Radhe Shyam - Movie Review

Rebel Star Prabhas is back on the silver screen after 3 years of Saaho. UV creations bankrolled the project under the direction of Radhakrishna, who debut movie "Jil" was an average flick. Pooja Hegde is the female lead. 

Story :- Vikramaditya is a world famous Palmist who believes there's no love line in his life and thus doesn't want to commit to any serious relationship. Prerana is a doctor who loves to enjoy every moment of life despite her problem. Destiny makes both of them meet and fall in love. Where does this love story end and what's their destiny forms the rest of the story. 

Performances :- Pooja Hegde as Prerana is a perfect fit. She played it with elan. Prabhas as the Palmist and lover did an okay job. But lookd of Prabhas is terrible to say the least. If he was really looking that bad or it was the graphics done to his face, his eyes popped out, nose was big and looked very pale and stoned. To cut down the cheeks, graphics was used to his face which made him look unnatural and weird. Never have I seen Prabhas look so bad in any movie before this. Sharad Kelkar is good as the uncle of Prerana. Bhagyalakshmi as Aditya mother is overboard and not required at all. Jayaram and Priyadarshi tried to bring some laughs, but didn't work out. Krishnam Raju was unable to utter dialogue or even walk, not sure why he had to be casted. Murli Sharma doesn't have a single dialogue throughout the movie. 

Technicians:- Songs are the soul for a love story and that's an utter failure in Radhe shyam. Except "Nee Rathale" no other song is good or catchy. Background score by Thaman is good. Costumes are done well, syncing with the location and time period chosen. Cinematography is okay. Graphics looked very cheap and bad. Too much graphics used for the outdoor locations, songs, climax ship portions, etc., Production costs are unnecessarily increased by choosing the foreign location, time period and unnecessary graphics just for grandeur. 

Positivies :-

Pooja Hegde

Costumes

Plot

Negatives :-

Prabhas looks

Graphics

Boring narrattlion

Lack of emotional connect

Summary :- A love story with conflict as such could have been made with a medium budget and locally. The premise, grandeur wouldn't make the narration interesting. There is nothing gripping in the story that makes audience connect to.

Jil was not an hit or a classic. Handing over a 200 Cr budget movie to the director is a blunder. Same is the case with Saaho. Sujeet made a terrific debut with Run Raja Run, but he couldn't handle the image of Prabhas in Saaho, that too after. With these kind of movies, Prabhas is going to loose the market share and good name he got in Pan India. He also has to take care of his looks and choice of movies. He is spoiling his career just like how Pawan did after Kushi with too much gap in between movies, not taking care of looks, choosing bad Stories and directors. Hope he gets back on track with Salaar (Prashant Neel of KGF) and Adipurush. 

Rating :- 2/5. Not interesting or engaging, worst than Saaho. Utterly disappointed with Prabhas screen presence. 

Bheemla Nayak - Movie Review

Malayalam blockbuster "Ayyapanum koshium" is remade in Telugu with Pawan Kalyan and Rana in lead roles, with dialogues and screenplay provided by Trivikram Srinivas. 

Story :- One night, Daniel Shekar, an ex-military officer and a highly influenced family background gets arrested by Bheemla Nayak due to a small case. The events of that night makes the small case into a personal ego clash of both of them. How they challenge each other and when is the end for it forms the story. 

Performances :- Pawan Kalyan lives the role of Bheemla Nayak. An arrogant police officer role is not new to Pawan, what's new is playing an realistic officer who has to oblige the demands of influenced and follow orders. But after coming out of duty, the real powerstar comes who challalenges the antagonist and bashes the sidekickse. He was terrific. Rana steals the show with his attitude and performance as Daniel Shekar. He has lot of emotions to portray and he excelled in it. Nitya Menen and Samyukta has good and crucial roles which they have done neatly. Samuthrakani

 Murali Sharma were good.

Technicians :- Contrary to the expectations, Thaman didn't give the adrenaline rush with the background score. That's may be they have revealed the goosebumps stuff in teasers long back and people started expecting more than it. Few elevation scenes could have been provided better background score. Title song and LaLaBheemla both were well shot. Screenplay in 1st half was good, 2nd half could've been better. Dialogues were just okay, not significant as Trivikram's would be. Director did well considering his first big star movie. 

Positivies :-

Pawan Kalyan & Rana scenes

Pre inerval episode

Background score

Negatives :-

Lag or dull portion in 2nd half

Over board elevation in climax

Summary :-

Since I've not watched original version of Malayalam, I'm completely new to the premise and the story was engaging and realistic. Well executed and acted movie with good music. Original would have been more realistic and emotional considering how Malayalam movies were shot. Telugu version was modified matching to Pawan charisma and fanbase. 

Rating - 3/5

Definitely worth a watch if original was not seen. 

Love Story - Movie Review

After scoring blockbuster with Fidaa, Shekar Kammula is coming with Love Story. This is the 1st combo of Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi. They were supposed to be in Premam, but Sai Pallavi didn't want to do remake films, even though it would be recreating her character of "Malar Miss" from Premam original version in Malayalam. The same character was later offered to Shruti Hassan. 

