Srimannarayana movie review - BalaKrishna

When you saw the 52-year-old Balakrishna on television, with two heroines half his age, on either side of him, all squeezed tightly in a two-seater couch, at a function to celebrate the 'success' of the movie's music, you can take a guess what he would be up to in his film. All through the film as one saw later, the two heroines vie with each other for the actor's attention even as his hands take all the liberty they want with them. All this, while he is after a bank password to get retrieve the Rs 5,000 crore meant for farmers welfare, which is illegally transferred to their account by a set of goons.

Story Line:
Kalki Narayana Murthy (Vijay Kumar) is a man of noble intention to serve the poor. He seen as a social activist who fights for the welfare of farmers. He also happens to be Srimannarayana’s father and he forms a Jai Kisan Trust for the welfare of farmers. Public responds in a big way to this initiative and the fund receives donations to the tune of 5000Crores. Bank officer Rajan Mudaliar (Kota Srinivasa Rao) , Corporate Hospital chief Srikar Prasad (Nagineedu) and IG Marthand (Rao Ramesh) also support the initiative.

Kalki Narayana Murthy son Srimannarayana (Balakrishna) is an exact photocopy of his father. He is a journalist by profession. He works for a television channel and unearths a couple of scams. But the goons gang comprising of Minister Bylu Reddy (Jayaprakash Reddy) , Harshad Kotari (Suresh) and Pulikeshava Reddy (Supreeth) loses a lot of money because of Srimannarayana’s activities. The goons illegally transfer the money to themselves and also kills Narayana Murthy mysteriously and even manage to put Srimannarayana in jail by making him an accused in the crime.

Srimannarayana is in jail, but he is itching to expose the real criminals. And he takes the help of Swapnika (Parvathi Melton), a rival from a different channel. Srimannarayana's mission is not only to get the password of the bank account into which the huge amount was siphoned off, but also to eliminate each of the gang members. But how can he do that when he is lodged in a jail in the Cherlapalli jail?

There are interesting twists to the story as Srimannarayana is shown making full use of the latest technology right from the beginning of the movie. Don't complain about his costumes. They are loud. But that comes with being Balakrishna. At least, Isha Chawla who plays Bhanu, his fiancee, could have made more of an effort to look better in the songs. Perhaps, even Parvathi Melton had no choice in her wardrobe.

Positives:
Balakrishna is good in the role of an angry journalist. He has done well in the emotional scenes and his dialogue delivery is impressive as always. His pre-interval costume in white robes is good. Isha Chawla looks good and has sufficient oomph to attract the masses. She has good potential as an actress and will go a long way in the industry if she takes care of her career well.

Comedy scenes between Balakrishna, Parvati Melton, Duvvasi Mohan and Isha Chawla are a major highlight for the film. Dialogues for these episodes have been cleverly written and the hidden double meanings will work with the masses.

Vijaykumar is decent. Kota Srinivasa Rao, Jayaprakash Reddy and Rao Ramesh are good. Nagineedu does not have much to do but he turns in a dignified performance. Krishna Bhagawan and M.S.Narayana have a few good moments between them.

Concept of the film and basic story line has appeal. Balakrishna’s dialogues on scams and the CBI evoked a good response from the public. The last song “Aaru Adugula” is good and has been shot well.

Negatives:
Care should have been taken with respect to Balakrishna’s wigs and costumes in songs. Also, there is no justification in the story for Balakrishna to appear in various costumes except for the Narasimha Swamy look.

Parvati Melton looks uncomfortably thin, almost anorexic. She is a major turn off and her glamour has all but disappeared. She needs to put on some weight immediately.

The second half of the film and the climax are weak points. Climax in particular is highly cliched and does not bring about any interest in the film. Also, the CBI does not seek to investigate the destination account to which the 5000 Crores were transferred. It is a matter of simple logic to checkout the account to which money was transferred illegally.

Some scenes where Balakrishna moves in and out of the jail with ease look silly.

Technology:
There is no novelty in the Story of the movie, director Ravi Chawali follows a time-tested formula but made sure that there are ample commercial elements that satisfy the thrust of masses and fans. He projected Bala Krishna in the right way and extracted powerful mass performance. Screenplay of the movie is predictable which became an hindrance in the flow of the movie. Direction is good in parts.

Surrender Reddy’s cinematography technique is good. The songs composed by Chakri suited Balayya’s image but to normal audience, they might be a bit outdated.

Ravi Chavali does not impress too much with his direction. He has managed to do a good job in a few scenes but overall, better care should have been taken. He has not pulled off the emotional aspects of the story well.

