Ravi Teja's Anjaneyulu (2009) Movie Review by Greatndhra

Film: Anjaneyulu

Rating: 3.25/5

Banner: Parameswara Arts

Cast: Ravi Teja, Nayantara, Sonu Sood, Brahmanandam, Jeeva, Srinivas Reddy, Nasser, Vinaya, Dandapani, Tarzan, M S Narayana, Prakashraj, Raja Ravindra etc

Music: Thaman

Editor: Marthand K Venkatesh

Cinematography: Ravindra Babu

Story, Screenplay, Direction: Parasuram (Bujji)

Producer: Ganesh Babu

Release date: 12th Aug 2009

Having scored a blockbuster with ‘Kick’, crazy mass hero Ravi Teja has arrived with his new movie and given his hit combination with Nayantara, the expectations have been high. Whether it has met them or not, let us see

Story:

Anjaneyulu (Ravi) is a straight forward guy with a care a damn attitude. He works with a TV channel and one day he meets Anjali (Nayan). It is love at first sight for him, his life takes a turn when an unforeseen incident happens for his parents Krishnamurthy (Nasser), Lakshmi (Vinaya). How he deals with that issue forms rest of the story line.

As a part of his profession, Anjaneyulu changes his name as Pavan and enters as sleeping cell in the group of some anti social elements. There is a connection between his profession and personal life from then. The suspense is revealed in second half and real saga continues from then.

Performances:

Ravi Teja:
It is Ravi’s show all the way and his energetic performance keeps the tempo high. He has become versatile with his expressions and his emotions are quite good. The screen presence of Ravi Teja has been growing strong with each passing movie of his.

Nayantara:
She didn’t have much to do in this one but then there is not much of oomph show from her end, Nayan could have checked the hair stylist and the make up artistes, she looked quite dull in this one. Not much for her to do in terms of performance. Radio Mirchi Sowmya's dubbing for Nayantara is perfectly in sync and elevated the role.

Others:
Brahmanandam made his presence felt, Jeeva was neat, Srinivas Reddy was good, Jayaprakash Reddy was regular, Sonu Sood flaunted his muscles but not much scope to perform for him. M S Narayana provided few laughs, Nasser was elegant, Prakashraj was good, Raja Ravindra was normal, the others did their bit to contribute.

Technical departments:
The film has been presented decently but it is the narrative which kept things going. The dialogues were witty and sensible wherever required, script was written neatly, screenplay was apt. Two songs were good, background score was okay, cinematography was up to the standard. Editing was crisp. Costumes were alright but not good for Nayantara, art department was neat.

Highlights:

* Ravi Teja’s energy levels
* Comedy of Brahmanandam
* Pace of the film

Disappointments:

* Nayantara’s make up
* Item song on Kim Sharma with huge noises

Analysis:

The film has got nothing new to offer but one can see traces of Puri Jagannadh in it, though the formula is old, it was narrated keeping the audience engaged. The first half just whizzes past leaving no idle moment. The second half slows down due to the sentiment and melodrama angle and unwanted songs but overall, the film has got enough ingredients to take it to the success mark.

Puri’s influence is totally carried on Parasuram in this film. He has all energies to match the requirements of a star director. He proved with this film that he can handle big heroes, big budget, big comedy and big action. And there are influences of Shankar on his too, especially while dealing with some funeral scenes in second half.

After Kick, again Anjaneyulu has something for masses and action-comedy film lovers.

Bottom line: Can be watched

Vishal's PISTA (2009) Movie Review by Greatandhra

Film: Pista

Banner: GK Film Corporation

Rating: 2/5

Cast: Vishal, Shriya, Kishore, Prakash Raj, Geetha, Tanikella Bharani, Shayaji Shinde, Ali, Krishna Bhagawan, Srinivas Reddy etc

Lyrics: Ananth Sriram

Dialogues: Shashank Vennelakanti

Action: Rocky Rajesh

Art: Velu-Prakash

Editing: VT Vijayan

Camera: Priyan

Producer: Vikram Krishna

Music: Mani Sharma

Story, Screenplay, Direction: Sabha Ayyappan

Released On: 29th May 2009

The much hyped ‘Pista’ that has been making rounds in big way in media circles has finally released today. Let us see how far the film stood up to expectations

Story:

Murali Krishna (Vishal), rough and tough young man from the village Ramachandrapuram comes to Vizag in search of his elder brother who runs away from home in childhood.

His wish is to make his mother happy by bringing back her elder son. In the process, he happens to develop a tug with two gangsters Guru (Kishore) and Surya Prakash (Prakash Raj).

The typical action drama continues till the last and if Murali Krishna found his brother has to be watched on screen. It is not something special to say that Indu (Shriya) is the lady love for Murali Krishna and there is nothing big to portray for her other than this.

