Rating: 2.25/5
Banner: Sri Satya Sai Arts
Cast: 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
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:
1. 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)
2. Andhra Desam Party is used as replica for Telugu Desam
3. Mohan Rao’s character resembles film actor turned politician Murali Mohan who has been giving free education for hundreds of orphans.
4. The words in Jagapathi Babu’s dialogues ‘Udayinche Suryudu’, ‘maarpu’ etc resemble Praja Rajyam Party of Chiranjeevi.
5. 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?!!
6. 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.
(SiraSri can be reached at [email protected])
