TAKKARI DONGA 2002

Banner: Jayant Fulcrum Cinergies
Art: Ashok Kumar
Fights: Vijayan
Photography: Jayanan Vincent
Choreographers: Saroj Khan, Prasanna, Raju Sundaram & Raja Sekhar
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh
Music: Mani Sharma
Lyrics: Chandra Bose, Vennelakanti, Kula Sekhar & Bhuvana Chandra
Story - Dialogues: Satyanand
Screenplay - Production - Direction: Jayant C Paranji
Executive Producers: Vasant C Paranji & Sumant C Paranji
Release Date: 12th January 2002

Cast:
Mahesh Babu,
Lisa Ray,
Bipasha Basu,
Rahul Dev,
Tanikella Bharani,
Raj,
Ashoka Kumar,
Ravi Chalapati and Surya

Story

Movie starts off with Shaka (Rahul Dev) killing his own brother for particular information, which is also known to another man Veeru Dada. In the encounter Veeru Dada (Ashok Kumar) jumps off into a river from a cliff.

After 18 years, we have Veeru Dada with a leg cut off giving info to Raja (Mahesh Babu), a mischievous thief who robs off the money from banks in a style. Raja gives Veeru Dada a share of 50% for all his tip offs. Raja becomes more daring as the price tag on his head increases by thousands.

There is another mischievous thief Panasa (Bipasha Basu) along with uncle follows Raju so that she can dupe him and escape with all the looted money of Raja. As the things go on a frolicking way between Panasa and Raja, the desperate Shaka is searching for Veeru Dada in all the places. Veeru Dada realizes that Shaka would kill him soon. Hence, Veeru Dada offers a big diamond to Raja and asks him to escort her daughter Bhuvana (Lisa Ray) to his brother Dharma's place.

The journey starts here. We have the couple going to a remove village on horses. Panasa and her uncle are following the lead pair. The bank managers too are desperately trying to catch Raja.

What Shaka wants from Veeru Dada? Who is Raja? What will happen to Panasa? You must watch this technically extraordinary visual and aural feast on a big screen with DTS effect.

Artists:

Mahesh Babu: Mahesh Babu suited the cowboy role very well. All the histrionics of Mahesh Babu are very stylish, yet not loud. In this film too, he proved to be the director's delight when it come to executing his part of scenes the way they have to be done. He took a great risk in few of the action scenes. On the screen, he should be complimented for the subtle, yet perfect, emoting. Off the screen, he must be commended for possessing the kind of GUTS in doing such a role of cowboy.

Lisa Ray: People might have some doubts about the Lisa Ray age etc. But the director has taken enough care to highlight all the positive aspects of Lisa Ray. She suited well as Mahesh Babu's girl. Dubbing done by the popular Savita Reddy add some more freshness and lovability to her character. She is extremely sensuous and yet innocent looking.

Bipasha Basu: Bipasha Basu did a sweet role, which is relatively short. Her dusky looks and demure performance will strike the right cords in the hearts of audiences.

Ashok Kumar: The lanky Ashok Kumar has acted as Veeru Dada. His height and the beard suited the role well.

Shaka: Rahul Dev looks very dangerous in this film. The dialogues given to him are less and it helped the movie, as his screen presence is enough to guess the trouble looming on the scenes in story.

Technical Departments:

Screenplay - Direction: Jayant has done an excellent work as director for this film. Lots of shots in this film are brilliant. You cannot find this kind of narration in any Indian films. With this film, Jayant joins the list of Ramu, Krishna Vamsi and Teja in terms of showing technical finesse in shot making. Jayant has directed soft love stories in his last four ventures. Due to that, he did not have the opportunity to play with the techniques and prove himself as the director with great-technical-shot-making ability. The entire film has a light cowboy color theme (just like the hue Aamir used for Lagaan). Screenplay of the film is sensitive and effective. But he could have considered narrating the film at a fast pace. The way he introduced each and every characters is exceptionally good. He took his time to establish all the lead characters. And then he slowly unveiled the mystery and the connection among the lead characters in a systematic way. 'Takkari Donga' is another director's special film.

Story - Dialogues: Story of the film is very simple and short. And it depends on the maturity level of audience to conceive when the story has started. The movie starts with Shaka gunning for Veeru Dada. This shot does not reveal what the connection is between Shaka and Veeru dada. The story builds there and continued till the end. The dialogues are short and scrisp, especially the ones written for Mahesh Babu.

Thrills & Action: Vijayan has done excellent job in composing fights and action scene. These fights are not loud ones like hero putting ferocious face kicking villains with a fist. All the fights are risky ones, which appears as if they are done so naturally.

Photography: The main highlight of the film is extraordinary photography. Jayanan Vincent has done one of his best works for this film. The way camera moves in the few shots and the aerial sequences shot in USA are simply mind-blowing. This film is a real treat for your eyes if you watch on 70mm screen.

Songs: All the songs in this film are very good. The introduction song is ultimate. Again, the dances are sensible and of class nature. The second best is the melodious song 'Bagundamma Bagundi'. Hey Mama song stands as the third best followed by Chukkallo Chandrude and Aleba Aleba

Music: Mani Sharma has given his best work for Takkari Donga. The music suited the sensibility and the mood of the film. The way, he used guitar for the background music is praiseworthy. Background music is extraordinary and music for songs is excellent.

Editing: Editing of the film is good. Though the film is shot in various locations in India and abroad, the editing work covers it up and shows the continuity and uniformity in the narration.

Production: Each and every penny spent on the film is visible on the screen. For the first timers, this is very efficient job. Vasant and Sumanth must be appreciated for making a risky venture like Takkari Donga!

Analysis: Takkari Donga is a sweet and sensible film. If you are the kind of a guy who whistles when hero ferociously utters a dialogue and laughs loudly when a crude joke is cracked, this is not the film for you to watch. 'Underplay' is the right word for all the key aspects of the film. The only drawback of the film is slower narration and length of the movie. A Cowboy film, which belongs to Hollywood, is made for 1 and half hours. By making a film for 2 hours and 45 minutes will have some sluggishness in the narration. Takkari Donga is a true 'pop corn entertainment' film, which you are supposed to watch in a relaxed manner in a DTS theater without having any expectations or preconceived opinions in your mind. Takkari Donga is a real class film. The commercial success of the film depends on how masses embrace this class cowboy genre film. A cowboy film in Andhra would not have become a reality in the years to come as Prema and Seema films are ruling the trend, if Mahesh-Jayant combination were not there. Kudos to these two people for taking up such a huge risk. It's hot and happening. Watch it now!