Performances:

Vishal with his rugged look once again portrayed in mass action flick. All his histrionics, the choice of subject, the way he presented himself looked obsolete. His voice base and punch while delivering heavy dialogues are to be improved. Vishal needs to try something new to make a stride. For him the action film/mass flick happens to be just a few fights, songs and heavy packed climax. He has to come out from that shell and try for newness.

Shriya has shown enough of oomph and that worked well on screen.

Prakash Raj is at his best as a gangster. He justified his role. Kishore as another gangster is also ok. Ali’s comedy is good but Krishna Bhagawan failed to spill laughs with his weak track. Tanikella Bharani, the senior artiste with good élan, has diminished himself as a side kick for villain. He wouldn’t have zeroed in on that not-so-prominent role.

Action episodes are also outdated. Music is just average. The film is lacking freshness and the director is solely responsible for that. The production values are good but the subject matter is weak.

Analysis:

It appears to be a dubbed version with first look, watching Vishal on screen, but since it’s bilingual, the nativity is not missed in many frames. All the songs except ‘Pattuko Pattuko…’ were shot with Telugu lyrics and majority of scenes were also canned in Telugu that brought a perfect lip sync of artistes. The padding artistes also brought nativity feel for audiences.

First half of the film runs with time pass scenes and there will be no big movement in story line. The real story begins only with interval twist and second half. The conclusion is as expected and hence the last 15 minutes will not be that exciting for audiences.

The plight of this film depends on the patronage of mass audiences and the posters with glamorous Shriya may help to some extent. The film may run only with artificial boost up and heavy publicity but not with material in it.

AKASAMANTHA (2009) Review by Greatandhra.com

Film: Akasamantha
Rating: 3.25/5
Cast: Prakash Raj, Aishwarya, Trisha, Ganesh, Talaivasal Vijay, Venkat Raman, Jagapathi Babu etc
Lyrics: Veturi, Ananth Sri Ram
Music: Vidya Sagar
Cinematography: Preetha
Art: Kadhir
Dialogues: Sasank Vennelakanti
Producer: Dil Raju
Story-Screenplay-Director: Radha Mohan
Released On: 27th March 2009

The title ‘Dil’ for Raju aptly fits. He has proven that once again. He rightly produced the movie that touches the ‘dil’ of audiences. Let us see how the movie touches the strings of hearts and sounds a poetic music.



Story:
The story starts with Raghuram (Prakash Raj) who jogs in a park. Sudhakar (Jagapathi Babu) spends his time with his 2 year old daughter in the same park around a tot lot. He takes an interval from that girl and sits beside Raghu Ram and both introduce each other. The conversation starts between the two with the topic of that child.

Raghu Ram starts narrating about his daughter Abhi (Trisha) to Sudhakar. He narrates his entire flash back saying about all tender feelings he had with her through out his life. He starts with the birth of Abhi and narrates till her marriage to a Sardarji (Ganesh). That’s a set of tender feelings which has to be watched on screen.



Finally after listening to the story of Raghu Ram and his feelings on his daughter, Sudhakar understands how he should make up his mind and heart with respect to his daughter. That’s the end of the film.

Performances:
Prakash Raj is at his best. He proves an artiste with mettle. He lived in the role of a loving father living in an isolated hill station.

Aishwarya is ok in her role. Trisha portrayed the role as per requirement. Ganesh grooved well in the get up of Sardarjee and justified the role. Talaivasal Vijay entertained and emotionally gripped in the role of Ravi Sastry.


Technically the film deserves full marks for cinematography. All the verdant locales of hill station are rightly captured. Music is just ok and ‘Atala patala…’ song is haunting.

Dialogues are crisp and filled with subtle humor that’s not far from natural appeal. There are no melodrama sequences any where and that gripped the attention of present day audiences.

Direction by Radha Mohan is good. The story line and narration is subtle with all elements right from message to entertainment.

Plus Points:

Emotional narration
Subtle humor
Justification

Minus:
Prakash Raj’s character is coated with excessive sympathy in some scenes.


Analysis:
The film has a message coated with entertainment and emotion. It has got message for fathers, message for daughters and message on a whole for every citizen. It shows how fathers should balance his feelings and possessiveness on their intelligent daughters. It portrays how daughters should understand the tender possessive feelings of responsible fathers. It shows a way for citizens how the society can be adopted to kick poverty and fence the nation with love. Apart from all these, it shows how great the sardarjees are and how bad to crack jokes on them. It also shows the humorous moments of life, sweet nothings and many more.

First half of the movie has got more humorous moments while the second half is filled with some emotion and message.

On a whole it’s a movie that deserves patronage of all matured audiences. It’s family movie that holds the emotional levels. Mass audiences may not connect with the movie due to lack of speed and other elements.

Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam ( KIKK ) Review : By Greatandhra

Film: Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam
Rating: 3/5
Banner: Laxmi Narasimha Productions
Cast: Siddartha, Tamanna, Praash Raj,. TRamya Krishna, Venu Madhav, Brahmanandam, Nazar, Hema and others
Music: Shankar Ehasaan Loy
Cinematogrpahy: Vijay K Chander
Art: Chinna
Dialogues: Abburi Ravi
Screenplay: Deepak Raj
Editing: Srikar Prasad
Background score: Mani Sharma
Producer: Nallamalupu Bujji
Story, Direction: Kishore Kumar

Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam, being called with pet title 'KIKK' has released today. The film has followed a typical muhurath by releasing at 1:01 PM instead of hitting screens at regular 11 AM show. Let us see how far that muhurath worked well with this movie and what the content is.

Story:
Geeta (Tamanna) is the daughter of a big man named Subrahmanyam (Nazar) in a village. She holds great love and affection for her father. And she happens to come to city for studying in a college. She stays with Gachibowli Diwakar and his wife (Brahmanandam and Hema). She develops good rapport with Prof Rajya Lakshmi (Ramya Krishna) in her college. Siddhu (Siddarth) is the son of Prof Rajya Lakshmi who leads the life of a play boy. Siddhu lives only with his mother for many years and his father Prakash Varma (Prakash Raj) lives abroad and earns big fame and money. He returns and the son Siddhu goes close to him. The friendship between son and father stands unique and strong. Siddhu loves Geeta as a routine treat in any film. But Subrahmanyam puts a condition that he would allow his daughter to marry Siddhu only when the parents of Siddhu are united. Then the real game starts for both Siddhu and Geeta to unite the separated couple. Whether they turned successful in that attempt becomes rest of the story.

Performances:
The film grooved in all major artistes and there is nothing less to speak about them.

Siddartha with his unique style of performance enticed again. Tamanna looked with lot of grace and beauty and has really stolen the show with her looks and expressions. She can stand as Madhuri Dixit in Tollywood if polished her performance and dance in a better way. She is gifted with elegance in screen presence.

Ramya Krishna is ok but she would have given own dubbing for her character. The voice used for her hasn't suited. Being a senior actress, she should at least try to use her own voice inspiring from young artistes like Mamata Mohandas.

Prakash Raj did his best in fatherly role and it is completely different from what he has shown in Bommarillu.

Music stands on the top of all faculties. All the songs received great applause in theatre. It is true that songs could pull the narration of this flick in interesting way. The screenplay is slow and there are some hiccups in editing. The cinematography is marvelous and the film teaches a lesson how the mood can be elevated while picturing songs. Dialogues by Abburi Ravi are good and interesting.

Direction is good but still needs to be gripping. On a whole seriousness and sentiment dominated. Comedy by Brahmanandam hasn't given the punch that has promised at the introduction of his role.

Analysis:
The film is an out and out family entertainer and the main essence is how a young couple attempts to unite a separated old couple for making their love win and take to the altar of marriage. The theme is in fact interesting. The initial few minutes during titles recall the film 'Sangamam' but later things proved to be unique.

First half sounded average while the later half in second part sounded racy and better. On a whole it has got the class-content and teaches a moral 'keep only love and shun anger from relationships'. That's good attempt which deserves a mention.

One really wishes that separating couples just with mere ego would learn lesson from this film.

MASS Lyrics (2004)

Music Director: Devi Sri Prasad

Vaalu Kalla Vayyari Lyrics

Naaaaa.....
Boore lanti bugga choodu
Caru mabbu lanti kurulu choodu
Varey va kya hairstyle yaar

Anna.. super anna
Continue, continue

Hey!
Oooo...Vaalu kalla vayyari
Tene kalla singaari
Na gundeloki doori manasu loki jaari
Champinaave kaveri
Oooo...Bure bugga bangaari
Chapa kalla chinaari
Vintha Vinthaga untondi
Bunga muthi pyaari nangana chinaari
Love cheyyi o saari

Ha ninnu choosinaka emayindo pori
Vintha Vinthaga untondi emito ee story
Nuvvu kanabada kunte thochade kumari
Nuvvu vosthe manasantha sa ri ga ma pa ga ri

Hooo...Vaalu kalla vayyari
Tene kalla singaari
Na gundeloki doori manasu loki jaari
Champinaave kaveri...
Nannu munchinave deveri

Nee hrudhayam lo naakintha chotisthe
Devathalle choosukunta neeku pranamaina raasi istha
Alaa kopamga na vaipu nuvvu choosthe
Deevanalle maarchukunta daani prema laaga srikaristha
Naa kosam puttinaavani naa manase cheppinaadi le
Ee bandham eppudo ila paivaadu vesinaadu le
Oppuko thappade ippudu ikkade neeku nenu isthame nani

Hooo...Vaalu kalla vayyari (Vaalu kalla vayyari)
Tene kalla singaari (Tene kalla singaari)
Na gundeloki doori manasu loki jaari
Champinaave kaveri...
Nannu munchinave deveri

Wo hoo wo ho, Wo hoo wo ho
kurradu manchivaadu ga oppuko
Wo hoo wo ho, Wo hoo wo ho
Aaradugulu andagaadu oppuko...

