Nandi Awards of the Year 2008 -- Announced

Best Film- Gamyam

Second best-Vinayakudu

Third best -Parugu

Best Hero- Ravi teja
Film: Nenithe

Best Director- Krish
Film: Gamyam

Best Heroine- Swathi
Film: Asta Chemma

Special Jury awards - Anushka- Allu Arvind

Best Music director-Micky J Mayor
Film: Kotta Bangaru Lokam

Best dialogue writer- Poori jagannath
Film: Nenithe

Best Cinematography - Chota K Naidu
Film: Kotha Bangaru Lokam

Best Family film - Asta chemma

Best Comedian-Brahmanandam
Film: Ready

Best Villain -Sonu Sood
Film: Arundhathi

Best character artist-Naresh
Film: Gamyam

Best Screenplay writer- Karunakaran
Film: Ustahanga Ullasanga

Best Entertainer Award- Ready

Best Lyric writer- Seetharama sastry
Song: Yenthavaraku
Film: Gamyam

List of Telugu Movies Released in 2008

2008 has started on dull note but is finally ending with good results. Small films like Nachchavule brought cheers to the industry and there is hope that Tollywood still can provide us some gems occasionally. Yet, this year has been a very disappointing one. Except a few movies like Gamyam, Kotta Bangaru Lokam, Vinaykudu, Ashta Chemma and Nachchavule, none of the movies (including the blockbusters) are good content wise. Not a single trend-setting movie released this year. More than the blockbusters, Telugu audiences this year suffered with pain-in-the neck movies. Here is the list of movies that gave us headaches.

Note: List is in the chronological order of release.

1. Aapada Mokkula Vaadu
(One wonders Posani really does know what direction is. There is a scene in the movie where hero Naga Babu cuts off genital of a villain and puts it in a freezer. That is the height of perversion. Such absurd scenes are aplenty in the movie).

2. Okka Magadu
(This much-hyped film not only brought bad name to director YVS but also the film’s hero Balakrishna. After the release, NBK confessed that he started the movie without hearing the script, as he blindly believed the director. Not that there are no other disasters in NBK’s career but this one takes the cake.)

3. Krishnarjuna
(On any day, we can watch Bruce Almighty any number of times than this big bore.)

4. Kathanayakudu
(This is biggest flop in Rajni’s career after disaster Baba. This film showed that P.Vasu urgently needs to bid adieu to direction!).

5. Baladoor
(Why did producer Suresh Babu make us to go through this torture? What was the director thinking when he made this film that no Telugu channel is airing '70s movies, so he wanted to offer such movie?)

6. Salute
(New director Rajashekar must have not known that a film has only one climax, not several ones. Like Buy One Get free, the movie offers two movies on one ticket.)

7. Mallepuvvu
(Perhaps this is only film that takes the credit for running only two days in the theatres. Joke is that when Bhumika went to a theatre with her gang of friends to watch the movie, audiences started shouting at Bhumika for selecting such insipid flick.)

8. Three
(This is most eccentric, absurd movie that released in 2008. Verdict: Don’t dig your own graveyard.)

9. Keka
(2008 showed that the so-called magic of Teja is finally and completely ended.)

10. Neninthe
(After Bachi and Andhrawala, Neninthe is biggest dud in Puri’s career.)

Following are also deserve to be in the list..

1) Andamaina Manasulo (It proved that music director R.P.Patnaik should stay away from acting and direction too.)
2) Nee Sukhame Ne Korutunna (TV soap operas look better than this)
3) Adi Vishnu
4) Sangamam
5) Ankith Pallavi Friends
6) Kousalya Supraja Rama
7) Deepavali
8) Dongala Bandi
9) Ek Police
10) Chedugudu.

Blockbuster of the year: Jalsa

Super hits: Krishna, Ready, Kottha Bangaaru Lokam

Hits: Parugu, Gamyam, Gorintaaku, Ullasamga.. Utsahamga.., Ashta Chemma, Sowryam, Siddhu from Sikakulam, Blade Babjee, Yuvatha, Vinayakudu, Nacchavule! (Started with good openings can be a hit)

Average: Black and White, Hare Ram, Kalidasu, Bommana Brothers-Chandana Sisters, Bathukamma, Homam, Chintakayala Ravi,Kantri


Hero of the year: Allari Naresh

Box-office star: Pawan Kalyan ( Jalsa)

