and his brothers. As a revenge Dhanraj kills Shyam’s cute little son and also targets his daughter. Quickly Police department provides special security to Shyam and his family in the name of officer Deva (Raviteja) who gets very close to all the family members except Shyam’s wife Satya (Sridevi). Deva lives along with Tiger (Brahmanandam) in the out house of ACP.

Aiky (Tapsee) is neighbor to Satya and obviously falls in love for Deva’s heroism. As Deva continuously protects the family of Shyam from clutches of Dhanraj, here comes one more villain Peda Venkata Raidu (Pradeep Rawat) searching for Satya. As story moves on, one fine day Dhanraj gets a chance to kill Shyam but Peda Venkata Naidu spoils the plot by shooting Deva.

Now, Satya reveals a flash back that Deva is none other than her brother whose name if Veera Venkata Satya Narayana aka Veera (Raviteja), son of Surya Pratap Naidu (Nazar), a god like man in the village of Sadashiva Puram. Once again it’s the feud between good and bad in village. Bad here is Peda Venkata Naidu and his supporter Katam Naidu (Supreet) who wants to sell the village lands but Veera lives for village and villagers. In this fight, Peda Venkata Naidu kills the entire family of Veera including his wife Kabaddi Chitti (Kajal Agarwal) and escapes from the village. Now, it is left for Veera to save his sister Satya and brother-in-law Shyam. How far Veera succeeded in this? How did he take revenge on Peda Venkata Naidu? forms the climax.

Values of the Movie Veera: Story of the film is laborious with plenty of characters and piles of drama but nothing new to point out. Story by Ramesh Varma is a dead line beaten millions of times on Telugu screen. Definitely screenplay by Ramesh Varma failed in every aspect. Even as a director he utterly disappointed by remaining unsuccessful in building the emotions and intensity in narration. Cinematography by Chota K Naidu gave a rich look to each frame making Raviteja look handsome in first half. Editing by Goutham Raju was a pack of blunders. Result is that we have got a lengthy film of three hours. Dialogues by Abburi Ravi failed to generate any punch. Hand of Paruchuri Brothers in scripting hasn’t done any great help. Thaman’s music is unappealing and songs are placed very oddly. Production values of Sanvi are top notch but surely a wrong investment.      

Performance wise Raviteja was better in first half as Deva. There were regular comic scenes filled with trademark Raviteja mannerisms. Once flashback starts, audience can clearly judge that Raviteja was a mismatch to the character of Veera. He can never be an Indra like Chiranjeevi or Narasimha Naidu like Balakrishna. He is just Raviteja.  Character of Kajal Agarwal is sketched well as Kabaddi Chitti, it is Tapsee just taken for the sake of songs. Villainy by Pradeep Rawat was routine with ear breaking noise. Sridevi and Shyam carried their characters up to perfection. Comedy wise Brahmi and Ali generated good laughs in first and second half respectively. Among others Divya Vani isn’t great while Roja, Vijay Kumar, Telangana Shakuntala, Sudha, Nazar, Supreet, Naga Babu are okay.

Out of the Movie Veera: Tastes of audience (including masses) have grown up. Mixing the stories of Bhasha, Indra, Samara Simha Reddy and Narasimha Naidu and cooking a pale one like ‘Veera’ with too many imperfections can never be acceptable. When entire second half is pulled with lengthy scenes that never looked appealing, how can Raviteja alone save the film?  More than all these, interval bang was enough for audience to guess as what could be the second half. There were no anxious moments through out. With nothing like an extra ordinary plot and no effective description, ‘Veera’ will be a boring tale for audience who expect something new. For average moviegoer, ‘Veera’ might be appealing only in glitches.

First half was entertaining with few twists leading to a bang interval. Second half is totally flashback with heavy blood shed and action filled climax. Director’s inability to pull the movie towards a logical ending was clearly visible. No way that 'Veera' could have a safe run at BO. Overall, this is quite a weak show from Ramesh Varma and Raviteja.

www.Zoomingzone.Blogspot.com Verdict of the Movie Veera: An outdated ‘Veera’ Kichidi formula.