Ee muddugumme na wife ga osthe
Banthipoola daari vestha letha baanaminka dakkakunda
Ee jaabilamme na life lokosthe
Dishti theesi harathistha ey paadukallu choodakunda
Naalanti manchivaadini meeranTene kalla singaari (Tene kalla singaaritha choosi vundare
Aa maate meeru eema tho o saari cheppi choodare
Oppuko thappade ippude ikkade nuvvu naaku sonthame nani

Hooo... Vaalu kalla vayyari (Vaalu kalla vayyari)
Tene kalla singaari (tene kalla singaari)
Na gundeloki doori manasu loki jaari
Champinaave kaveri (Kaveri)
Nannu munchinaave deveri (Deveri)

IDDARU Lyrics (1997)

Music Director: Rahman A R

Lyrics: Veturi Sudhararamamurthy

Poonagave Lyrics

poonagave poovuladi lE nagavE vaagudi
mounamugaa navvanii nee kougili poojakii
poonagave poovuladi lE nagave vaagudi
mounamugaa navvanii nee kougili poojakii
ala poorNami navvulo oka maasapu puvvulE
nee voDilo poola vELa naa bratuke panDaga
naa bratuke panDagaa ||poonagave||

viraboosenu virajaaji E mantram vEsaavO
viraboosenu virajaaji E mantram vEsaavO
chEbantula neeDalalO telusukunTe nee valapE
oka naaDaina sOdhinchavaa aNuvaNuvu usuroutaalE
aNuvaNuvu usuroutaalE ||poonagave||

neelavarNam selavanTE aakaSamE gaali kadaa
neelavarNam selavanTE aakaSamE gaali kadaa
sooryuDunE vEkuva viDitE toli disaku tilakamelaa
nannikapai viDichaavaa naa usuruika nilavadulE
naa usuruika nilavadulE ||poonagave||


Sasivadane Lyrics

SaSivadanE SaSivadanE swara neelaambari neeva
andela vannela vaikharitO nee madi telupaga raava
achOchETi vennelalO vicchandaalu
navvaganE gucchetETi kulukusiri needa
achOchETi vennelalO vicchandaalu
navvaganE gucchetETi kulukusiri needa
navamadhana navamadhana kalapaku
kannula maaTa Shwetaashwammula
vaahanuDa viDuvaku murisina baaTa
achOchETi vennelalO vicchandhaalu
navvaganE gicchE mOju mOhanamE needa
achOchETi vennelalO vicchandhaalu
navvaganE gicchE mOju mOhanamE needa

madhana mOhini choopulOna maanDu raagamEla
madhana mohini choopulOna maanDu raagamEla
paDuchu vaaDini kannaveekshaNa panchadaara kaada
kala ila mEgha maasam kshaNanikO tODi raagam
kala ila mEgha maasam kshaNanikO tODi raagam
chandanam kalisina oopirilO
karigE mEghala kaTTineeyillE ||SaSivadhane||

neeyam veeyam yEdElaina tanuvu niluvadEla
neeyam veeyam yEdElaina tanuvu niluvadEla
nEnu neevu evvarikevaram valapu chilikenEla
okE oka chaitra vELa urE viDi pootalaayE
okE oka chaitra vELa urE viDi pootalaayE
amrutam kurisina ratirilO jaabili
hrudayam jata chErE ||SaSivadhane||


Unnaanu Neeku Thodugaa Lyrics

unaanu neeku tODugaa okkoka madhura kshaNam
maraNa vELa saitam maruvalEni kaavyamidi
tonnooru nimishaale tODu unna kaalamlO
ennO nimushaalu hRudayam kadilinchinadi
paruvamtO toli nimisham bhayamtO cheli nimisham
kaTTupaDi kougiliki kaneeraina kshanam
ingitame madi tappi
ennO sogasullo muddulli muripinche mohamlo toli nimisham

unaanu neeku tODugaa okkoka madhura kshaNam
maraNa vELa saitam maruvaleni kaavyamidi
E nyaayam E paapam iruvuriki tOchavule
adi suluvaa adi vagalaa adi bhayaalerugavulE
Edi chivaraa Edi modalu oravaDilO tOchadulE
iruvurimai aarambhinchaam evaraitEnEmiTilE
lajjanE tolaginchaa aaSalani neelO SruSTinchaa
aDDe tolagE nee biDiyaale andaalaayE
kadhalle gata kaalam kalalaaga maroka druSyam
aaradulE ee kanneeru aaradulE ee kanTa taDi
unaanu neeku tODugaa okkoka madhura kshaNam
maraNa vELa saitam maruvalEni kaavyamidi