Director of the year: Sreenu Vaitla


List Of the Movies Released in 2008

1. King
2. Naa Anevaadu
3. Nachavule
4. Neninthe
5. Chedugudu
6. Dongala Bandi
7. Raana
8. City Life
9. Andamaina Abaddam
10. Indrajith
11. Kshudra
12. Myaav
13. Kuberulu
14. Ek Police
15. Deepavali
16. Devarakonda Veeraiah
17. Vinayakudu
18. Terror
19. Sri Medaram Sammakka Sarakka Mahatyam
20. Ankusham
21. Avakai Biryani
22. Surya S/O Krishnan
23. Jabilamma
24. EkaLOVEyudu
25. Vijay IPS
26. Yuvatha
27. Blade Babji
28. Hero
29. Kasipatnam Chudarababu
30. Keka
31. Three
32. Nenu Meeku Telusa
33. Kottha Bangaru Lokam
34. Kausalya Supraja Rama
35. Ninna Nedu Repu
36. Chintakayala Ravi
37. Rainbow
38. Friends Colony
39. Naa Intlo Oka Roju
40. Souryam
41. Raksha
42. Mallepuvvu
43. Gunde Jhallumandi
44. Call Center
45. Ashta Chamma
46. Ankit, Pallavi & friends
47. Saroja
48. Homam
49. Black and White
50. Aadivishnu
51. Siddhu From Sikakulam
52. Salute
53. Baladoor
54. Cell
55. Gajibiji
56. Aalayam
57. Kathanayakudu
58. Ullasamgaa Utsahamgaa
59. Maa Aayana Chanti Pilladu
60. Krushi
61. Hare Ram
62. Brahmanandam Drama Company
63. Sangamam
64. Kurkure
65. Gorintaku
66. Konchem Kottaga
67. Victory
68. Ready
69. Dasavatharam
70. Adhyakshaa
71. Somberi
72. Pandurangadu
73. Pardhu
74. Bujjigadu
75. Kantri
76. Parugu
77. Bathukamma
78. Donga Sachinollu
79. Michael Madana Kamaraju
80. Bommana Brothers Chandana Sisters
81. Gadi No.305 lo Devudu
82. Kalidasu
83. Bhale Dongalu
84. Tinnama Padukunnama Tellarinda
85. Sawaal
86. Jalsa
87. Abbo Aadavallu
88. Aatadista
89. John Appa Rao 40 Plus
90. Premabhishekam
91. Bhadradri
92. Nagaram
93. Premabandham
94. Gamyam
95. Lakshmi Putrudu
96. Mangathaayaru Tifin Centre
97. Pelli Kani Prasad
98. Idi Sangathi
99. Nee Sukhame Ne Koruthunna
100. Buddha
101. Ontari
102. Andamaina Manasulo
103. Veedu Maamulodu Kaadu
104. Sundarakanda
105. Vishakha Express
106. Krishnarjuna
107. Mr Medhavi
108. Highway
109. Swagatham
110. Vaana
111. Pourudu
112. Krishna
113. Okka Magaadu
114. Apadamokkulavadu
115. Valentine
116. Dhyeyam

Source: TeluguCinema.com

Nagarjuna's KING Review : By Greatandhra.com

Film: King
Rating: 3.25/5
Banner: Kamakshi Kala Movies
Cast: Nagarjuna, Trisha, Mamta Mohandas, Srihari, Brahmanandam, Jayaprakash Reddy, Arjan Bajwa, Sayaji Shinde, Krishna Bhagawan, Geetha, Dharmavarapu, Chandramohan etc
Music: Devisri Prasad
Story: Kona Venkat, Gopi Mohan
Art: AS Prakash
Editing: MR Varma
Cinematography: Prasad Moorella
Screenplay,Direction: Srinu Vaitla
Producer: Sivaprasad Reddy
Release date: 25th Dec 2008

The last big movie of the year 2008 arrived today. The expectations have been big on this film for several reasons. The most vital factor that boosted up expectations is the direction by Srinu Vaitla who made big hit 'Ready' this year. Let us see how far the film reached expectations.

Story:
King alias Chandra Pratap Varma (Nag) is the son of Raja Varma (Sobhan Babu). He becomes the heir of a large estate fatre the death of his father, where his uncles and aunts also live with him along with mother (Geeta). King faces a peril in the form of Swapna (Mamata Mohandas). That stands up to be a suspense element in the narration. Who is Swapna and why she becomes a danger point for King? What happens to King?

On the other hand Sravani (Trisha), an aspiring singer catches the eye of a guy whose name is Bottu Seenu (Nag), a goonda. What's the link between Bottu Seenu and King? That forms another layer in the film.

And last but not least, Sravani falls in love with a software engineer Sridhar (Nagarjuna). Is there any link between Sridhar, Bottu Seenu and King other than the similarities in looks? That's another layer all together.

'Gnan anna' aka Gnaneshwar (Srihari) portrayed the role of Sravani's brother.

Rest to be watched on screen to unleash this knot.

Performances:
Nagarjuna's magnitude is seen fully on silver screen. His grace pulled the attention of entire audiences. It sounds a wonder to know he is 50 now. There are no signs of that age on his face or body and he is looking 20 years younger to what actually the time claims. His performance in three different shades is hilarious and entertaining. He left his starry airs aside and performed up to the role as demanded (like getting bruises from Brahmanandam). That should inspire many younger heroes as well. And coming to dances, he has performed in his trade mark style.

Trisha is with full of elegance and the credit should be given to costume designer and cinematographer. She hasn't exposed anything big but touched the senses of audiences.

Mamata Mohandas looked voluptuous and witch-like as per the demand of the role. She once again proved her mettle as complete artiste with own voice for dubbing.

And coming to the most publicized eight-heroine song, except Genelia everybody looked hot (Anushka), romantic (Trisha), lovely (Priyamani), refined (Kamna), sexy (Mamata Mohandas), spicy (Sneha Ullal) and chubby (Charmy). The costumes used for Genelia are inferior when compared to others in that song. That made the difference.


Brahmanandam once again tickled the audiences with his role as music director Jaya Surya. He has been the vital factor in Srinu Vaitla's films since 'Dhee'.

Master Bharat also brought laughs with his role but that is not in the length of his role in 'Ready'. He justified in a small role in this film.

Jayaprakash Reddy also made his presence well with his Rayalseema style of dialogues. Sayaji Shinde and Krishna Bhagawan also portrayed in their trade mark style on negative side.