Ragini MMS 2011 Telugu Movie Review

Banner: I Rock Production
Casting: Kainaz Motivala, Raj Kumar Yadav
Music: Faizan Hussain
Producer: Ekta Kapoor,Shobha Kapoor
Direction: Pavan Kirpalani
Ragini MMS is one of the most awaited movie in the year considering the hype the movie produced before its release which created positive vibes among the public this movie is a sex-induced paranormal thriller  which got inspired from paranormal activity a Hollywood movie was made in Hindi with the nativity, Here is the Ragini MMS review for you.
Story:
The story is all about a couple played by  Kainaz Motivala in the role of (Ragini), and Raj Kumar Yadav as Uday, they plan there weekend at a friend farm house and the difficulties they face there the farm house has a setup which has resemblances with the big boss program house and has cameras almost every where in the house, which will be an arrangement by Uday to become successful as a hero and when things start getting naughty between them they face a un expected threat from an evil in the house and the rest is how they undergo the difficulty's which they face due to the evil.

Anlaysis:
Ragini MMS is a very Good Paranormal thriller made up with lot of excellent scenes which shows the excellence of the director the scenes in which worms are showed on the table and in which the polythene bag unfolds itself and showing an eye ball of woman in the second half are really terrifying. The first half goes dry with a couple of romantic scenes and nothing much to say but the movie picks up in the second half and makes the audience thrilled.

The movie relies more on the untouched story telling nothing is clear in the movie there is no point in it except that there is a devil in the house which kills every one who comes there.so this is a movie for lovers of horror movies because it has nothing but horror in it which was not perfectly executed.

Ekta Kapoor needs special appreciation for making a movie with most of the new comers and in a very minimum budget and for her exceptional way of promoting it.

Performances:
Uday played by Raj Kumar yadav was good in his role and so was ragini played by Kainaz Motivala was good in her role and the two friends roles did there part in the movie. Uday action was not up to the mark in the horror scenes and ragini was a bit better when compared to him in the horror scenes.

Technicalities:
Back ground score by  Faizan Hussain, Agnel Boman is simply superb in the movie, Cinematography by Tribhuvan Babu is very well done, director Pawan Kripalani who has chosen real life subject and blended it with horror and sex has done a good job. Pawan knows his job well and knows what works best with audiences. His direction has some freshness but lacks clarity the story ends up no where and leaves confusion among the audience.

Plus Points:
- Back Ground Score by  Faizan Hussain, Agnel Boman
- Some Excellent scenes  acted well by the actors
- The remixed version of Hanuman Chalisa gives you some moral boost at the start of the movie where titles appear on the screen

Minus Points:
- All Except the above
Final Word: Watch the movie if you are a die hard fan of Horror and thriller movies

Seema Tapakai 2011 Telugu Movie Review

Behind the Movie Seema Tapakai: Comedy star ‘Allari’ Naresh joined specialist comedy director Nageshwar Reddy for this flick which has music from Vandemataram Srinivas. While debutant Poorna is looking hot, let us see how good is this blast of ‘Seema Tapakai’?

In the Movie Seema Tapakai: Sri Krishna (Allari Naresh) is the younger son of multi millionaire businessman (Sayaji Shinde) who falls instantly in love with Satya (Poorna). The girl is more inclined towards radical philosophies of uplifting the poor sections in society. In the process she develops hatred towards rich people. To impress Satya, here is Sri Krishna and his friend (Vennela Kishore) act like poor and finally Krishna wins her love.

In order to marry her, Krishna even makes his entire family to behave impoverished making them live in a slum basti. Finally when Krishna’s family accepts the girl, then comes a twist revealing that Satya is the only daughter of Rayalaseema factionist Nagineedu (Nagineedu) whose arch rival is Venkatappayya (Jayaprakash Reddy).