Varun Sandesh's Kotha Bangaru Lokam (2008) Review by GreatAndhra

Film: Kotha Bangaru Lokam
Rating: 3.5/5
Banner: Sri Venkateswara creations
Cast: Varun Sandesh, Shweta, Prakashraj, Ahuti Prasad, Jayasudha, Brahmanandam, Rao Ramesh, Vinay Prasad and others
Music : Mickie J Meyer
Cinematography: Chota K Naidu
Editing: Martand K Venkatesh
Story, Screenplay, Dialogue, Director: Srikanth Addala
Producer: 'Dil' Raju
Release date: 09/10/2008

It's a teenage love story retold on silver screen of Tollywood but in different fashion. Let us see how the difference is felt.

Story

Balu (Varun) finds the beautiful girl Swapna (Swetha) in his college and falls in love at first sight. The love reciprocation from Swapna also holds positive and the saga continues for some time till that gets revealed to the principal of the college.

Swapna's father (Ahuti Prasad) knows about the love story and makes his daughter sit at home and study. On the other side, Balu too will go to home. He keeps on attempting to hunt for the hereabouts of Swapna along with his friends.

What happens to Balu who went into deep love with Swapna. Will they unite again? That forms the rest of the story.

Performances

Varun Sandesh did his best in his first solo flick. But still he needs to work on his diction. Expressions wise he scored well.

New actress Swaetha Basu Prasad has aptly grooved in the role of teenage girl. She did her best but eventually she may settle down in sister roles than that of heroine due to her height constraint and no-oomph levels.

Ahuti Prasad entertained well with his dialogue delivery that reminds of his role in Chandamama. Prakash Raj is ok in his father role that's reserved and Jayasudha is apt in her mother role. She looks younger when compared to her previous films.

Brahmanandam couldn't spill any laughs due to the serious role given for him.

Coming to technical departments, music stands outstanding and while cinematography deserves right mention. Editing suffered little hiccups in second half. The director Srikanth Addala dished out a sensible film that stands to be an attention puller.

Songs

All the songs sounded the best and the number 'Confusion…confusion..' was shot exhaustively in Rajahmundry exploiting the locations Godavari Bridge, Devi Chowk, Pushkar Ghat, Asoka Talkies, Mallikarjuna Swamy temple and many more. Out of the routine Hyderabad and Vizag, it proves to be a new treat for the eyes with Rajahmundry.

Nijamga Nenenaa..was canned in average style. It could have been better.

'Nenani Neevani..' is touching to eyes as well. The montage song 'Nee Prasnalu neevi' is also average but situationally fitting.

'Kalasaalalo..' is pictured in interesting fashion.

Analysis

It's a movie for teens in precise, entertainment lovers to be particular and all Telugu audiences on a whole. The tender intermediate age and its ectopic beats are rightly brought on to the celluloid with life in it. It cannot be compared to 'Chitram' or 'Bommarillu' in direct terms but holds uniqueness in clarity of thought and expression by the director on those standards.

The conviction in drama hasn't missed. The tangles in the plot are rightly unknotted at last. The balance of practicality and creative freedom is seen on a whole. The movie stands out to be the best for A class audiences and youngsters in all centers.

First half of the movie and second half go interesting while sentiment dominates the latter. The story line is old but the way of expression made all the difference.

It's worth watching.

source: greatandhra

PRAKASH RAJ BANNED FROM TOLLYWOOD

TFPC, Telugu Film Producers Council has given an advertisement in all leading Telugu News dailies today- asking all the Telugu producers not to utilize the services of Prakash Raj any more in Telugu films.

It informed that a resolution to this extent was inked in this regard at a coordination meeting of the TFPC and Movie Artistes' Association, dated March 19th, 2008

has clarified that he will not be lending any services to the producers who are using the services of Prakash Raj.

Prakash Raj kept out Tollywood in tune with allegations against him.