Story :-

A selfmade zumba master who comes from downtrodden family and lower caste dreams of opening his own centre. A girl comes from her village to city, to get a job, stand on her own legs and take care of her family, instead of begging her own uncle for livelihood. Despite being from an upper caste, she has a dark past which disturbs her very often. How these 2 meet, fall in love, move ahead in life chasing their dreams and breaking the socio economic barriers forms the story. 

Performances :-

Sai Pallavi just killed it. You can't take eyes off her, be it the dance, emotions, anger, love, pain, she is just too good. Especially in the emotional scenes, you tend to feel her pain. Her dance moves were extraordinary. She's the best dancer I've ever seen on Indian screen till date. This is Naga Chaitanya's career best performance till date. His body language, dialogue delivery in Telangana slang, hai expressions were on par with Sai Pallavi. Though he is not a great dancer and knowing Sai Pallavi is a pro, he improved a lot and gave his best. Rajeev Kanakala as uncle is terrific and menacing. Uttej, Eswari Rao, Devayani were good in their roles. 

Technicians :-

Music is one of the biggest asset of the movie. Audie was a big hit long before it's release and the background score was also apt. Costume designing was very natural and neat. Cinematography was good. Unnecessary graphics of old city area should have been avoided, as it was clearly evident and made it look cheap. Picturization and placement of songs was good. Shekar Kammula dialogues were simple, real and striking. Direction was very well done, involving us in the story from first and makes us connect with lead pair. 2 serious and delicate social problems were addressed through a love story, which was very effectively done and it's not an easy job to do. 100% marks for that. Editing could have been crispier, as some parts felt boring. 

Positives :-

Sai Pallavi & Naga Chaitanya

Music

Basic plot and it's narration

Negatives :-

Slow pace

Editing and run time

Hurried climax 

Analysis :-

Love Story is an intense and emotional story with a strong message. Well perceived and is worth watching. 

Rating - 3/5

Navarasa (Web series) - Review

Mani Ratnam produced this web series which has 9 different stories, each representing one emotion of our "Navarasa".

1) Karuna - A revenge seeking brother kills his target, but he couldn't handle the guilt. He seeks Forgiveness (Karuna). Will he get it or not? Some of the finest actors like Prakash Raj, Revathy, Vijay Sethupathi were wasted in this story. No match to their talent nor it's engaging enough. 2/5

2) Hasya - A school drop out kids who grows up to become a comedian in films, comes back to his childhood school as chief guest and recollects old memories. Most boring episode of the series. Yogi is purely Unutilized. 0/5

3) Adbhuta - A scientist calls his friend to home and explains how dangerous his new invention is and how he lost everything due to it. He asks his friend to ask govt to stop his assistant who already knew a lot about his invention. This episode is the best of the lot. It's a thriller and worth watching. Arvind Swamy and Prasanna were very good, but Director Karthick Naren is stupendous. 4/5

4) Bheebatsa - A jeolous elder brother can't see the happiness in his younger brothers family. He reluctantly attends marriage of his brother and disrupts the preparations. Felt the title is not apt. Story wise it's not great nor it was interesting. But acting wise Delhi Ganesh was too natural and believable as usual. 2.5/5

5) Shanthih - Set at the border of a village where LTTE and Sri Lankan army have set their posts on both sides, one terrorist tries to save a young boy's younger brother by going inside the village. Was he able to save? Bobby Simha did good job as the terrorist, Gautam Menon as their leader made his presence felt. This is also kind of okay story. 2.5/5

6) Raudra - A single mother suffers a lot in  bringing up a son and a daughter by doing household chores. The son pressurises his mother to take debt to get his football shoes so that he can play for his team. She somehow manages to get the money and the son wish comes true. What happens next is Violence. This is second best episode of the series. Arvind Swamy as director also shines with it. Terrific screenplay. A R Rahman background score and Santosh Shivan cinematography takes the narration to next level. 4/5

7) Bhayaanaka - A dark past of a woman finds where she is and knocks her door. Initially though she couldn't identify, by the time she comes to know about it, she cannot escape from it. This story is also well written and well acted. Siddarth & Parvathy were aptly cast and they did good job. Background score of Vishal Bharadwaj needs special mention. 3.5/5

8) Veera - After a shootout between naxalites and police, a naxalite leader gets injured and is caught by police. Taking him to headquarters was the responsibility of a newly joined policeman. Was he able to deliver it? Atharvaa and Kishore were fine in their role, in this not so gripping tale. May be Vijay Sethupathi would have been a better choice for Naxalite role. 2.5/5

9) Srinagara - Love at first sight happens between a music director/singer and lady singer. How they express their love, how they blush, how they enjoy each other's company and where are they headed forms the story! This is my personal favorite. A typical Gautam Vasudev Menon love story, with soulful music, mind blowing chemistry and what not. Suriya was too good, as usual. But you just can't take eyes off Prayaga Martin. She's gorgeous. You have to give major part of the credit to PC Sreeram for his lens. He was phenomenal. Karthik's music is a big asset for it. All songs were outstanding, especially when Raja Sir tunes make way in between. 4/5

Andhakaaram - Movie Review

Story - Andhakaaram is a thriller of unique concept. A blind library clerk, a psychologically disturbed cricketer, a stubborn psychiatrist are the lead characters whose lives are interlinked or crosses path of each other which establishes the premise of the story. How all 3 end up in this thriller is the story. 