Now, Krishna makes his entire family to continue the drama to lay a sentimental trap around Nagineedu and Venkatappayya. Did this plan work out? How Krishna changed the faction atmosphere in Seema? forms the climax.

Values of the Movie Seema Tapakai: Story of the film could have been a regular one but it is Nageshwar Reddy’s addition of social concepts like removing of poverty, erasing of factionism which have made it little more interesting. Direction wise Nageshwar Reddy scored marks for comedy only in second half. Dialogues by Marudhuri Raja detonated in few scenes. Music by Vandemataram Srinivas is good both in songs and background. Vijay’s cinematography and Kotagiri’s editing are fine. Production values of Wellfare creations are very good.

Performance wise more than Allari Naresh, it is the remaining casting in the film that dominated. Of course Naresh was at his regular best in leading the show but each and every character has got sufficient screen time to perform. Poorna is little stout yet she will get the recognition for dances and good acting skills. Nagineedu excelled in sentiment scenes while Sayaji Shinde is at routine. Vennela Kishore got few punches right. Brahmanandam although had less number of scenes, he is worth generating the laughs. Among the remaining Sudha, Surekha Vani, MS Narayana, LB Sriram and we have a big bunch of comedy artist community getting their due portions.

Out of the Movie Seema Tapakai: Basic flaw for the film is weak first half. Reason being many scenes that are capable of bursting the smiles failed. The extra doses of serious scenes on ‘Poverty’ were repeatedly boring the audience. Sincerely speaking, Tapakai is bombed with high sound only in pre-climax Seema scenes on Jayaprakash Reddy followed by parody song (highlight is ‘Om Namo Venkatappayya,’ a spoof to ‘Khaleja’ song). Certain that audience will come out of theatre with laughing faces, thanks to last half an hour rib tickling episodes well treated by Nageshwar Reddy (which is his actual strength). More than this, we have loads and loads of sentimental scenes which are actual key as per storyline of the film. Surprise, even you have a simple lip kiss between main leads. I surely doubt on success of this film which may not be on par with ‘Allari’ Naresh’s earlier hits. This could be just a mild explosion at BO.

www.Zoomingzone.Blogspot.com Verdict of Seema Tapakai: First Half Waste & Second Half Blast!

100% Love 2011 Telugu Movie Review

Behind the Movie 100% Love: Naga Chaitanya and Tamanna joined the talented director Sukumar for this unusually titled flick on Geetha Arts. Music scored by Devi Sri Prasad already on the chartbusters, let us see how much % of marks did Sukku score with this ‘100% Love’?

In the Movie 100% Love: Balu Mahendra (Naga Chaitanya) is an Engineering student at KBR College and also the college topper. He always wants to be Number One and likes to be called as ‘Balu is great.’ Now enters his ‘Maradalu Pilla’ Maha Lakshmi (Tamanna) into the same college and residing in Balu’s house. Being from a Telugu medium background Maha Lakshmi gets assistance from ‘Bava’ Balu and soon she tops the exams.

Then on cat and mouse fights between the two for top rank gives a chance to other student Ajith (Anand) to become number one ranker in college. Maha and Balu get on to a compromise to beat Ajith in final year exams. In due course of combined preparation, they fall in love but egos stop them from sharing their inner opinions. Although Balu becomes the college topper, he isn’t happy for Maha because she feels that Ajith is still a better student than Balu.

Clash of egos make them depart while Balu’s grandma (KR Vijaya) wants to see her grand son and grand daughter united for marriage. How did Balu’s grandfather (Vijay Kumar) living separated from his wife make this young pair realize the true meaning of love forms the key point. In between Maha agrees to marry Ajith and Balu agrees to marry his Personal Secretary Priya. Finally how this childish couple changed their self opinions form rest of the climax.