Sri Hari deserves very good mention in this flick. He worked really well as supporting artiste. He portrayed action and comedy in right doses. His hilarious role will be remembered as Painter Gnaneshwar for sure.

Coming to technical aspects, cinematography by Moorella Prasad is fantastic. The costume designer also deserves great mention. And the story writers Kona Venkat and Gopi Mohan once again grooved in their names for the characters of Sayaji Shinde and Krishna Bhagawan, like they did with their earlier films.

All in all, this Srinu Vaitla's show although inspired from different films (Chandramukhi, Chandralekha, Shankaradada Zindabad etc….), stands to be unique and a wholesome family entertainer.

Analysis:
The movie takes different twists and turns but no where strains the audiences. A laugh is promised at every 10 minutes on an average. Although the length of the movie seems to be long in second half, audiences don't get bored. Even the songs made the audiences sit in theaters by the blend of their right music and interesting choreography as well as costumes.

First half runs with ample humor while second half too does the same with added comedy.


Many films start rolling on mind's screen while watching this flick and that should be understood as parody-like inspiration by the director.

Interesting Comedy Tracks:
Srihari's painting episodes
Brahmanandam-Trisha casting couch
TV Show with Brahmanandam
Nagarjuna's Chandralekha and Chandramukhi parody

Best Scenes:
Bullet scene (although inspired from Hollywood flick 'Wanted')
Action sequences

It's a wholesome entertainer from Srinu Vaitla but here is one suggestion for him. He should change the style by not incorporating similar elements like that of his 'Ready' and 'Dhee'. There is risk as people may get bored watching similar comedy tracks again and again. The movie undoubtedly appeals for masses and entertains families.

Ravi Babu's Nachavule (2008) Review

Film: Nachchaavule
Rating: 3/5
Cast: Tanish, Madhavi Latha, Kasi Vishwanath, Raksha, Narasimha, Naveen, Kamesh etc
PRO: Venu Gopal
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh
Dialogue: Ravi Babu
Action: Kanal Kannan
Art: Narayana Reddy
Lyrics: Bhaskarabhatla
Choreography: Nixon
Camera: Sudhakar Reddy
Music: Sekhar Chandra
Screenplay: Satyanand
Producer: Ramoji Rao
Director: Ravi Babu
Released On: 19 Dec 2008

The film 'Nachchaavule' turned heads with posters. Two monkeys and two puppets have promoted the movie from posters and the crowds have turned up in good number. That's a rare promotion stunt and is the film in tune with anticipation. Let us go into details.

Story:

The story starts with the narration of a young man without his face on screen. Lavkumar (Tanish) wishes to have girl friend since his childhood. His love for girl friends grows big as he grows older. But he finds no right girl.

In the process he happens to meet a girl Anu (Madhavi Latha) and some dramatic sequences develops friendship between them. Lavkumar asks Anu to be his girl friend and the latter agrees with some conditions. But the girl herself breaks the conditions and falls into deep love with the boy. How things turn from there.

How Lavkumar changes after friendship with Anu? Who is right and who is wrong? How the relation affects them and how that culminates in climax has to be watched on screen.

Performances:

New actors Tanish and Madhavi Latha did well in their roles. Madhavi Latha has got sharpness in features as well as in performance. She may shine well if given opportunities. Tanish is good and he gave out reasonable performance in first attempt. He acted well in pathos scenes as well.

Narasimha as hero's friend got reasonable role in first half. Kasi Vishwanath, who acted as hero's father portrayed a levelheaded role. Raksha was seen in a middle class mother's role. Kamesh is ok in the role of heroine's father. Naveen, the guy who acted as villain is ok.

Coming to technical departments and other faculties Bhaskarabhatla's first song 'Pavu thakkuva thommidi…' is enjoyed by masses and youth. Music is reasonable but not outstanding and haunting. Screenplay is rational and appears to have done with attention to detail.

Director Ravi Babu gave a balanced film this time. He has been showing his abilities in handing all sorts of genres. Initially he entered with rocking comedy films like 'Allari' and gave a twist with horror flick 'Anasuya' and now a pathos entertainer 'Nachchavule'.

Analysis:

Ravi Babu made a sincere attempt to bring awareness for youngsters and parents regarding the conditions prevailing in society in the name of 'social moving' and 'boy friend culture'. He has shown his brilliance in narration and sensibility in dialogue writing. First half runs with good pace while second half appears little heavier with sentiment and emotion. But still the second half holds right grip. The climax would have concluded on the hospital stretcher itself. Concluding the movie with a general 'cool climax' without any tragic affect has diluted the purpose to some extent. The impact would have been better had there been some tragic feel at the end for this flick.

The negative impact of boy friend- girl friend culture, misuse of cell phone cameras among youth, irresponsible nature of youngsters are aptly taken on to celluloid by the director. He has tried to teach a moral lesson indirectly which is indeed a need for today's society. Within in the narration he has also shown how a husband should love his wife and how a young man should be responsible towards his family as well as the tender feelings of the people those love him.

The title, promotion and the content are sensible and in tune with contemporary time.