Performances - All the cast excel in their respective roles with stellar performances. Arjun Das (Khaidi fame) gets a meatier role as a disturbed cricketer who gets to emote a lot of emotions and he is phenomenal. Vinod Kishan as blind person is good and believable. Kumar Natarajan as psychiatrist is cool yet menacing. 

Technicians - Photography, costumes and background score are apt. Casting team has done a good job. Direction is excellent with engaging and edgy narration. Screenplay wise this is one of the best movies we have seen. Of you're not attentive, you may not catch up with the story. Such is the complexity of the story. Only disappointment is the climax portion which has been narrated too quickly and we cannot grasp the content. Also the run time should have been trimmed a bit. 

Strength - Excellent screenplay, cast, photography, costumes

Weakness - Climax, run time

Analysis - A unique thriller with complex screenplay makes this movie a must watch. 

Rating - 3.25/5

Color Photo - Movie Review

Sandeep Raj, who's famous as a short film actor and director, made his first feature film "Color Photo". His close friend and his lead actor in short films, Suhas is the hero in the movie. Suhas is already a noted actor with films like Agent Sai Srinivas Athreya, Prati Roju Pandage, Uma Maheshwara Ugraroopasya, Dear Comrade etc., Chandni Chowdhary, another noted actress from short films, is heroine in the movie. 

Story - The story of the movie has been beaten to death since ages and is nothing novel. A guy from poor background falls in love with a girl from a financially higher background. How they met, how their relationship started, what struggles they faced and how did they end up, forms the story. Narration, screenplay and characterisations, dialogues and cast are the strengths of the movie. Director excelled in these areas which makes the movie grow on you. 

Performances :- Suhas is a natural actor. His voice is a big asset. The characterisation of "Jaya Krishna" suits perfectly for his physique, body language. He was flawless in the role. He was so natural that we connect with him and travel with him throughout the movie. You feel happy, excited, thrilled for him and he also makes you cry. Chandni got a very good role to show her acting prowess and she has nailed it. The character "Deepthi" has lot of confidence, maturity. Her expressions were fabulous. Sunil is terrific as Chandni's brother. It's great to see him I'm character roles, not just as a comedian. Viva Harsha provides the comic relief with his natural timing. There were many new artists and short film artists in recognizable roles and they did well. 

Technicians :- Music is the backbone for any love story. Kaala Bhairava has catched the soul of the movie perfectly with songs and background score. It elevates the movie to next level. Costumes were simple, apt and matching to the 90's genre. Cinematography was bright and rich. 

Need to tell a lot about director Sandeep Raj. He narrated a simple story in a touching way that we feel for the characters. He did elevate the heoism but in a subtle way, in line with hero's personality and characterisation. Conflict points and dialogues following them were logical and convincing. Best part is he showed what happens in the end in first episode itself, still glued us with his narration till end, which is a tough job. 

Analysis :- Not sure why majority of critics were killing the movie with negative ratings. Movie has good feel for it with natural characterisation and excellent acting. 

Rating :- 3/5. First OTT release in Covid that's really worth watching. 

"సుడి"గుండం

సాంబయ్య కష్టపడి కూతురుని డిగ్రీ దాకా చదివించాడు. ఆ డిగ్రీ ద్వారా నె ఊళ్లో చిన్న ఉద్యోగం సంపాదించింది లక్ష్మి. తల్లి లేని పిల్ల కి అన్ని తానె అయి చూసుకున్నాడు. ఇంక పెళ్ళి ఒక్కటి చేస్తే తన బాధ్యత తీరిపోతుంది. లక్ష్మి ని చూసి, పెళ్ళి చేసుకోడానికి ఇష్టపడతాడు మేనేజర్. లక్ష్మి కూడా నచ్చడం తో సాంబయ్య కూడా సరే అన్నాడు. మేనేజర్ తండ్రికి జాతకాల పిచ్చి. లక్ష్మి జాతాకం తన కొడుకు జాతాకం తో పక్కాగా కుదరడం తో ఆయన అడ్డు చెప్పలేదు. కాకపోతే మే నెల లో పెట్టిన ముహూర్తానికి పెళ్ళి జరిపించాల్సినదే అని పట్టు పట్టాడు. సాంబయ్య బాధ అల్లా, ప్రపంచం ఎంత ముందుకు పరిగెడుతున్నా, ఎన్ని సరికొత్త ఆవిష్కరణాలు జరిగినా, ఆడ పిల్ల పెళ్ళి చెయ్యాలంటే కట్నం ఇచ్చుకోవలసినదే. పరువు పేరు తోనొ, పరపతి సాకుగానో, ఆచారం మాటుగానో ఇంకా కట్నం నక్కి ఉంది. సాంబయ్య పరిస్థితి అర్ధం చేసుకున్న మేనేజర్ తండ్రి, కట్నం కుదరక పొతే కనీసం ఘనంగా పెళ్ళి జరిపించమన్నాడు. సాంబయ్య దగ్గర ఉన్న డబ్బు తో ఒక 20 మందికి భోజనం పెట్టి గుళ్లో పెళ్ళి చేయించగలడు. ఏమి చెయ్యాలో అర్ధం అవ్వటంలేదు సాంబయ్య కి. 