GADHI NO: 305 LO DEVUDU

Banner: S Pictures

Cast:
Prakashraj
Santhanam
Kanja Karuppu
Madhumitha
Jyothirmayi
Rajesh
Ilavarasu
M S Bhaskar and others
Music: Vidyasagar

Cinematography: S Soundarajan

Producer : Shankar

Story & Director: Simbudevan

Release Date : April 18, 2008
Story:
A film with divine touch, the story is about two unemployed youth Raju (Santhanam) and Mani (Kanja Karuppu) who live in the most conjusted mansions of Chennai, Triplicane and lead a life among the thousands of youth who come in search of livelihood and making their dreams come true. However, they meet with failure at all junctions and are unable to find a job and meet their ends. They are on the verge of extreme poverty with loans even in the Tea stall. Added to this is the love angle where Raju wants to marry Mahi (Jyothirmayi) who does not acknowledge his feelings for a long time. Things get messy and unable to control their frustration, they lash out at god for bringing them to such a stage. Out of the blue, God (Prakashraj) appears and he agrees to get them out of their problems. In this process, he also reveals that the power to his godliness is the galaxy yantra which rules the universe. He spends few days and makes the two realize that it is actually their change of attitude and approach that will benefit them. Just before he is about to leave, both Raju and Mani flick the yantra from him and god becomes a normal human being while these two become gods. What happens after that forms the rest of the story.
The director who has made his debut seems to have made his mind to come up with a very clear social message and he focused so much on that aspect that he did not think about considering aspects like entertainment, mass appeal and other things. The plot was very interesting and the presentation was excellent but the narration was dull. Full credit goes to the camerawork for capturing the locales so realistically and the music is equally good though the songs are just about okay. Editing could have been more sharp and the screenplay was competent. Both Santhanam and Kanja Karuppu came out with good performances but Santhanam needs to work with more ease while expressing his emotions. Both Jyothirmayi and Madhumitha did not have much to offer as their role was limited to songs only. Prakash Raj was very calm and poised and though he missed the divinity aspect, he sure looked like one among those common people which is impressive. The supporting cast was experiences and came out with real good performance.
The movie has come across with a very intelligent and realistic way of looking at life and things get much better with the entrance of god in it. While the aim is to dispel conceptions about fate, faith and other things the focus has been so much on the conveying of messages and morals at every instant that the mass audience may find it least interesting. The movie is more of a film festival and award winning material and if the comedy and the pace of the story was worked on, it could have turned out to be a remarkable eye opener to many. There is a lot of Tamil flavour seen in it, hence the Telugu audience may find it hard to connect with the style of presentation though the story will appeal in many ways.

OKKADU 2003

Banner: Sumanth Arts
Music: Mani Sharma
Lyrics: Sirivennela
Dialogues: Paruchuri Brothers
Art: Ashok Kular
Cinematography: Sekhar V Joseph
Editing: Srikar Prasad
Story - Screenplay - Direction: Guna Sekhar
Producer: MS Raju
Release date: 15th January 2003

Cast:
Mahesh Babu,
Bhumika Chawla,
Prakash Raj,
Rajan P Dev,
Achyut,
GV,
Sangeeta,
Geeta,
Mukesh Rushi,
Dharmavarapu Subramanyam,
Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao,
Telangana Sakuntala.

Story

Obul Reddy (Prakash Raj) is a factionist in Kurnool. He falls in love with Swapna (Bhumika). Obul Reddy kills Swapna's brother (Achyut) when he passed a remark about the age difference between Obul Reddy and Swapna. Obul Reddy also kills another brother of Swapna. Horrified by the impending danger, father of Swapna gives her certificates and money and asks Swapna to go to her uncle's place in USA. Obul Reddy catches her when she starts traveling.

Ajay (Mahesh Babu) is a Kabaddi player and is the son of an Assistant Commissioner of Police (Mukesh Rishi). At this juncture, Ajay - who is in Kurnool to play Kabaddi games - rescues Swapna from the hands of Obul Reddy and takes her to Hyderabad. Ajay takes Swapna to his house and hides her in his room. Ajay, with the help of friends, arranges passport, visa and flight tickets for Swapna.

Mean while, the Home Minister (Rajan P Dev) who happens to be the brother of Obul Reddy asks ACP to search for Swapna and the guy who has taken away. When ACP realizes that it's his own son who did the crime, Ajay and Swapna runs away from his home and hides in Charminar.

The rest of the story depends on how Obul Reddy traps the couple again and how Ajay emerges victorious.

Artists:

Mahesh Babu: Mahesh Babu has shown a different dimension to his acting skills with this film. That is the i.n.t.e.n.s.i.t.y in his eyes. Without making hero uttering a single word, the directors have shown this kind of intensity by writing powerful situations in the past like the Chiranjeevi's introduction scene in Khaidi and Nagarjuna's chain scene in Shiva. Mahesh Babu worked really hard for this film and it showed up in the output. He carried the film on his shoulders.

Bhumika Chawla: Bhumika is the perfect fit for the role of Swapna. The dubbed done by Savita Reddy is also apt. Though she looked sensual in songs, there is a danger of masses complaining about the glamour aspect (no exposing) of heroine.

Prakash Raj: Prakash Raj changed his mustache in this film, which resembles that of Hindi villain Gulshan Grover. He provided good amount of entertainment with his serious as well as comedy acting. The way he says 'I love you' to Bhumika is hilarious. He is the only actor who can justify that kind of role.