Source: Great Andhra

Rana (2008) Telugu Movie Review

Film: RANA

Rating: 3/5

Banner: Therkathi Kalai Koodam
Cast: Arjun, Nana Patekar, Kajal Agarwal, Vivek, Manivannan, Rukmini Vijayakumar,
Music: Himesh Reshammiya
Cinematography: B Kannan

Director: Bharathiraja

Producer: Paul Pandiyan and Raj T Rajan

Release date: December 12, 2008

Story:

An interesting tale, the story begins with the backdrop of the film industry where the noted director Rana(Nana) who is bestowed with scores of awards in the national and international level is a rather moody and eccentric person. Everyone in the unit is aware of his tempers so they keep their best to be on the safe side. Given his tantrums and bouts of temper, things change with the arrival of a new face and who is given the name of Trishna (Rukmini). Unusually, Rana gets quite close to her and would not entertain anyone to get close to her. The unit members are perplexed by this sudden affection and calmness towards Trishna and as expected, gossips run around the two. Meanwhile, those who try to get close to Trishna are being brutally murdered and things go out of hand with the number of victims increasing. In comes CBI officer Vivek (Arjun) who has a strong suspicion towards Rana and he begins his investigation. Much to his annoyance, his lady love Anita (Kajal) is all support for Rana and portrays his poetic brilliance and vouches that he cannot be the killer. However, the suspicions are on and Vivek is keen on nabbing the culprits. Is he successful in this? Is Rana one among the killers? All this forms the rest of the story.

Presentation:

The director has come out with an interesting plot and given the subject he has woven it with equally good narration and presentation. The script was written well and the screenplay was equally competent. Music has been a total letdown barring a song but the camerawork was brilliant. Editing could have better especially the songs were put in unexpected times. The locations were good and the costumes for Arjun and Kajal have been quite stylish. The pace of the movie was also okay. Arjun fitted well in the role of an investigating officer and this time there is not much of punching and kicking for him. Kajal was her bubbly self and had enough beauty and sex appeal to give visual feast, Rukmini could have been better since she was the focus of the story and the pressure was eased off with some comedy by Vivek and Manivannan. The real show stealer was Nana Patekar who was perfect to the hilt but then his dubbing could have been given to someone more intense. Overall, the acting department was fine.

Conclusion:

The film has come out with an interestingly woven tale of chilling murders and the exact eccentricities of few brilliant individuals in the film industry. While the first half goes about on the building up of the plot, the second half is engrossing only to give a jolt during the climax. The only drawback to this was the inclusion of songs at unwanted places that disturbed the intensity of the story. Technically and commercially, the film has it all but then there are few loose ends here and there which resulted in some bumps. The film will surely make its money.

Allari Naresh's Dongala Bandi (2008) Movie Review

Film: Dongala Bandi
Rating: 1/5
Cast: Alari Naresh, Tanya, Pooja Bharathi, Kovai Sarala, Venu Madhav, Ali, MS Narayana, Dr Daggubati Ashok Kumar, Jaya Prakash Reddy, Master Bharat, Brahmanandam, Sudarshan, Jeeva, Rao Ramesh, Suman Shetty, Chitram Seenu etc
Art: Ramana
Music: Valloori Rajasekhar
Cinematography: Arun Kumar
Producer: GSK Naidu
Director: Satish Vegesna
Released On: 12th Dec 2008

This is the film that pumped in some expectations among audiences as there are many comedians. And Allari Naresh has tickled with laughs in his recent 'Blade Babji'. Hence the expectations have risen further. How far the expectations are reached? Let us peep into the details

Story:

A boring story, the tale begins with the backdrop of the Nizam era and there is a treasure that has been hidden by three thieves one among them is Okka Magadu (MS) during the Indian government takeover and the map is torn into three parts. The scene changes to the current day when two thief families one headed by Okka Magadu and the other headed by another conwoman (Kovai Sarala). Apparently, Krishna (Naresh) is the grandson of Okka Magadu and Aishwarya (Tanya) is the granddaughter of one of the thieves. Fate brings them together and they are on the lookout for the third part when Don (Venumadhav) enters the scene. He is the grandson of the third thief and even he gets to meet the other two parties through chance. What follows from there is the journey towards the treasure and whether they are successful or not forms the rest of the story.

Performance:

Allari Naresh has come up with a power packed performance but then his character has not been etched that well. He was excellent in his dance and the comedy was good. He imitated Pawan Kalyan, Prabhas, Balakrishna and Sai Kumar in a scene and spilled laughs.

Tanya has got some real good oomph and she does not have grace while dancing. Malishka is hot!! Venu Madhav was okay, Jeeva was normal, Ali was ineffective, Chitram Sreenu was nominal, Kondavalasa and Sumanth were mechanical.

The others hardly had any presence.

The director has come out with an interesting plot but then his narrative was a major disaster. The presentation was alright with some real good locations and the camera captured them elegantly. The dialogues could have been better, the script was quite weak and the screenplay was stale. Editing could have been better especially in the second half. Music was okay and there are a couple of songs worth taking home. The other departments were just about average in their contribution.

Analysis:

This is a very boring flick made in recent times. Although there are many comedians in the film, none could bring in any laugh. Only Allari Naresh could spill a few laughs that too in first half during his introduction. 'Dongala Bandi' gives an experience of crushing under its wheels. The caption of the film reads 'No Logic-Only Fun'. But the fun is also missing in this flick and second half bombed the entire film mercilessly.

The film took off very well during the first half and the imitation of 'Dhoom' and the following comedy was good but then it took a complete U turn during the second half.