అక్బర్ ఒకప్పుడు చేతి నిండా పని ఉన్న టైలర్. పండుగలప్పుడు, షాప్ లో పగలు రాత్రి పని చేసినా ఖాళీ ఉండేది కాదు. రెడీమెడ్ బట్టలు పెరిగాక అక్బర్ కి పని లేకుండా పోయింది, షాప్ కూడా వదిలేసాడు. బయట అప్పులు ఎక్కువ అయిపోయాయి, ఇల్లు తాకట్టు పెట్టాడు. బిగ్ బజార్ లో ఆల్టరింగ్ చేసే టైలర్ గా చేరాడు. కొన్నాళ్లు బానే నడిచింది, మెల్ల మెల్లగా అప్పులు తీర్చుతున్నాడు. ఇంకొంచెం డబ్బులు వస్తే అప్పులు అన్ని తిరిపోతాయి, ఇల్లు విడిపించు కోవచ్చు అనుకున్నాడు. కాని ఇప్పుడూ ఈ ఫ్లిప్ కార్ట్, అమెజాన్ పెరిగాక బిగ్ బజార్ కి జనాలు తగ్గిపోయారు, పెద్దగా పని కూడా లేకుండా పోయింది, డబ్బులు రావడము ఆగిపోయింది. ఎక్కడా పని దొరకటం లేదు. క్లాత్ తెచ్చి కుట్టమని అడిగే నాధుడే లేకుండా పోయాడు. డబ్బులు ఎలా సంపాదించాలో తెలీయటలేదు. 

ప్రకాశ్ ఒక సాఫ్ట్వేర్ ఇంజనీర్. తెలివి గలవాడు, కష్టపడి పని చేసే మనస్తత్వం. కాకపోతే మోహమాటం ఎక్కువ. ఎవరైనా ఏదైనా అడిగితే కాదనలేడు. అలాగే తనకి ఏదైనా కావాలన్న ఖచ్చితం గా అడగలేడు. ప్రకాశ్ వాళ్ల బాస్ పరమ నీచుడు. ప్రకాశ్ తో మిగతా వాళ్ల పనులు కూడా చేయించేవాడు. ప్రకాశ్ రోజు రాత్రి దాకా పని చేస్తుంటే బాస్ మిగతా వారు కలిసి ఆఫీస్ నుంచి త్వరగా చెక్కేసి పార్టీ లు చేసుకునే వాళ్ళు. ఆఖరికి ఒక్కోసారి శని, ఆది వారాలు కూడా వెళ్ళాల్సి వచ్చేది. ప్రకాశ్ కి 6 నెలల క్రితం కూతురు పుట్టింది. డెలివరి అప్పుడు 10 రోజులు సెలవు ఇచ్చాడు వాళ్ల బాస్, ఊరు వెళ్లి భార్య పిల్ల దగ్గర ఉండడానికీ, అంతే. మళ్లీ ఎప్పుడు సెలవు అడిగినా ఎదో ఒక సాకు తో కుదరదు అనేవాడు. ప్రకాశ్ కి ఊరు వెళ్లి కూతురు ని చూడాలని ఉండేది, కుదరటం లేదు. 

రవి కి చిన్నప్పటి నుంచి చదువు అబ్బ లేదు. ఎప్పుడు క్లాసు లో లాస్ట్ వచ్చేవాడు ఒక్క లెక్కలలో తప్ప. అన్ని సబ్జెక్టులు పోయిన, లెక్కలు లో మాత్రం మంచి మార్కులు వచ్చేవి. కాని అన్ని సబ్జెక్టులు పాసు ఆయితే నే తరువాతి క్లాసు కి పంపిస్తారు. ప్రతిసంవత్సరం పరీక్షల ఫలితాలు రాగానే, రవి వాళ్ల నాన్న టీచర్ల ని బతిమాలి తరువాతి క్లాసు కి తెప్పించెవాడు. ఫలితాలు వచ్చిన రోజు రవి కి వాళ్ల నాన్న చేతిలో బడిత పూజ జరిగేది. ఈ సంవత్సరం రవి పదవ తరగతి. వాళ్ల నాన్న రవి ని కూర్చోబెట్టి చెప్తాడు "నువ్వు ఇంక పై చదువులు చదవ లేవు అని నాకు అర్దం అయింది. కాని కనీసం పదవ తరుగతి కూడా పాస్ అవకపోతే ఎవడు ఉద్యోగం ఇవ్వడు. నీకు లెక్కలు ఎలాగు బాగా వచ్చు కాబట్టి పది పాస్ ఆయితే మా కంపెనీ లో ఎకౌంటు డిపార్ట్మెంట్ లో ఉద్యోగం వేయించ వచ్చు. ఏలాగోలా కష్టపడి ఈసారి పాస్ అవ్వరా. ఇన్నాళ్ల లా  టీచర్ల ని బతిమాలితె పాస్ అవ్వవు". సంవత్సరం పూర్తి అయిపోతుంది. రవి చదువు లో యే మార్పు లేదు. స్కూల్ లో పెట్టిన అన్ని పరీక్షలు పోయాయి. ఆఖరి పరీక్షల సమయం వచేసింది. రవి కి భయం తో చమటలు పడుతున్నాయి. 