Telangana Sakuntala: She acted as 'Ramulamma' - the cigar smoking lady don and mother of Prakash Raj. She provided entertainment with her typical dialogue deliver and peculiar walking style.

Mukesh Rishi: Mukesh Rushi played a soft role of a sincere police officer and it's a refreshing change for audience to see Mukesh Rishi doing a character which is other than a dread some villain.

Others: Chandra Mohan played the role of helpless father who lost two sons. Rajan P Dev played the role of Home Minister in two consecutive films (Naaga and Okkadu). Geeta acted as mother of Mahesh Babu in this film. She is also pretty good. Niharika - the cute little girl who acted as niece to Venky in 'Preminchukundam Raa' - acted as sister of Mahesh Babu in this film. She is an asset to the film.

Technical Departments:

Story: The basic storyline of a film is how a man acts as a guard to a woman and saves her from danger. The entire first half is devoted to establish the story and the second half has a single mission of hero sending heroine to USA. It's a pretty interesting plot. The original caption of 'Her Army' would have been retained with Okkadu title.

Screenplay - Direction: The director's real worth of screenplay comes out when the storyline of the film is thin. Guna Sekhar excelled in screenplay department with excellent screenplay. Guna Sekhar has a special style of frames of taking. He maintained the class touch of the film throughout and elevated mass elements to exhilarating effect. Guna Sekhar seems to have done this film with positive vengeance.

Dialogues: Dialogues in this film are apt and well measured. Paruchuri brothers have done neat job in dialogues department. There are few effective mass dialogues in the film that elevated situations.

1. Mahesh: 'Nenu Kurnool Kabaddi aadataatiki Vachaanu. Kaani vere aata aadavalasi vachindi'
2. Prakash Raj to Mukesh Rushi (while taking Mahesh Babu in a Sumo to kill him): Em ACP! Nee kodukuni teesukuveltaante neeku tension gaa vunda?
Mukesh Rushi to Prakash Raj: 'avunu. Tension gaa vundi. Naa koduku gurinchi kaadu. Mee gurinchi'
3. Mahesh to Prakash Raj: 'Tella chokka vesukunna prativaadu factionist kaadu'
4. The dialogues where Bhumika humiliates Prakash Raj by talking about magatanam

Photography: Photography by Sekhar V Joseph is excellent. Cinematography is one of the outstanding aspects of Okkadu.

Sets: Set work by Ashok Kumar is very good. The 2 crore worth Charminar set is very good. And the devadas kind of set for the last song in this film is also exceptionally good.

Editing: Editing by Srikar Prasad is crisp. His sharp editing kept the pace of film in good condition.

Lyrics: As said by Sirivennela in audio function, the songs of the film are interlaced in the narration of story. All songs narrated the storyline and the mood of the film.

Stunts: Stunts for this film are extraordinary. The stunts have rich technique associated with it, but at the same time the mass fights (naatu kottudu) are rightly composed to enthrall the masses. First fight and last fight of the film are extraordinary.

Music: Mani Sharma has given excellent songs and background music. He can be proud of his 50th film. Here is the sequence of songs in the film

1. Hare rama: This song is pictured on Mahesh Babu and 10's of dancers with Charminar backdrop. This song is like an M TV video. Very neat and glorifying with good steps by Mahesh Babu and ultra modern choreography
2. Nuvvemaya Chesavokaani: a typical heroine introduction song taken in beautiful and luster scenic locations.
3. Sahasam Swasaga: This song comes as a situational song where Mahesh Babu escorts Bhumika to Hyderabad with interludes like Bhumika telling about her flashback to Mahesh Babu. The camera work and editing for this song is superb.
4. Cheppave Chirugaali: This song is the best situational song in this film. Though hero sings this song, the director has taken good care to show all the artists dancing in this film. Excellent song with good class steps.
5. Hai re hai: This songs starts with a conversation between Mahesh and Bhumika in Charminar and then the location shifts to abroad where Mahesh Babu excites his fans with full-speed steps.
6. Atharintiki: This song starts as a situational song after Bhumika dares Prakash Raj about his manliness then it migrates in to beautiful Devdas-like sets designed by Ashok. This song has good Lawrence kind of mass steps with Mahesh Babu and Bhumika wearing royal dresses.

Production: MS Raju is known for his lavishness and uncompromising attitude in film production. The film is rich in technical values and postproduction effects. He spent 2 crores for Charminar set. He also spent lot of money in hiring thousands of junior artists for scenes like Kabaddi match, Muslims men and Burkha clad females procession.

