Gunde Jhallumandi (2008) Movie Review

Film: Gunde Jhallumandi
Rating: 3/5
Cast: Uday Kiran, Aditi Sharma, Ahuti Prasad, Venu Madhav, Ajay etc
Choreography: Swarna Babu, Sri Vidya
Music: MM Keeravani
Art: Nagendra
Fights: Ganesh
Editing: KV Krishna Reddy
Producer: Paruchuri Siva Rama Prasad
Story, Screenplay, Dialogue, Direction: Madan
Released On: 12th Sep 2008

Story
Neelima aka Neelu (Aditi Sarma) is a college student who wishes to keep guys away from her. She explains some childhood experience for that decision. Neelima's elder sister spoils her studies by falling in love with a guy when she was in class 10th. Hence she decides that guys come to disturb and she has to shun them. She develops a strategy for that. She projects that she is in love with a guy called Rajesh who works in a software company. With that, she sees no disturbance from guys with proposals.

But things go different when Balaraju (Uday Kiran) enters the scene. Balaraju is a villager who comes to college to do BA on a dire need. Neelu avoids him initially like she does with any other guy, but unknowingly she falls in his crush.

When the love factor is coming to culmination, the created character Rajesh comes on to screen in a wild way. How things settle then? How Balaraju wins Neelu becomes the action episode in climax.

Performances
Uday Kiran performed up to the requirement. The confidence levels shown in him are also good. But he is looking a bit plump. New actress Aditi is not so photogenic but scored well in wholesome. She has given better output as a performer. Venu Madhav comedy is just average in his comedy track. Even Dharmavarapu's presence didn't spill enough of laughs. Ajay's screen presence is impressive but the role given for him is limited.

Coming to technical departments, music sounds melodious for a couple of songs and especially the title song is catchy. Cinematography deserves good mention. Right from framing to the movement of camera, many scenes have scored good marks.

Director Madan made this attempt to attract the younger crowds. Leaving a few ups and downs, on a whole he dished out a palatable movie.

Analysis
Madan made this film after his successful movie 'Pellaina Koththalo'. He gave a message with that film but now he tried to make a film that showcases the feelings of lovers in a different way. Although he has gone over board in some scenes, they can be accepted in the purview of cinematic creativity.

First half of the movie is interesting. But second half appears to be a bit boring and the climax sounds routine with a fight and a union. The 'lovers association' is something new but sounds odd as well. Madan seems to be creating something new in his films-he created 'dampatya vratham' in similar way in his earlier film 'Pellaina Koththalo'.

On a whole it is the film that gives little relief for Uday Kiran taking him out from the hibernation of serial flops. Pellina Koththalo' didn't bag instant response from the audience but only picked up slowly. If the same magic works again, 'Gunde Jhallumandi' also may get mileage.

To sum up, the expected feel that is there in the title is not seen in the output. It's a feel good movie but not touching that great.

source: Great Andhra