ఒక్కొక్కరికి ఒక్కో రకమైన సమస్య, కానీ అందరికి ఒకే ఉపాయం. ప్రపంచం మొత్తాన్ని భయపెట్టేది వీళ్ల కి సహాయం చేసింది. అదే కరోనా. 

ఎక్కువ మంది ఒక చోట చేర కూడదు అని ప్రభుత్వం ఉత్తరువులు జారీ చేసింది. పెళ్ళి కి 20 మందికి మాత్రమే పర్మిషన్ ఇచ్చింది. సాంబయ్య తన దగ్గర ఉన్న డబ్బు తోనే కూతురు పెళ్ళి చేసేసాడు. మగ పెళ్ళి వాళ్లకి ముహూర్తపు పట్టింపు ఉండడం తో పెళ్ళి అప్పుడే చేసేయాల్సి వచ్చింది. 

ఇలాంటి సమయం లో పరీక్షలు నిర్వహించ కూడదు అని చెప్పి, పదవ తరగతి పరీక్షలు రాయకుండానే అందరిని పాస్ చేసింది ప్రభుత్వం. రవి గట్టు ఎక్కేసాడు. 

బయట కి వెల్లే ప్రతి ఒక్కరికి మాస్క్ తప్పనిసరి అవ్వడం తో అందరు క్లాత్ మాస్క్ లు వాడడం మొదలు పెట్టారు, అవి ఆయితే ఉతికి వేసుకో వచ్చు అని. దీనితో అక్బర్ కి చేతి నిండా పని, రోజు కి 100-200 మాస్క్ లు చేసినా సమయం సరిపోవటం లేదు. అప్పులు తీర్చుకోగలిగాడు. 

కరోనా తగ్గే వరకు అందరికి ఇంటి నుంచి పని చేయాలని సాఫ్ట్వేర్ కంపెనీ లు ప్రకటించాయి. ప్రకాశ్ 4 నెలలు గా ఇంటి నుంచి పగలు పని చేస్తూ తర్వాత కూతురు తో ఆడుకుంటున్నాడు. 

ప్రపంచాన్ని అల్లకల్లోలం చేస్తున్న కరోనా అనే సుడిగుండము లో వీళ్ల సుడి తిరిగింది, వీళ్ల చిన్న పాటి కష్టాల నుంచి బయట పడేసినది. 

మజిలీ - చిత్రలహరి నుంచి నెట్ఫ్లిక్ దాకా

80 లో, 90 లో ఒక దిగువ మధ్య తరగతి కుటుంబం లో పిల్లలు, రోజూ స్కూల్ కు వెళ్లి సాయంతరం ఇంటికి వచ్చి, ఏదైనా చిరు తిండి తిని, వీది లో స్నేహితుల తో ఆడుకోవడం, తరువాత హోమ్ వర్క్ చేసుకుని, భోజనం చేసి, అమ్మ తో కథలు చెప్పించుకుని పొడుకోవడము. ఈ దినచర్య శుక్రవారం కొంచెం మారుతుంది. హోమ్ వర్క్ త్వరత్వరగా పూర్తి చేసి, 7:30 ఎప్పుడు అవుతుందా అని ఆశ గా ఎదురు చూసే వాళ్ళు. ఆ సమాయనికి దూరదర్శన్ లో చిత్రాలహరి వస్తుoది. 6 పాటలు, అరగంట కార్యక్రమం, దీని కోసమే వారం రోజులు ఎదురు చూపులు. ఆలాగే ఆదివారం మధ్యానం 3:30 కి ఒక సినిమా. ఇదే అప్పట్లో ఎంటర్టైన్మంట్. 5 రూ కి అరగంట అద్దె సైకిల్ దొరికేది. ఆ సైకిల్ తొక్కుతూ హీరో లా ఫీల్ అయ్యి, దగ్గర లో ఉన్న స్నేహితుడి ఇంటికి వెల్లితె ఆ ఆనందమే వేరు. 1 రూ కి 4 చిన్న పాల కోవాలు లేదా పప్పు ఉండలు వచ్చేవి . అవే అప్పట్లో జంక్ ఫుడ్. స్కూల్ బయట అమ్మే పాల ఐస్, ఉసిరికాయలు అంటే పిచ్చి. కొత్త సినిమా పాటల పుస్తకం కొనుక్కుని ఆ పాటలు కంఠస్థం పడితే అదో ఆనందము. వినాయక చవితి వస్తే పిల్లల ఆనందానికి అంతు ఉండదు. వీది లో విగ్రహము పెట్టి, రోజంతా కొత్త సినిమా పాటలు, రాత్రికి తెర కట్టి సినిమా లు వేసేవారు. అప్పట్లో అదే కార్నివల్. అప్పుడప్పుడు ఇంట్లో వాళ్ళు సినిమా కి తీస్కుని వెల్లితె, ఇంటర్వెల్ లో ఇప్పించె గోల్డ్ స్పాట్ గురించే ఎదురు చూసే వాళ్ళు. సంక్రాంతి వస్తే అమ్మమ్మ నానమ్మ ల ఇల్లకూ వెళ్లి, పిల్లలు అందరూ కలిసి అష్తా చెమ్మ, దొంగ పోలీసు, రాముడు సీతా అడుకుంటే సమయమే తెలిసేది కాదు.

