Buzzing Movies

The heading for this review is given basing on the idea of the movie. Although it is not a direct lift from Chiranjeevi’s life there are many instances where it resembled the present situation. In real life, Chiranjeevi is a big film star turned politician, but here in this film, the lead role is an ordinary man turned politician. That’s the only difference. For someone who has come from an ordinary background, the role of being a Chief Minister is not only difficult but he will also see the dirty game of politics that is played. How does he overcome the challenges, let us see.

Story:

Suribabu (Jagapathi) is a man who does not stand injustice and believes in serving people. And he is unemployed. His godfather Sriramulu (Parachuri), a good local leader decides to get him a job at CM office and speaks to CM (Ahuti Prasad). Suri joins as PS to CM but a sequence of events happen and Sriramulu is killed. His last wish is to see Suri into politics and in no time, Suri an ordinary PS becomes an MLA. Meanwhile, he is also in love with Rajeshwari (Shraddha) a doctor. Eventually he forms PDF (Progress Democratic Front), a group of independent MLAs. With his coalition with Progress Party, in no time, Suri also becomes the Chief Minister and takes the help of honest cop Hamsa (Hamsa Nandini) to weed out the evil elements. How does he become CM and what challenges he faces forms the rest of the story.

Performance:

Jagapathi Babu has come across with a matured performance but it must be said that he refrains from dance and some fight poses. He was more effective in the second half than in the first.

Shraddha Das was alright and though she showed her oomph it was not that impressive. Hamsa looked sensuous and though her role was brief, she made her presence felt.

Ahuti Prasad was regular, Anandraj contributed his bit and was apt, Chalapathi Rao and Annapurna did justice to their roles, Sivaparvati was powerful, Paruchuri was effective and Krishna Bhagawan managed few laughs. The rest were alright.

The director attempted to come up with a thought provoking social message but he does not have the class to present and narrate it in the right fashion. The dialogues were somewhat okay, the script was average and the screenplay was bad. Songs found leads from hits of yesteryears and there was nothing new. Camera department was not great, editing was poor. Costumes and art department could have been better.

Current Affairs:

* Paruchuri: “Our government will not give Telugu legends’ names to any project or place. A new government is coming. That will give the names of Telugu legends” ( a satire on Congress)
* Andhra Desam Party is used as replica for Telugu Desam
* Mohan Rao’s character resembles film actor turned politician Murali Mohan who has been giving free education for hundreds of orphans.
* The words in Jagapathi Babu’s dialogues ‘Udayinche Suryudu’, ‘maarpu’ etc resemble Praja Rajyam Party of Chiranjeevi.
* A soothsayer says to heroine that she would marry a ruler. Although sounded biased, a kid questions who will be that ruler- Chiranjeevi or Advani?!!
* Progress party resembles Congress and Andhra Desam Party resembles Telugu Desam.

Analysis:

The film is basically a political stuff and it tried to bring about a strong message to the citizens and a possible awakening amongst the audience. However, such films require a tight screenplay and to the point scenes without any diversions.

The length of the movie is too much and even the pace was quite slow during the first half. It is only during the second half that the momentum is good but again the climax could have been a lot better instead of becoming melodramatic with a long list of dialogues from Jagapathi Babu despite being hit by a bullet and stabbed by a sword. The mass audience has got enough elements such as glamorous songs, fights and some dialogues but family audience will not relish it and it is definitely not for the class audience.

The film could have been lot better if it focused on condensing the length and had a tighter screenplay.