It was obvious that the maker was just trying to fill the time slot so as to complete the required two hour mark. The comedy track was not at all convincing despite the presence of some of the finest comedians. Even the sex appeal of Malishka was not used rightly and she was just sidelined. The film could have been a lot better if the script was written intelligently and though there were sparks of brilliance and creativity at few points, overall the film fails to impress the audience.

The happenings of the first half raise expectations but the eventual happenings and the poor climax make way for a disaster. This will surely go down as a black one for Allari Naresh.

Source: Great Andhra

Kuberulu (2008) Movie Review

Cast:
Ali, Sivaji, Krishna Bhagwan, Farzana, Hema, Apoorva, Kinnera, Ranjitha, Kondavalasa, AVS, Raghu Babu, Kousha, Suman Setty, Shakuntala, Duvvasi Mohan etc
Story: Siva-Suresh

Rating: 2/5

Crew:
Dialogues: Dasari Brahmam
Cinematography: Ram Pinisetty
Producers: Karuturi Srinivas, Yaganti Srinivas
Screenplay-Direction: Srinivas Reddy

Kuberulu from Srinivasa Reddy is a disappointment particularly after his Bommana Brothers Chandana Sisters and Yamagola Mallee Modalayyindi. The director is known for minimum guaranty of returns. Kuberulu tag line Vallaki Annee Appule may well reflect on the producers of the film.

The Synopsis

Yarlagadda Siva Ram (Sivaji) is young man and an ardent fan of the chief minister. Even the abbreviation of his name is YSR. He has political ambitions and wants to become the panchayat president of his village. His friend Babu (Ali) happens to be a fan of N Chandrababu Naidu.
Siva Ram borrows money left, centre and right in the village to contest elections. He loses the polls to his rival (Chalapathi Rao). Unable to repay the loans, he goes to Hyderabad to make money somehow. His friend Babu also joins him.
They meet their friend Ram Babu (Krishna Bhagawan) with great difficulty. But Ram Babu is after a gang who stole Nizam’s jewelry. Sivaram and Babu under the leadership of Rambabu make attempts to get the treasure which has been concealed by the looters and get rich.
The rest of the story deals with whether these three succeed in their attempt.

The Performance

Sivaji’s imitation of Dr YS rajasekhar Reddy and Ali’s mimicry of Nara Chandrababu Naidu falls flat in the first half. They have nothing much to do in the second half by way of comic antics. Krishna Bhagawan also fails to evoke any laughter.

Kondavalasa, AVS, Raghu Babu and Suman Setty too could not bring any laughs by their episodes. Farzana is just a glamour prop. Hema, Apoorva, Kinnera and Ranjitha just go through the motions.

The Techniques

The story is the weakest link. The village politics do no lend any credence to what the protagonists do later, going on a leisurely treasure hunt. For any character to be credible, the actions of the character should be justified by convincing incidents with sufficient reasons for motivation.

Even a ribald comedy has to have convincing characters. Srinivasa Reddy has taken a weak plot and diluted it much further by lackluster screenplay.

The cinematography, audiography and editing is good, but of what use when they try to capture an insipid storyline with unimaginative incidents and contrived situations.

Verdict: Kuberulu is just an average fare which brings in more fatigue than any rib-ticklers.

Ek Police (2008) Review

Film: Ek Police
Rating: 1.75/5
Banner: NH Rushya Productions
Cast: Naga Babu, Lakshana, Gayatri, Dheeraj etc
Editing: Nandamuri Hari
Producers: Bhaskar Reddy, Krishna Prasad
Director: Kodi Rama Krishna
Released On: 28th Nov 2008

It's another product from Kodi Rama Krishna who again proved that he lost grip in making a film for contemporary audience although the subject seems not to be out dated.

Story:
Satya Murthy (Prithvi) is a lecturer who gets killed in the ands of two goondas. The goondas possess the support of politicians both from ruling and opposition parties. A group of 5 students (Dheeraj and Co and 'Happy Days' fame Gayatri) witness that brutal murder and report to police. ACP Jaya Chandra (Naga Babu) comes as a newly appointed officer in that place. Aruna (Lakshana), another lecturer in the college happens to witnesses the murder of Satya Murthy. But the behavior of ACP Jaya Chandra appears different. He joins hands with goondas and enjoys drinks with them. He also kidnaps Madhuri (Gayatri) just before the actual motive of Jaya Chandra is revealed. Finally how ACP Jaya Chandra gives a solution for better society forms the crux of the movie.

Performances:
The movie turned watchable just because of Naga Babu. No other actor in the movie could pull the attention of audiences. Lakshana is plump but proves to be an apt choice beside Naga Babu. 'Happy Days' Gayatri appears to have taken up this role as she felt desperate. She might have considered the names of Kodi Rama Krishna and Naga Babu and Okayed for this movie. There is no substantial role for her to play. If she continues taking up such roles in this sort of movies, she would be branded as the actress for B grade stuff. Care should be taken by her from now onwards. New actor Dheeraj couldn't make any impact as the character is not projected well. On a whole it's a Naga Bbau's movie. That's all.

Jothi Rana, the lady villain in 'Pokiri' appeared in an item song. The villains are worst as performers and Kodi has failed completely in picking up right faces.

Coming to technical departments, music proves better than any other faculty. Production values are ok and direction proves below average.

Analysis:
It's a movie taken to project political leaders as goondas and people as victims for that. But that hasn't projected in sensible way. The solution shown in the movie is also nothing new and great.