ఆలా మొదలైన ప్రయాణం, ఇప్పుడు 2020 లో చాలా మారింది. వారానికి ఆరు పాటలు, ఒక్క సినిమా వచ్చే రోజుల  నుంచి, ఇప్పుడు రోజు మొత్త్తం కేవలం  సిన్మాలు, పాటలు మాత్రమే వచ్చే చానెల్స్ బోలెడు ఉన్నాయి. కానీ చూడం. బోర్ కొడుతోంది.  ఇది చాలదు అన్నట్టు ఏ సినిమా అయినా, ఏ పాటైనా, ఎప్పుడు కావాలంటే అప్పుడు చూసుకోడానికి యూట్యూబ్ ఉంది. త్వరత్వరగా హోమ్ వర్క్ పూర్తి చేసి టీవీ ముందు కూర్చోవాల్సిన పని లేదు. వినాయక చవితి కోసం ఎదురు చూడాల్సిన అవసరం లేదు. అద్దెకి సైకిల్ తీసుకోవాల్సిన అవసరం లేదు, ఇంట్లోనే సైకిల్ ఉంటుంది. ఎప్పుడు కావాలంటే అప్పుడు తొక్కొచ్చు. సినిమా కి వెళ్తే కానీ ఇంటర్వెల్ లో కూల్డ్రింక్ తగలేము అనే పరిస్థితి లేదు. ఇంట్లో ఫ్రిడ్జ్ లో ఎప్పుడు ఒక కూల్డ్రింక్ బాటిల్ ఉండనే ఉంది. ఫ్రెంచ్ ఫ్రైస్, పాస్తా, మేగీ ఏది కావాలంటే అది ఇంట్లో ఉంటుంది, ఎప్పుడు కావాలంటే అప్పుడు తినొచ్చు. కేక్, ఐస్ క్రీమ్, పిజ్జా, ఏది కావాలంటే అది ఇంట్లో కూర్చుని ఆర్డర్ ఇస్తే అరగంట లో ఇంటికి వస్తుంది. అది కాకుంటే, ఇంట్లోనే సొంతంగా చేసుకోవచ్చు. పండగకి ఇంటికి వెళ్తే తప్ప చుట్టాలని చూడలేని పరిస్థితి లేదు. ఎంత దూరం ఉన్న వాళ్లయినా ఒక్క వీడియో కాల్ అంట సేపు పట్టదు చూడటానికి. ఇవి సరిపోవన్నట్టు ప్రపంచ దేశాల్లోని  వేరు వేరు భాషల్లోని సినిమాలు, సిరీస్ లు, మనకు అర్ధం అయ్యేలా ఇంగ్లిష్ సబ్ టైటిల్స్ తో అమెజాన్ ప్రైమ్, నెట్ఫ్లిక్, హాట్స్టార్  లో దొరుకుతున్నాయి. సినిమా వాళ్ళు, నాయకులు, ఆటగాళ్లు వాళ్ళ గురించి తెలుసుకోడానికి ట్విట్టర్, ఇంస్టాగ్రామ్, వందల్లో స్నేహితుల తో మాట్లాడుకోడానికి, ఫోటోలు వీడియోలు చూసుకోడానికి ఫేస్బుక్. నటించడానికి, డాన్సులు చేయడానికి టిక్ టాక్ లు.  

ఒకప్పుడు అద్భుతం అదృష్టం అనుకున్నవి, ఇప్పుడు అవలీలగా దొరికేస్తున్నాయి. అందుకే వాటి విశిష్టత  కోల్పోయాయేమో. తేలికగా దొరికే దేనికి విలువ ఉండదు. ఏదయినా ఎక్కువ మోతాదు లో ఉంటె వెగటు పుడుతుంది. ఎంత తక్కువ ఉంటే అంత ప్రత్యేకత. 