End Credits :

Starring : Jagapathi Babu, Shraddha Das, Hamsa Nandini, Neelima, Ahuti Prasad, Anand Raj, Paruchuri Gopalakrishna, Chalapathi Rao, Annapurna, Sivaparvathi, Krishna Bhagawan etc
Music: Srikanth Deva
Camera: Prasad Babu
Editor: Nandamuri Hari
Fights: Ram- Laxman
Director: V Samudra
Producer: K K Radhamohan
Release date: 24/04/2009

Labels: Ahuti Prasad, Hamsa Nandini, Jagapathi Babu, Neelima, Shraddha Das, tollywood

Posted by Raj at 3:04 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Labels: Charlie, Rishabh, Rishi, Rukmini, Tamanna, tollywood

Posted by Raj at 2:48 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Looks like Meher Ramesh could not muster courage to tell Krishnam Raju that he doesn't suit the role, so eventually it is the audience who had to go through the pain of seeing an ageing actor have thrilling moments sharing screen place with his nephew. Imagine Krishnam Raju in rolled up half sleeves, a thick mop of hair et al coaching Prabhas to punch and teaching tricks of the trade. There is more like watching him wrapped up in squeaky white towel in a sauna and then slipping away in a hood. No soul in his voice or no mobility in his role. Well those are only the slightly painful or funny moments otherwise Billa is a treat to watch. Even Namita whom Prabhas calls her once “bandadhi” gives a refreshing feel to the audiences who have been forced to see Mumait and other vamps repeatedly.

There is another indulgence, the director keeps repeating the same shots of Prabhas adjusting his blazer every now and then from the start to finish. No complaints he still looked good but what a relief watching a tall hero. Director Meher Ramesh gives new dimensions to the film, makes it look fresh and frothy while retaining the basic essence of the original and executes the screenplay with finesse. The title role of Billa suits Prabhas to the hilt and the long legged hero adds his personal style to the character and treats his fans with a dual role both as Billa, the don and Ranga, the simpleton.

Billa (Prabhas) is the most wanted criminal who works as a lieutenant to a dread mafia group that deals with weapons, drugs and ACP Krishnamurthy (Krishnam Raju) who is on deputation to nab him moves to the mafia's operational base in Malaysia. Billa is killed and the ACP who is trying to crack the drug trade chalks out a plan to infiltrate the mafia by placing Ranga from Vishakapatanam amongst them.

The ACP is shot as the film progresses and the onus is on Ranga to convince the cops of his identity. He wants to steer clear and sets out to furnish evidence to clear his name. Aiding him is Anushka whose brother Subbaraju and girlfriend Hansika have been killed and Namita the moll who is confused with Billa's look alike. Technically the film is proficient, the sets, the costumes, copters, aircrafts and locations add visual credibility and the music though purely functional has only one number “ My name is Billa” to boast about.

Jayasudha appears for a brief while as Krishnam Raju's wife. Prabhas initially is shown as a trickster who raises two orphans and leaves them with Krishnam Raju before impersonating him as Billa. Ali is Prabhas's friend. There is hardly any comedy in the movie but in a subject like this Ramesh intersperses the story with subtle humour, Prabhas is a one man army, one man show and doubles up as a comedian too. Namita is tad obese for a moll's role but makes her presence felt. Anushka has clearly worked hard on her figure and does her part as the vengeful lady.

Krishnamraju does an okay good job but looks more like a retired ACP, his presence in the film is obviously to work with nephew Prabhas but anyone with more mobility and zeal could have suited the role far better. Finally it's a stylish well made film, racy and entertaining. Prabhas looks glamorous, refreshing, does justice to both the characters and ensures the audience are glued to their seats.

End Credits :

Starring :Prabhas, Krishnam Raju, Anushka, Hansika, Namitha, Jayasudha, Supreet, Kelly Dorge, Raghu, Rehman, Ali, Subbaraju and Others.
Art: A S Prakash.
Cinematography: Soundarrajan.
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh.
Action: Stun Shiva.
Music: Mani Sharma.
Producers: Narendra & Prabodh.
Screenplay & Direction: Meher Ramesh.
Presenter: Dr. Krishnam Raju.
Banner: Gopikrishna Movies Pvt. Ltd.

Labels: anushka, Hansika, Krishnam Raju, Namitha, Prabhas, tollywood

Posted by Raj at 11:43 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Geetanjali or Gilli (Charmme) lands in her friend's flat bang opposite ‘Manorama' hotel in Hyderabada hotel. She comes on a vacation and the story takes place all on an entire day. From the window she watches the street with her binoculars and being blessed with an uncanny ability for observance she briskly understands what a few people are up to on the street and near the hotel.