On a whole it turned a mere 'good police vs crooked politicians' fight. Both first half and second half are loosely tangled where the audiences feel boredom many times. It's better than 'Apada Mokkulavaadu' and that's what anyone can say. But certainly it's not a well made film. Kodi Rama Krishna needs to work on how to make a film that entertains and appeals for present day audiences.

The movie need not expect any big laurels at box office. As the budget incurred on it is meager, it may even fall on right side of business.

source: greatandhra

Vinayakudu Movie Review

Film: Vinayakudu
Rating: 3/5
Banner: Prem Movies
Cast: Krishnudu, Sonia, Surya Teja, Poonam Kour, Ankitha etc
Cinematography: PG Vinda
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh
Music: Sam Prasan
Producer: Sarita Patra
Story, Screenplay, Dialogue and Direction: Sai Kiran Adivi
Released On: 22nd November 2008

There is a mythological story of dwarf god Lord Vinayaka who impresses his parents with his down to earth nature and love to win the position of 'ganadhipatyam'. Here the title 'Vinayakudu' is apt as the obese hero impresses his beautiful lover and wins her heart.

Story:

Karthik (Krishnudu), the obese guy joins in an ad designing company. Girls tend to keep him away from them due to his odd personality. He finds a girl Kalpana (Sonia) interesting in that company. She too shuns him initially and also cracks lots of jokes on his physical appearance. But the soft hearted Karthik wins the heart of arrogant Kalpana with his immaculate attitude. Finally, the egoistic Kalpana falls in love with Karthik unknowingly. On the other hand, the love track of Sandhya (Poonam) and Altaf (Surya Tej) runs separately. Shalini (Ankitha) is a character that's used as catalyst to elevate the character of Karthik.
Performances:

Krishnudu simply excelled in his role as fat Karthik. His Godavari slang has got its originality and ease. All together his performance itself is under played and aptly fitting. He has justified as a crooked egoistic senior student in 'Happy Days' and here in 'Vinayakudu' he pulled sympathy for his character from the audiences.

Sonia looked normal but her magnetism is known for many. She has a lengthy and meaningful role to play in this film as a girl with huge self respect and personal feelings. Well, she proved that her 'noodle like' hair is her trade mark.

Poonam Kour played a naughty urban girl's role. She looked slim and glamorous. Her role is not that substantial in the film and she cannot be called a second-heroine. She is only a friend of heroine.

Cinematographer PG Vinda (as doctor) and Miss Andhra Poonam Kour's mother (as the mother of Sonia's fiancé) have appeared in guest roles.

Technically the movie got enough boost and there is nothing to point mistake. In a couple of scenes the editing cuts appeared to have jumped. It's a director's movie on a whole where he has rightly handled the departments of dialogues and screenplay as well.

Analysis:

It' a well written, well handled and in one line to say' a well made movie'. The tempo appears to be slow but the screenplay is touching. The 'feel good' appeal is not missed either in first half or second half. Comedy is intertwined with the main story and that breathes a fresh feel.

The characters and characterizations in the movie appeal for youngsters, the content in the movie appeals for all age groups from kids to old lot. Director Sai Kiran Adivi deserves appreciation on a whole, although committed tiny flaw. Viz., the motive of the director is to show that main lead Karthik as obese by hereditary. That's not established fully as it has contradicted with the scenes where he was shown a glutton. Ignoring such logics beside, the film gives a pleasant, hilarious, sentimental and touching experience.

The film appealed well for mass audiences as well for the humorous content glued in the movie.

Surya s/o Krishnan (2008) Telugu Movie Review

Film: Surya S/o Krishnan
Rating: 2.25/5
Cast: Surya, Simran, Sameera Reddy, Divya Spandana, Deepa Vasudevan, Prithvi Raj etc
Fights: Super Subbarayan
Art: Rajeevan
Editing: Anthony
Cinematography: Rathnavelu
Music: Harris Jayaraj
Lyrics: Veturi
Producer: Aascar Ravichandran
Director: Goutham Menon
Released On: 14th Nov 2008

This movie proves to be an attempt to unearth the greatest actor in Surya. And let us see how the attempt carried.

Story:
The movie starts with Major Surya (Surya) listening to a bad news that his father expired when he is on a rescue operation. He closes his eyes and touches his memories with father. The story begins from his father Krishnan (Surya)'s young age, his romance with Malini (Simran) as told by her….how they got married and how they used to love him…and how he has gone mad looking at a girl Meghna (Sameera). He recalls all the fine moments where he took help and moral support from his Dad. And the entire saga goes as flash back which leaves a nostalgic experience for many viewers.

Performances:
Surya has shown his great abilities in this film. He has almost touched the élan of Kamal Hasan in portraying varied roles with varied styles and body language. The way he walks as Krishnan, the way he walks as Major Surya and the way he walks as a lover…he seems to have mastered to every inch and every millimeter.

Sameera Reddy is just ok and in many frames she looked older than Surya. Divya is fresh and beautiful. Simran has aptly suited in middle age role and also managed well as teenager in flash back theme.

Others are ok. Prithvi has got tiny role as a criminal and couldn't able to give the necessary cruel impact.

Cinematography, editing, choreography and every technical aspect deserves good mention. Art department also marveled well especially while depicting the times of 60s and 70s.

Goutham Menon did another feat now with his great abilities. He proved to be a director of separate 'class'. And that is for 'class audiences' here.