Ala Vaikuntapuramulo - Review

After 2 successful outings with Julayi and S/o Sathyamurthy, Trivikram and Allu Arjun are back with "Ala Vaikuntapuramulo". Allu Arjun took a long break after the debacle of "Naa peru Surya". Also, DJ was an average grosser. Allu Arjun badly needs this one to be a blockbuster. Though Trivikram bounced back with "Aravinda Sametha", after forgettable pongal with "Agnyaathavaasi", he needs to prove the audience his entertaining skills are far from over. 

Story : Valmeeki (Murli Sharma) and Ramachandra (Jayaram) were colleagues at same level in the company of ARK (Sachin Khedekar). However, after impressing ARK and getting married to ARK's daughter Yasu (Tabu), Ramachandra's fate changes and becomes owner. Valmeeki always curses his own fate and feels jealous about Ramachandra's. Valmeeki and Ramchandra gets blessed with sons on same day at same hospital, then Valmeeki plots a horrific gamble. 

Cut to today's scene, whatever Bantu (Allu Arjun) does, his father Valmeeki  finds fault with it since childhood. Valmeeki calls Bantu as unlucky and his fate would never change. Bantu however grabs a job under Amulya (Pooja Hegde) who runs a travel agency. Bantu saves Ramachandra from a murder attempt and on the same day he comes to know about the truth of his birth and Valmeeki's gamble. 

What happens from then and What is Bantu's course of action forms the rest of the story. 

Performances : Murli sharma gets a meaty role and he just nails it, a fantastic performer. His mannerisms, walking style, dialogue delivery is tremendous. Allu Arjun gets a packaged telugu hero character, where he has scope to do romance, dance, comedy, sentiment. He excels in all and provided wholesome entertainment. Jayaram and Sachin Khedekar were good in their roles. Tabu and Samudrakani were okay with limited screen presence. Pooja Hegde was there for songs and glamour show, not much of scope for performance when compared to Aravinda Sametha. Not sure what was the purpose of Rajendra Prasad's character in the movie. 

Technicians : SS Thaman is the hero behind screen. He was one major driving force for people to throng to theatres after Bunny and Trivikram. 5 Chartbuster songs and another surprise Chartbuster in the climax. Terrific background score. He reduced the effort of promotions with his best album. Ram-Lakshmam masters fights were slick and stylish. P.S.Vinod cinematography is an asset to the movie, with rich and elegant colours. Special mention to costumes and art departments. Editing made the movie crisp and striking. 

Guruji Trivikram Srinivas has delivered a pakka commercial entertainer as a director. However, fans of vintage dialogue writer Trivikram would be slowly getting used to this kind of cinema where you have to search for witty one liners with a magnifying class. Gone were the days when we used to miss a one liner while we were laughing out loud for the previous one. However, can't complain if you are engaged and entertained for 2 hr 45 mins.

Positives :

Allu Arjun & Murli Sharma acting

All songs

Board room episode

Negatives :

To some extent, climax

Analysis : It's a complete family entertainer. Though the basic plot olis lifted from 80's, treatment of it makes the film interesting. Stylish taking, heroic moments, ample comedy, tapping music makes it a winner. 

Rating : 3.5/5 (He's back with a bang) 

The rise and EPIC FALL of RGV

Just by looking at the title of the article one should be able to estimate the quantum of rise and fall of RGV. Filmy life of RGV reflects the story of "Balu" in "Saagara Sangamam". A talented individual who was about to become a legend, gets wasted due to some unavoidable circumstances. Only difference is that Balu reforms as a dance master and dies on a high note, while RGV is neither dying not leaving audience peacefully. Apologies to "Saagara sangamam" fans for defaming the classic by comparing it with RGV. 

In the 90's and early 2000 RGV was a sensation. Pioneer of new age film making, breaking all the standard templates. Casting, dialogues, characters, backdrop, camera angles, background score, lighting, RGV made an impact on each and every craft of cinema. Audience as well as director aspirants used to go crazy about RGV during those days. There's a reason to it. He made modern day classics with simple and normal stories, just with his midas touch. 

Remember the scene when Bhavani sees Shiva for the first time in Shiva movie. Nagarjuna carries a rowdy on his shoulder in rain and stands in front of Raghuvaran. Bharani slowly whispers in Rahuvaran's ears "Shiva ante eede", then maestro ilayaraja gives an riveting background score. Simple yet powerful. No thigh slapping, no punch dialogues. That's RGV style. 

When Benarjee fumes anger for sitting idle even after Charan Raj is killed in Gaayam, Jagapathi Babu says "Nuvu normuy, chanipoindi maa annayya". That's the moment cool and casual durga prasad transformed to the dreadful Don durga. The scene where Durga gives complaint to commissioner with names of the suspects of his brother's,  all of them gets killed by Durga's men at the same time. Terrific revenge. That's RGV taking. 

In Kshana Kshanam, Seeing Paresh Rawal, his associate hides the cloak room ticket in the passport photo covers and runs inside photo studio and tries to escape from ventilator window. When Rawal's aides catches and brings him to Rawal, he asks "Ekkadiko velthunattunnav". Sridevi denies Venkatesh's help in getting out of the mud pit and tries to climb on her own, she ends up drowned in mid water with grass in hand. That's RGV humor. 