Values of the Movie 100% Love: Sukumar touched a new, refreshing angle in college love and that too between the two college toppers. They are book worms yet they too have a romantic side. Once again screenplay is the magic thread for these kinds of movies. Hari Prasad seems to have worked enough but some how movie becomes feeble in second half. Sukumar’s strong mark was felt for first forty minutes of movie. Once the central point of movie is revealed when Balu moves away from marrying Maha, remaining portion of the film required strong concept and enormous depth in narration to unite the couple back. Here is where Sukku fumbled with pale stuff. Dialogues were funny and apt to the story line. Cinematography by Venkata Prasad is good especially in grabbing Tamanna’s sensible glamour while editing by Karthika Srinivas is also sharp and acute. Music by Devi Sri Prasad was excellent for two songs and background he impressed. Production values of Geetha Arts are also okay.

Performance wise Naga Chaitanya was at ease shouldering the college portion of film. When it comes to emotions, dancing, expressions and main content in second half…clearly his immaturity was visible. Tamanna was cute in both modern and traditional attires. 100% she dominated Chaitu in plenty of scenes and Sukku seems to have concentrated more on Maha character. Among others Anand, KR Vijaya, Vijay Kumar, Naresh, Dharmavarapu, MS Narayana and others are apt.

Out of the Movie 100% Love: If you are a hardcore admirer of Sukumar’s concepts, then you obviously feel pride for first half and bored for second half. Entertaining first half is the life line for 100% Love. Narration was confusing and ordinary in second half. Even main leads couldn’t help Sukku in elevating the principal concept. Tammu and Chaitu were hands up with no adequate strength in their performances in second half thus degrading the final output. Although there are few moments and good filmy climax to relive but second half lacked in regular Sukku style of treatment. ‘Aho Balu’ song is where Sukumar was at his peak.

Naga Chaitanya dancing to ANR numbers was a good episode but he looks funny. Tamanna might get the acceptance from public with this re-entry into Tollywood. Box Office wise, cool entertainment in ‘100% Love’ might attract youth to theatres in this peak summer season. With no other movies in fray for next few weeks, ‘100% Love’ may make its hold at Box Office for one to two weeks.

www.Zoomingzone.Blogspot.com Verdict of the Movie 100% Love: Time pass youthful entertainer worth passing in first division.

Rana's "Nenu Naa Rakshasi" 2011 Movie Review

Film: Nenu Na Rakshasi
Banner: Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Productions
Cast: Rana Daggubati, Ileana, Abhimanyu Singh, Subbaraju, Nagineedu, Ali, Mumaith Khan etc
Music: Rahman, Viswas, Anup Rubens
Lyrics: Rahman, Vishwas
Cinematogrpahy: Anmol Rathod
Producer: Nallamalupu Bujji
Story, Screenplay, Director: Puri Jagannath
Release Date: 29th Apr 2011
Puri Jagannath is back after Golimaar. He attracted the attention of the audience with the title ‘Nenu Na Rakshasi’. The term Rakshasi was assumed to be an adamant lover by majority audience. Knowing the genre where Puri is comfortable, the audience has piled some expectations on the film. Let us see if this has met the expectations.

Story:
The movie starts with Ileana committing suicide by hanging herself to death.

Abhi (Rana) is a professional shooter. Meenakshi (Ileana) is a cute girl who works in a coffee shop. She has the typical hobby of shooting the real suicides and upload in youtube.

The reason for Abhi becoming a shooter is the deaths of his parents in the hands of a cruel gangster named Rathna (Abhimanyu Singh). And the reason for Meenakshi to record the suicides in video is similar to that of Abhi.

An inspector (Subbaraju) investigates into this anonymous up loader of videos. He has a little daughter who gets close to Abhi, being neighbor. This little girl delivers a few punch dialogues which are true and to be underlined.

Abhi falls in Meenakshi’s love. With the series of happenings, who remains at last will form the rest of the story. Who commits suicide? Is the lady who committed suicide in the beginning is Meenakshi? What happens to Abhi? What happens to the little girl? To know answers, watch on big screen.

Performances:
Rana’s looks are matchless and needless to say again and again indeed. But he has to groom his energy levels in acting, expressions and gait. There is no other way than gaining experience in doing films continuously. He has no dancing material in him and that is not a minus point at all for an actor. He can stand as great actor even though not a good dancer. All that he has to do is gaining confidence and showing energy levels in his trade mark style.