Analysis:
It's a wonderfully made movie exclusively for class and matured audiences. It would be a stern 'no no' for masses. The length of the movie is about 3 hours and that squeezes out the energy levels of mere entertainment and humor lovers. 'Surya S/o Krishnana' is a movie made with feel. It's a movie of experiences and more over it is a story of father-son emotion. Surya acted in dual role as father and son to talk in macro level. But when seen in micro terms he has played many roles.

1. A dying old man
2. A loving father
3. A teenager
4. A student
5. A lover
6. A love-lost mourner
7. A drug addict
8. A savior
9. A military officer

That way he played 'Nava-avataram' in this flick. He had literally shown the differences that way. The hard work done by him is clearly evident and the credit goes to him and director Goutham Menon too. The perfectionist angles of the director are clearly evident in the movie. His ability of conceiving a scene and framing it with attention to time and detail are marvelous.

The movie appeals for multiplex audiences. It may give a 'feel-good' appeal at the end provided the audiences prepare to watch the movie for 3 long hours. It's artistically made film on a rich canvass. It's a Surya's movie all together. It has depicted his acting prowess. Commercially, the movie may not work out.

source: greatandhra

Nikhil's YUVATHA Telugu Movie Review

Film: Yuvatha

Rating: 3/5

Banner: Worth Watch Entertainments

Cast: Nikhil, Aksha, Ranadheer, Monali, Shayaji Shinde, Jaya Prakash Reddy, Jeeva, Narsing Yadav, Subhash, Narasimha, Karuna etc and in guest roles-Siddhartha and Krishnudu

Camera: Jaswant

Music: Mani Sharma

Fights: Ram-Laxman

Lyrics: Krishna Chaitanya

Art: Narayana Reddy

Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh

Producers: Hari, Uma Prakash

Story, Screenplay, Dialogue, Direction: Parasuram (Bujji)

Released On: 7th November 2008

It's a change over from typical college stories although we see a set of four young guys and two girls. Mass flavor is pervaded in this movie all together. Let us peep a little more into the details.

Story:

Babu (Nikhil) is an easy going irresponsible guy from a village called Kesavaram. He develops strife with his uncle and lands in Hyderabad to stay along with his 3 close friends. While one works in a software company, the other works as a security guard and the third one aspires to become a film director.

Babu stays with them and happens to meet a girl called Baby (Aksha), a medico, in a dramatic sequence. It goes without saying that Babu and Baby fall in love. On the other hand the owner's daughter (Monali) falls in love with the software guy in this friend's batch.

In an unforeseen situation the guy who dreams to become a director gets hospitalized. To save their friend from peril, the three friends attempt a bank robbery. They will be caught red handed and the situation turns different turn all together. What happens from then was made in the humorous way possible.

Performances:

It has almost become a trend to sound the dialogues in Godavari slang these days. With that Nikhil's diction came close to that of Ravi Teja. Earlier in 'Ankith Pallavi and Friends' he appeared to have taken inspiration from Pawan Kalyan in some scenes. But now Ravi Teja appears to have inspired him hiding the originality. Yet, it's entertaining and didn't obstruct the flow.

New girl Aksha is ok but appeared to be older than Nikhil with wide face. She is ok with the performance that she delivered.

Ranadheer is ok but would have performed better in sentimental scenes. Monali has no big role to play but she too sufficed the requirement.

Dialogues and screenplay maintained the tempo better. The dialogue 'Aalochinchi cheyyadaaniki idi vyaaparam kaadu - Friendship' received good response in theaters. Music is average and the director would have extracted more from Mani Sharma. The first song 'Naake Istam' appeals masses while the rest are appealing for youth.

On a whole, it can be termed as an above average narration by the director. Had he worked better on some technical aspects, the film would have elevated better.

Analysis:

It is an attempt to project Nikhil in mass appealing role. There is a consistent transformation in Nikhil's movies from 'Happy Days' to 'Yuvatha'. Although the title and the posters sounded to be a college oriented flick, there are more mass elements in it than anything else. The screenplay is good but the director would have worked a bit more in some scenes where there needs more energy.

Keeping those technical aspects aside, the film appeals for mass audiences and the humor element also worked considerably well. On a whole it can be termed as an above average execution.

Although friendship element is attempted to be a highlight in the movie, the narration goes on the platforms of crime and action.

It's a movie for masses and those who can get entertained along with them. It's an entertained carved with in the 'set formula'.

Uday Kiran's EKALOVEYUDU Movie Review - Different Cocept but Poor Presentation

Film: EKALOVEYUDU

Rating: 2/5
Banner: Sri Venkataramana Films

Cast: Uday Kiran, Krithi, Bob Antony, Chitram Srinu, Chalapathi Rao, Vijay, Sudha, Ahuti Prasad, Dharmavarapu,Narsing and others

Music: Anil Krishna
Cinematography: Ramesh Krishna

Director: K R K

Producer: Medikonda Amarchand Release date: November 07, 2008

Story:

A different love tale, the story begins with Karthik (Uday) who is about to commit suicide after getting blasted by his father (Chalapathi Rao) but then he turns up at home the next day with loads of cash. Karthik says that he got a job overseas but goes to Ooty and stays with his friends (Sreenu and Vijay). The story takes a new turn there as the entire town is after Indu (Kruthi) who does not love anyone. Karthik becomes the cupid for his friend since he likes her but then his nature, attitude and other aspects attract Indu more towards him and in no time she confesses her feelings to him. In the meantime, even Karthik starts feeling the same but then he turns her proposal down. Indu is heartbroken and returns to Hyderabad and when his friends ask him, Karthik reveals a flashback and according to that he enters into an agreement with Bhakta (Bob Antony) which makes him give his life whenever Bhakta wants it. In return, Karthik gets all the money to take care of his family and clear all problems. However, love takes over him and he comes to Hyderabad in search of Indu and finally meets her. What happens to his agreement with Bhakta? What is the suspense in the tale. Watch the film to get more.