Analysis:
First half of the film is very good. Second half is good. The narration has become slow in the second half. But keeping in mind that there is only one thread (Mahesh sending Bhumika to USA) to be narrated, we can't expect a better second half. All the scenes that happen in Mahesh Babu's house provide lot of entertainment with subtle comedy. Mahesh Babu deserves an outstanding blockbuster and Okkadu has all the ingredients to become one.

KANTRI IS A REMAKE OF "CATCH ME IF YOU CAN?" ?

Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks starrer 'Catch Me If You Can' could be the inspiration for the NTR's film currently in the making.

While NTR is busy shooting for the film being made under the Vyjayanti Movie banner, the news in the tinsel ville is that it is Steven Spielberg's film that is said to have given the basic idea to director Meher Ramesh.

Now, the original had Leonardo playing the lead as a con man who is tamed by Tom Hanks and how a special bond develops between them.

If NTR plays the role of Leonardo, we think it is Prakash Raj who gets to play the part of Tom Hanks.

NUVVU NAKU NACHAV 2001

Music: Koti

Screenplay, Direction: Vijaya Bhaskar

Story & Dialogues: Trivikram Srinivas

Producer: Sravnthi Ravi Kishore

Release Date: 6th September 2001

Genre:
Musical / Comedy / Family / Romance

Cast
Venkatesh ... Venkateswarlu
Aarti Agarwal ... Nandini
Suhasini ... Sujatha
Brahmanandam ... Coward
Chandramohan ... Sekharam (Venkateswarlu's Dad)
Vajja Venkata Giridhar ... Hero friend
M.S. Narayana ... Nandini's Uncle
Prakash Raj ... Nandini's Dad
Sijju ... Nandini's Fiancee
Sudha ... Nandini's Mom
Sunil ... Banthi
Story

Venakteswarlu alias Venky (Venky) comes to the house of Murthy (Prakash Raj) on recommendation of Sekhar (Chandra Mohan) who is a child hood friend of Murthy and the father of Venky. Nandini alias Nandu (Aarti Agrawal) is the daughter of Murthy.

Venky enters that place when Nandu is about to get engaged to software professional from USA. He helps the family in getting the engagement done smoothly. Murthy helps Venky secure a handsome job. The relationship between Venky and Nandu starts with hatred and turns into friendship. Nandu expresses Venky that she is in love with him. Venky, who does not want to spoil the relationship of their parents, decides to run off from the house of Nandu.

But Murthy gets Venky back from Railway Station, as he thought Venky did not like the job he was given. And it's the marriage time! Venky takes the onus of running the show of marriage. The demure Nandu is in shattered mood as her lover is acting like a broker to her marriage. Will Venky sacrifice his silent love Nandu to a stranger or marries Nandu with the help of their parents. You must watch this sensible love story on the bigger screen to know what is in store for you!

Performances:

Artists:

Venkatesh: Venky has done one-man-show for this film. He is extremely good in comedy scenes. He did a kind of role that starts off as an 'Awara' and turns into a too-good-to-believe character. He looked refreshingly young for his lovely character.

Aarti Agrawal: Arti Agrawal is a major contributor for the film with her enlivening performance. She is extremely beautiful and did natural acting. Her fair skin came as additional asset as she looked exceptionally beautiful by wearing the prime colored dresses through out the film. Her dimples and subtle expressions, sometimes resembles that of Preeti Zinta. Her characterization is also done with extreme care.

Prakash Raj: His performance is more of sublime nature compared to his earlier roles. He impressed audience with his histrionics.

Technical Departments:
Screenplay & direction: Vijaya Bhaskar style of film making resembles the shot making of Yash Chopra who has excellent command over portraying the human relationships in a very sensitive way. Though the narration appears little slow, he made sure that the story is unfolded in a very systematic, yet unpredictable, way. The Andhra audiences are so clever that they can predict when interval comes. But in this film, the director made the junta stand for 10 more minutes after they were about to leave for interval. The way songs inserted into narration of the film is pretty good. Vijay Bhaskar does know how to play with the emotional of the audiences by doing the characterization in a pretty realistic way.

Story and Dialogues: The story of the film can be told in two sentences. It was purely the dialogues that made the difference for the ordinary story. Hallmark of dialogues in the film is the comedy. Every alternate dialogue is a witty one. Trivikram Srinivas has done a commendable job.

Music and Songs: Songs might have sounded average on the tape recorder. But, watching them on a giant screen is a pure pleasure. Beautiful choreography added with the excellent camera work makes the songs richer. Another striking aspect is the way the songs are inserted in this film. They don't come out of blues like the songs in a typical Telugu film. The scenes prior to and after the song are molded to accommodate the song.

Production: Sravanti Ravi Kishore lived up to him name of producing quality films. There is obscenity or vulgarity in this film. D Suresh Babu involvement in this film as the co producer added to the quality of the film. Both these producers should be commended for producing a clean entertainer.