Ileana is ok with her hour glass figure but she is remembered as a rough minded lady in this film than as a Cupid’s arrow.

Subbaraju is perfect as Cop but he has minimal role.

Mumaith Khan appears in a special role like a vamp but preaches the materialistic way of living in a song.

Ali managed to entertain audiences with his typical histrionics. Abhimanyu Singh is ok with his villainy.

Music is the plus point in this film and songs made audiences glue to seats. Background score by Anup Rubens gave a different feel for the film.

This is a higher level script that can go well only with intellectuals. Regular audiences cannot call this an entertainer.

Plus points:

    Music and songs
    Production values
    First half

Minus Points:

    Plot
    Screenplay
    Characterization
    Essence
    Second half
    Vulgar comedy

Analysis:
Both hero and heroine in this movie are shooters. While hero shoots with gun, heroine shoots with camera. While the hero shoots to kill the living, the heroine shoots to record the killing. It’s a pseudo thought tried to add a genuine color to it. The movie show cases cruelty in the disguise of reality. One needs to watch this movie with brain to understand that ‘reality’ and otherwise it sounds to be cruel.

This is the film made in the genre of filmnoir. The lead character in the film is Ileana with her cynical attitude on suicides. It is indeed difficult for Telugu audiences to digest such a character in a heroine. She neither opposes nor supports suicide but loves to shoot the individuals those commit suicide. Eerie!!!

First half of the film runs well with typical characters and takes off smooth. But the second half suffers severe turbulences and audiences start getting suffocated.  Although the character introduction of heroine is shooting the real deaths, there is no convincing end for her character even with her flash back. Well, it may appeal for those minds which have undergone real suicidal tendencies and made failed attempts. What the director wants to convey is blunt and rude. There are four characters in the movie those have come out in four dimensions from the thought process of the director.

    Live as you like and keep away the concept of sin and virtue (from the character of Mumaith Khan)
    If somebody is paining you and bringing suicidal tendencies in you, make yourself strong. Don’t revolt on them and just live your life rudely (from the character of Surya)
    If you feel your accomplishments are done and there is no one personal for you, then end your life (from the character of Rana)
    Suicides are not meaningless. They have great meaning (from the character of Ileana).

This is the typical character chart and thought line incorporated in the movie on broader scale.

These ideas are indeed cynical and hypothetical. What the director is wishing by making this movie? Is he asking the Law to make Suicides legal? Is he appealing for those who are inclined to commit suicide to carry on with their act? Is he wishing to make people strong or weak?

To answer one by one, recently the Supreme Court has suggested counseling the individuals those attempt suicide but not punish them.

Coming to next question, yes, the people those are on boarder line to commit suicide will commit it for sure. They lose ray of hope in life. (Director Ji!! Please recall Sri Sri’s song ‘kala kaanidi viluvainadi..bathuku kanneeti dhaarala thone bali cheyyaku…That song pumped hope in many hearts. They have approached Sri Sri thanking for the song that brought them back from suicidal tendency)

This film will not affect the strong people. It will affect the weak hearts by weakening them further.

This will not go well with B, C centers and A center audience try to understand the essence in this movie patiently with their heads. This is a kind of art film with commercial budget. This can be sent to film festivals and big headed critical critics may say some good lines about it out of obligations! It is a risky attempt business wise.

Bottom Line: New age Vedanta filled with Vairagyam

Manchivadu Telugu Movie Review

Manchivadu Review – Manchivadu Movie Review: Super Good Films is one of the very few banners which draw audience to theatres with its brand name. SGF is known for formulaic films with heavy dose of sentiment targeted at ladies and mass audience. Manchivadu from Mega Super Good Films has that stamp all over it. This movie is formulaic, sentimental and yeah of course ‘boring’. Here is the complete review…

Story:

Raja (Taneesh) is the grandson of a retired IAS officer (K. Vishwanadh). His grandfather hates him so much because Raja isn’t educated and does nothing to lead his life. Then comes Raja’s cousin Indu (Bhama) from US in to his life. She is well educated and beautiful and Raja falls for her in his first sight. Enters Ramesh (Shiva) who is also cousin to Raja and he has all the virtual aspects for making Indu to fall in his love.