One of the few people she spots is a young good looking man who sports a bag on his shoulder and is seen making a call from the telephone booth. It is revealed in the beginning of the film that he is an ISI agent and is on a mission to put the bag containing the bomb in Manorama. The timer doesn't take off as expected but the killer knows that it could blast any moment. This is the time he bumps into Gilli who is venturing in and out of Manorama repeatedly. It's understood he has taken a liking for her.

The rest of the film is about whether the bomb blasts as expected killing the people around Manorama and if Gitanajli becomes a victim or not in the revenge drama that is reminiscent of Ameer, a Rajiv Khandelwal starrer. Eshvar Reddy caters to a discerning audience and keeps the mood of the prime characters subtle. He could have kept the identity of the killer under wraps for sometime, however he succeeds in passing a message, keeps the viewers hooked to their seats despite the story turning predictable.

The film also explains why the young man is chosen to carry out the massacre, Nishaan the debutant plays the role of a distressed revenge seeking youth who loses his family to Godhra riots to perfection. Charmme looks pretty and dishes out a natural performance. The film doesn't deal with the emotions of other characters rather concentrates on the heroine's philosophical outlook and her attitude towards life and death that seems to bring a tinge of retribution and regret to the killer.

Finally the movie is neither plausible nor maintains heightening tension, it just nudges you to be careful, not to touch any bag or belonging that isn't claimed for a long time. It's just an okay movie with credible acting.

End Credits :

Starring :Charmee, Nishan, Sridhar Rao, Dhanush, Lahari, Narayana, and Others.
Art: Ashok.
Cinematography: Jagan.
Music: Koti.
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh.
Story & Dialogues: Padmasri.
Producer: Zee Motion Pictures.
Director: Eshwar Reddy.
Banner: Zee Motion Pictures

Labels: Charmee, Dhanush, Lahari, Nishan, Sridhar Rao, tollywood

Posted by Raj at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Trisha. Right from her tiny feet when she was born to her growing years, the doting father narrates and shares his experiences with Jagapati. The movie ends with the latter visiting Prakash Raj's home at the end of the walk and a line thrown in that fathers will always be fathers afraid, anxious to let go their child and daughters will no matter what assert themselves, get their way. The reconciliation part is difficult but we guess fathers have to live with it.

There are times the film begins to drag at times, comedy is subtle and Prakash Raj has a good sense of comic timing and the one liners are good too . There might be overtly expressive dads who weep when their daughters take their first step to school or to the college and the father in Prakash Raj does seem to over react in some situations. The director has taken note of minute details of a father's aversion for pre-school and a mother's over enthusiasm to see the girl becoming independent soon.

However Trisha and Prakash Raj share a perfect chemistry, Aishwarya as the mother is cool, nonchalant, her expressions are perfect and in sync with the script. Trisha as the adoring daughter shows her perplexion perfectly on her father's piquant behaviour when she talks about her boyfriend. At the same time she plays the level-headed girl always convincing her dad to relax by saying that one line, "naana please I know what I'm doing." Right choices, decisions, independence, freedom, realtionships, a breathing space to choose one's career and life partner is what the movie is all about.

The prime focus is a message to loving and possessive dads that they shouldn't cling on to their babies when they grow up, but just give them a nest to stay and wings to fly. Newcomer Ganesh exudes confidence and the four characters bring believability to their role. Music is passable and camera work is vivid and beautiful. The picturesque locations are a treat to watch. The film might not appeal to masses as the movie moves on a single thread about a father-daughter relationship but makes for a fairly decent watch for the rest as the director brings in a distinct touch to the narration.

End Credits :

Starring :Prakash Raj, Trisha, Jagapathi Babu, Aishwarya and Others.
Music: Vidya Sagar.
Producer: Dil Raju.
Director: Radha Mohan.
Banner: Sri Venkateswara Creations

Labels: Jagapathi Babu, prakash raj, tollywood, trisha

Posted by Raj at 10:43 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post