Is your Penny worth for it:
The first half of the movie began on a slower note and picked pace from the pre interval scene and second half is good with ample mass elements required by Balayya fans. A slightly more gripping screenplay would have added weight to the movie. The movie goes well with fans especially Balayya’s looks and energy and it will be okay for normal audience. The concept of farmer welfare will also appeal to some. A better second half and a more interesting climax would have helped.The box office success of the movie depends on how masses receive it.

Banner: Yellow Flowers Banner
Presenter: RR Movie Makers
Cast: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Isha Chawla, Parvati Melton, Vijay Kumar, Suresh, Vinod Kumar Kota Srinivasa Rao, Jaya Prakash Reddy and others
Cinematography: T.Surender Reddy
Art: Nagender
Editing: Goutham Raju
Music: Chakri
Producer: Ramesh Puppala
Story-Screenplay- Dialogues-Direction: Ravi Chavali
CBFC rating: A
Released on: 30-Aug-2012

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Uu Kodathara Ulikki Padathara - Review

Not many Telugu actors have dared to do an experiment with the different shades of characters. But Manoj is one such star, who has done it in his latest movie Uu Kodathara Ulikki Padathara which also stars Balakrishna.

Story: Gandharva Mahal belongs to the forefathers of Narasimha Rayudu (Balakrishna), who marries his sister to his relative Phanindra Bhupathi (Sonu Sood), who is in love with a prostitute's daughter Amruthavalli (Lakshmi Prasanna). Narasimha gifts his wealth including the Mahal as dowry. But he kills Bhupati when he tries to kill his sister and bring Amruthavalli to the Mahal. He also dies in the fight, but his soul haunts the Mahal to prevent others from occupy it. How a young man (Manoj) dares the soul and wins the hand of Jagadha (Deeksha Seth) the daughter of Rayudu (Prabhu) will form the crux of the film.

Performance: Balakrishna has delivered a great performance as Narasimha Rayudu. It is true that Mohanbabu has missed a chance by not playing the role. Manoj has also delivered wonderful acting. With his six-pack body, he looks fabulous in action and dance sequences. Deeksha Seth does not have enough scope to show her acting skills, but she has used the available screen place properly. She has exposed her glamour a lot in a couple of songs. Lakshmi Prasanna, Bhanuchander, Sonu Sood, Saikumar, Gollapudi Maruthi Rao, Balayya and others have done complete justice to their respective roles. Brahmanandam, Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam, Raghubabu surely tickle the funny bones of audiences.

Technical: The art director has done a wonderful job in creating the Gandharva Mahal set, which is extra-ordinary. Cinematographer B Rajasekhar has maintained a perfect lighting all through the film. The action scenes and the blood drops are perfectly shown on the screen. Suman-Sulaiman's background score is excellent and it elevates many scenes. Lakshmi Bhupati's dialogues are a letdown and there is no punch in them.

The director has done a good script, bu failed to pen a perfect screenplay for it. He could not handle the subject in a proper manner. Before the end of the first half, the subject waters down, but by the interval bang, he takes the reins again. However, in the second half there are many ebbs and tides in the run of the subject.

Remarks: Manoj's character, which has different shades, has to be seen on the screen. Such an experiment is dangerous at times, but Manoj has done it. Watch the film for Manoj, Balakrishna and Lakshmi Prasanna's performances and the twists in the story and the director's narration. Watch the film Uu Kodathara Ulikki Padathara for these aspects.

Cast: Balakrishna, Manchu Manoj, Deeksha Seth, Lakshmi Prasanna, Bhanuchander, Sonu Sood, Saikumar, Gollapudi Maruthi Rao, Balayya, Brahmanandam, Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam, Raghubabu

Credits: Music - Bobo Sasi, Background score - Suman Sulaiman, Cinematography - B Rajasekhar, Editing - Raja Mohammad, Presents - M Mohanbabu, Producer - Lakshmi Prasanna, Story, screenplay and direction - Sekhar Raja

Banner: Manchu entertainments

Released on: July 27, 2012

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Balakrishna as police officer in 'Sadhu'

Nandamuri Balakrishna's latest film 'Pandurangadu' is all set for release on May 30. Even as the film is about to hit the screen, Balakrishna started playing hero in a film under the direction of Gunasekhar, which is being produced by MS Raju on the banner of Sumanth Arts.

'Sadhu' is the title under consideration for the movie.