But Raja with the help of his friend (Raghu Babu) cooks up a fake love story and says that he was dumped by his lover. Indu believes and sympathizes him and one day that girl comes for real in to Raja’s life. Will Raja’s love on Indu prove successful? What happens to the girl who enters Raja’s life as his lover? All these questions are answered in the second half of the film.

Analysis:

Director Deepthi came up with a clichéd story in which first half of the film has nothing but so called mass comedy. It is very loud that it would be a serious test for the audience patience. Every actor hams big time and the director never gave a chance for a breather with the loudness in the proceedings. Only interesting point in the film comes during the intermission break.

But again the film falls back into the same loud zone and all of a sudden it turns gloomy and dramatic. Brand Super Good comes into foreground out of nowhere and the hyper active lead man turns sober and silky soft. From then on every scene and dialog resembles a Television serial with heavy dose of glycerin.

Thanks to the director that he didn’t end this movie on a clichéd note. Had he done that Manchivadu might have ended up as a good for nothing film. However, the director should’ve ended this film with an anti climax. The final scene is complete waste and unwanted. Director opted for a happy ending but in that process has harmed the characterization of hero.

Performances:

Tanish is energetic and confident actor. He did well within his limits. But he should work on his histrionics in comedic scenes. In those scenes he is very loud and on par with actor Raghubabu in loudness. Bhama is another pretty face who can’t emote at all. Shiva is Okay. Vishwanadh is standard. Jayanthi went overboard in few scenes. Raghubabu’s loud comedy should please lower classes. Madhavi Latha and Sonia did cameos. Others all helped the proceedings.

Tehnicalities:

Gangothri Viswanadh dialogues are TV serial stuff. Such dialogs won’t work with film going audience. Sirpi’s music is pretty ordinary. He followed SA Raj Kumar’s pattern probably to please the producers who have been seriously addicted to SARK’s music. Background score is pathetic at the best. Venugopalan cinematography lacked quality. There is no consistency in the lighting and framings. Editing has many jump cuts. Production values are mediocre.

Such films don’t give any scope for the director to sparkle. Deepthi should blame himself for writing such weak storyline and wavered screenplay.

Plus Points:

- Wait, let me think!

Minus points:

- Gosh, there are far too many!

Final Word:

Manchivadu is targeted at ladies and B, C audience who doesn’t bother to watch loud entertainment and heavy dose of sentiment. This is standard super good movie and if you’re a loyal fan of theirs, then give it a try. Rest all can rest in peace.

Manchivadu Review rating: 2.25/5

Banner: Super Good Films
Cast: Tanish, Bhama, K.Vishwanadh
Music: Shilpi
Producers: NV Prasad, Paras Jain
Director: Lakshminaryana

Jr.NTR's "Shakti" Telugu Movie Review

Shakti Movie Review - Shakti Review - Shakti Telugu Movie Review: Aswini Dutt said that Shakti is the highest budget movie ever in Telugu. Jr. NTR stated that except him no one else can do this film. Meher Ramesh added that late NTR would be once again seen on screen in this film, such is the intensity of Rudra character, he told.

Well, after hearing such statements from the hero, producer and the director, anyone on earth would expect an earth shattering film. Shakti did shatter, not the earth but all the hopes and expectations. This is one of the poorly made high budget films in the past ten years. Read on Shakti Movie Review…

Story:
Egyptians (Sonu sood, Pooja Bedi) eyes Shakti Peethams in India to get their mummies back to life. However, they come to know that it is not an easy task to get that Shakti Trishoolam as it was guarded by Rudra (NTR Jr.). Sonu Sood dies in his hands when he tries to get that Trishoolam. His wife (Pooja Bedi) avenges her husband’s death and takes an oath to fulfill his desire. After 27 years, when the time arrives, she sends his men to get the Shakti Trishoolam. For that she has to kidnap Aishwarya (Ileana) who is born with the special powers of Shakti Matha. She is safeguarded by Shakti (NTR Jr.) and what happens next is the rest of the story.