Audience shout whenever Urmila matondkar is slowly moving in the house anticipating devil would be shown here and there in Bhoot (12 va anthasthu). But they couldn't trace a devil and are left waiting. After she drinks water from refrigerator and climbs the staircase in midnight, at the corner you find a small girl as devil, that's beats the hell out of you. That's RGV horror. 

There are many such terrific episodes justifying his brilliance in movies like Antham, Satya, Company, Sarkar, Rakha Charitra, etc., During his golden period as a director, RGV used to talk less and his movies used to speak more. Now, it's just the opposite. RGV talks a lot and his movies are on mute. 

May be due to the subjects he chose or the sensitive topics/characters he has taken up, RGV attracted lot of media attention and criticism. But he never backed off due to it, be it Govinda Govinda or Company. But now he is choosing subjects just to get media attention and criticism, but no actual content at all. 

The downfall of RGV is so steep that, initially his loyal associates/techinicians started distancing from him, then noted actors, then production houses, now audience. I was such a huge fan of RGV that the only book I purchased and read in my entire life was Naa Ishtam. But now, I don't even remember the last RGV movie I saw in a theatre, even worst, the last RGV movie I was able to watch completely even on a TV. 

Bhoot (2003) was the last good movie of RGV's prime period. There were very few good attempts here and there, but majority is trash. Naach, Madhyanam hatya, Aag, Contract, Rann, etc fall under this category. 

From Appalaraju started the bullshit movies of RGV. Pure original scrap, nothing more. Dongala mutha, Not a love story, Department, Bhoot Returns, Satya 2, Rowdy, Ice Cream, Anukshanam, Ice Cream 2, 365 days, Veerappan, Attack, Vangaveeti, Sarkar 3, GST, Officer, Lakshmi's NTR, Kamma Rajyamlo Kadapa Redlu and more to come. 

Promoting "Madhyanam hatya" with hoardings of "Meereppudina mi bhaarya ni champalanukunnara". Creating controversy by selecting " Bejawada Rowdylu" and challenging them on this subject. Taking a porn star and making God, Sex and Truth. Provocating NTR's family with "Lakshmi's NTR". Making spoof of all politicians and pleasing YS Jagan Moham Reddy fan base with "Kamma Rajyamlo Kadapa Redlu". Going to ismart shankar on a triple riding bike. These are few examples of RGV's thirst for publicity and Sensationalism. 

He stooped to such a low level that he advised Sri Reddy to use cuss words about mother and criticize pawan kalyan just to garner more media attention. Even his loyal disciples turned directors didn't like this version of Ramu, that's the peaks he can go. 

At one point of time, Telugu people felt proud of RGV as he is making an impact even in Bollywood. Now we are ashamed to tell outside world that he is one of us. 

I pity the review writers who are the only few people in theaters for a RGV movie, as they have to go through the torture so that they can fulfill the duty of giving 0.5 or 1 star. 

Picture abhi baaki hai, there is more rubbish the come from RGV. 

The rise and fall gallery fallest of RGV. 

Tricky Trekking

Kathmandu Airport

Time : 10:00AM

Raju is waiting near domestic arrivals to pick up "Imran and Swetha", who were coming for trekking in Nepal. Imran has already shared their photos with Raju through WhatsApp to easily identify. Flight from Delhi has arrived and within 15 minutes both Imran and Shwetha were out and Raju spotted them. They went to hotel, checked in and went for local sightseeing in Kathmandu. However, they didn't go to Pasupathinath mandir, despite Raju trying to convince that it's the main attraction of Kathmandu. Raju has come from Lucknow and settled in Nepal as driver. He has an pinch of right wing ideology and was already disturbed with the names of "Imran" and "Shwetha" as a couple, now with denying visit to temple he is too offended. He wanted to teach a lesson to the couple and is looking for a right opportunity. 

Next day morning, all 3 leave for their trekking base camp. Base camp is a remote location and inaccessible to mobile service. Raju thought that's a perfect location to attack this couple, whom he feel are shame to his country and culture. He has already informed his driver friend Murali to come to a particular spot on the way to base camp and shall plan an attack. Camp is 4 hours that road drive and after traveling for 3 hours, they take a break at a tea stall which is at a no mobile service area. Just then Raju gets a call from an unknown number but the voice is not clear at all. He is worried if it's from Murali and there is a change in plan. He tries calling back that number but couldn't connect it. As expected, Murali doesn't turn up at their planned spot. With not much options left, Raju heads towards base camp. He thinks to at least plan the attack during return journey. 

Next day morning, after the couple leaves for trekking, Raju comes down to the mobile service area and tries to reach Murali's mobile but it's switched off. He calls to the unknown number from which he got call yesterday. Raju goes into a state of shock after speaking on phone. It was Shwetha's mobile number and Imran speaks on phone stating that their trip got cancelled in last minute due to unavoidable circumstances. 

So, Raju planned an attack on.............