Presentation:

The director has come up with an interesting plot and though the narrative was a bit weak, the presentation part was good. Dialogues were of standard, the songs were really melodious, camera could have been better given the locations, editing was fine. The script in a way was written well at few points and then it came down at few points. But the screenplay made up for any flaws. The other departments contributed in the best way possible. Uday Kiran has come up with a standard performance and though that strained expressions are still seen in him, he has improvised them now. Krithi looks cute and her dance moves are good, she has to work more on her emotional scenes though. Chitram Sreenu was hilarious along with Vijay, Ahuti Prasad was not utilized properly, the comeback of Bob Antony was a good feeling and he really looked elegant with his presence. Dharmavarapu did justice to his role and the others like Chalapati Rao, Sudha etc contributed as per requirement.

Conclusion:

The concept of an agreement with life is something new and the twists and suspense involved is also interesting, however the first half of the movie took off on a rather light note with not much for the audience to connect. It is before the interval and the second half onwards that the real fever sets in and takes it to a decent climax without much confusion. The film will appeal a lot to the Uday Kiran fans and this is a different approach overall. The subject was interesting and if the execution was done in a more crisp and streamlined fashion, the film will no doubt get a success.

Source: Bharatstudent

Sekhar Suri's THREE Telugu Movie Review

Film: Three
Rating: 1.5/5
Banner: Raj (India) Entertainments
Cast: Rajeev Kanakala, Rishi, Urvasi Sharma, Harshavardhan, Santhi Chandra, Vijayachander, Ranganath, Banerjee, Ravali and others
Music: Vijay Kurakula
Fights: Ram Lakshman
Cinematography: Senthil Kumar
Director: Shekkhar Suri
Producers: Phani Raj and G S Babu
Release date: 17/10/2008

Story

Sri Ram (Rishi) is a program maker in National Geographic Channel and he happens to meet Nisha (Urvashi Sharma), a girl who stays in a row house next to him. Nisha suffers from schizophrenia-related syndrome and listens to some eerie voice in the name of Shankar who threatens her to kill. Sri Ram introduces her to a psychiatrist Harsha (Harshavardhan) who attempts to help her to understand her problem. In the process of quest for Shankar, they realize that some past birth link is associated with the eerie voice ringing in her ears. Who is Shankar? What is the past birth link and how destiny drives Sri Ram and Harsha in their mission becomes the rest of the story.

Performances

Rishi appeared with multiple tattoos on his hands. Rajeev Kanakala's image didn't help his role to bring fear factor. Harshavardhan is the best among all who spilled some laughs and entertained in first half. Urvashi Sharma is enough to fit in a role like this. Benerjee appeared in a guest role and played in routine fashion.

Coming to technical aspects, Vijay Kurakula gave good music but failed to assess the right time to give right score. His music has eaten away the clarity in dialogues many times. Cinematography by Senthil Kumar is at its best. The balloon light method is also worked well to match the horror factor. Editing is ok. Dialogues by Harshavardhan are apt and adequate. Director Sekkhar Suri wasted big time in narrating nothing and used very less time in second half to explain 'regression', which is necessary to make audience understand.

The interesting aspect in the movie is the rolling titles in the end that's thought provoking to some extent-showing the past life photographs of celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, George Bush and Shahrukh Khan picked up from the book 'Born Again'.

Analysis

The readers of the works like 'Many Lives Many Masters', 'Same Soul Many Bodies' and 'Messages From Masters' by Brian E Weiss, Many Mansions of Cereminara, Born Again and Edgar Cayce literature can get connected to this subject, especially the stuff in second half. Otherwise, the concept of 'regression therapy' sounds weird and unconvincing. And it is true that the people those are acquainted with this subject and books will not relish 'Three' as the conviction in second half proves feeble. The concept of 'regression therapy' boasts that the past life sinners get repentance in present life once they are regressed. But here, the hero turns villain and takes gets back his past life's cruelty and kills the people around him in present life. The subject would have dealt in other way with positive and peaceful ending. Director Sekkhar Suri has set his standards above with his film 'A Film By Aravind'. But now he failed to meet the same standards. The movie 'Three' leaves common audience in confusion.

First half is dragged with no run in the story line. Second half runs swift but in confused way. Make up part is weak. Projecting Rajeev Kanakala with lip stick glued under eyes, Vijay Kurakula's over dosed sound affects those have eaten away the audibility in dialogues are the limitations in this flick. Showing Rajeev Kanakala on the wall like a batman brought laughs in theaters in stead of pumping fear.

On a whole, it's a challenging attempt but ended up as a routine horror flick with mundane elements. The film would have been better if proper light was thrown on 'regression therapy' to make common audience understand. Sekkhar! If you are more convinced with 'regression subject', then better luck next time, with proper ground work and more convincing and edifying elements.