Analysis:
Meher Ramesh seems to have a knack of picking the format of previous blockbusters and writing a new story in the same lines. His first film Kantri is a poor copy of Pokiri and it deservedly ended up as a flop. After making a below average film Billa, which is again a remake of Tamil hit, Meher is back in business.

Now, he took a cue from the biggest blockbuster of Tollywood, Magadheera and has written a story based on Shakti Peethams. When Magadheera is still afresh in the minds of Tollywood audience, making a film on the same lines is a bad idea. And when crores of rupees are at stake it is even more disastrous.

Shakti opens on a dull note. The concept of involving Egyptians in to this story didn’t work at all. The film is set up in 1984 and 2011 where the people are civilized and the kingly rule was vanished. But the director deliberately ignored many logics and blindly told whatever he felt like. May be he might have thought that anything is possible in a socio fantasy flick. When he has involved politicians, police and also military into this it is no longer a fantasy film, especially when the director revealed the period of time that the story is running in.

Even after ignoring logical errors, Shakti seems unconvincing and meaningless due to the lackluster script. The narrative too weak that you lose focus on the happenings within no time. First half of the film is sheer time waste. Interval twist is borrowed from Pokiri again.

The flashback part involving Rudra character has to be the lifeline for this film. But sadly that has turned out to be the major disaster. Meher Ramesh directly lifted dialogs and happenings from Magadheera in this part. Even NTR’s getup and outfit resembles to that of Charan’s in it. When the director faltered at the crucial juncture, there is no way that a film could survive. He might have tried to end the film with some sense so that the audience might have given him grace points. But the climax is ridiculously horrible.

Performances:
NTR Jr. is the only saving grace in this film. If not for him, audience might have walked out of the auditorium by the interval point. His performance as Shakti is cool. He looked dashing in those blazers in post interval scenes. However, he should have taken care on Rudra’s getup. It didn’t suit him at all. Even NTR diehard fans would be disappointed with it.

Ileana plays a spineless character which hardly gives her a chance to act. She has sizzled in the songs though. Sonu Sood’s role is limited and he is wasted. Pooja Bedi doesn’t know the basics of acting and watching her on screen is sheer torture. Manjari Fadnis played Rudra’s wife. There are hordes of actors in this film and none of them are given a purposeful role. Everyone looked pale and dull due to poor characterizations and bad dialogues.

Tehnicalities:
Mani Sharma’s music is another weak link in this movie. None of the songs are worth hearing repeatedly. Hari giri Nandini… song was good on ears but the director spoilt it with his picturization. Background score is bad too. Keeravani might have done a better job for this film. Dialogues by Satyanand are weak. None of the jokes worked and also the dialogues in crucial scenes are a big let down.

Sameer Reddy’s cinematography is good. Art department did a very good job. So called visual effects aren’t great. Producer has hyped this movie as the costliest film in Tollywood history but the grandeur is completely missing on screen. Except for shooting in number of locations, Shakti doesn’t possess any visual splendor.

Meher Ramesh yet again proved that his skills are limited. He should stick to commercial flicks rather jumping the genres.

Plus Points:
- Jr. NTR

Minus points:
- Story
- Screenplay
- Direction

Final Word:
Shakti is a major disappointment for all the hype it generated. Now the economics of this film completely depend upon the fate of other releases and holidays season. Given its budget and the high rates it was sold for, Shakti would find it really tough to get into a safe zone.

Shakti Review rating: 2.5/5

Title: Shakti Movie
Banner: Vyjayanthi Movies
Casting: Ileana, Jr NTR, Manjari, Sonu Sood
Music: Mani Sharma
Producer: Ashwini Dutt
Direction: Meher Ramesh