Though the shooting of the film had begun long ago, the entire unit is maintaining a low-profile, in the wake of MS Raju's successive failures.

It is learnt that Balakrishna is playing the role of a powerful police officer in the movie on the lines of 'Rowdy Inspector'. The role would be further powerful than 'Lakshmi Narasimha', the director claims.

However, who are playing the female leads and it is still unclear as to who were the other artistes and technicians in the film.

Stay glued for more information.

Source: Indiaglitz

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Okka Magadu Reviews

Directed by Y.V.S. Chowdary Produced by Y.V.S. Chowdary Written by Y.V.S. Chowdary, Chintapally Ramana Starring Balakrishna, Anushka ShettyNisha Kothari, Simran Bagga Music by Mani Sharma Cinematography Madhu A. Naidu Editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao Release date(s) January 11, 2008 Country India Language Telugu

The most awaited Okka Magadu has finally hit the screen. The film has been directed and produced by YVS Choudary under the banner of Bommarillu. Balkrishna, Anushka, Priyanka Kothari are in the lead and Simran in a special role. There were lots of expectations on the film, but the director cum producer could not really reach the expectations to the full extent. It has many similarities of the earlier films of Sardar Paparayudu of the late NT Rama Rao directed by Dasari Narayana Rao and has the shades of Bharateeyudu.

Raghupati Raghava Rajaram @ Okka Magadu (Balakrishna) is a freedom fighter. Veera Venkata Satyanarayana @ Satyam Babu (Balakrishna) is his grandson. As a grandson, he acquires all the qualities of his grandfather. Satyam is brought up by Santa @ Baby (Simran). He remains a well-wisher of the people of around six villages in and around Venkatapuram. He always stands by the poor people and tries to uplift the downtrodden people. At the same time, he is ready to serve the people. However, Satyam Babu never meets his grandfather Okka Magadu, who is popular as OM. Whenever, someone's life is in problem, or when someone tries to take the life of another person, OM surfaces and teaches them a lesson. Everyone believes that OM is killing those persons. The case goes to the hands of CBI.

However, they zero in on Satyam Babu believing that he is changing the attire. When he is being questioned, OM surfaces and reveals that he is behind the missing persons. So, CBI people let off Satyam. At this juncture, a lover couple elope and reach Venkatapuram and seek shelter and help from Satyam. The boy is the son of a minister (Asuthosh Rana), who is crooked. Satyam teaches the police a lesson, when they try to take away the boy. Like this, Satyam develops enmity with the minister. When the CBI sleuths start hunting for OM and come to know that he is a traitor as per records and belongs to Venkatapuram. Santa reveals the flashback and tells them that he is not a traitor but a freedom fighter. In the climax, OM reveals that he has not killed the persons but only abducted them to present before the people. Even after everything becomes clear, the minister and the corrupt officials try to escape from the country, but OM makes them to die in a plane crash.

PLUS: Balakrishna gave excellent performance in the movie. Till the interval bang, nobody guesses whether there is a single role or dual role. But after that it becomes clear that they are different. The director has tried his best to maintain a gripping screenplay all through the film. He is able to maintain good suspense. He has taken extra care in showing the difference between young and old Balakrishnas. Anushka and Priyanka Kothari fill the glamour slot well. Simran has also put up good performance. Simran has played a special role in the movie and performed well like an aged and old woman. The entire film revolves around only these four characters. Action scenes will attract the mass and suit their taste. Balakrishna has shown good ease and danced well in song sequences.

MINUS: The timing of songs in the first half killed the tempo a lot. The director has unnecessarily wasted lot of time for chivalrous scenes and to show the glamour of heroines. Priyanka Kothari and Anushka absolutely has no role to play in the film and they are kept only to fill the glamour slot and for dance sequences. There is a lot of thread work in the action scenes and it looks too cinematic.

REMARKS: Though YVS Choudary claimed that he has prepared a good story, the Telugu film lovers can easily identify that it is a rehash / free-make of Sardar Paparayudu with a touch of Bharateeyudu. Even Choudary had kept a song on the lines of Bharateeyudu, where Kamal Hassan and Surekha participate in a song sequence during their wedding scene in the form of various State cultures – like a Marathi, Gujarati, Tamilian and Malayalee and so on and so forth. A similar song is choreographed on Balakrishna and Simran Nanu Paalimpagaa. The film might appease the mass audiences in B, C centres but could not attract the youth or city audiences.

Cast: Balakrishna, Simran, Anushka, Priyanka Kothari, Asuthosh Rana, Krishna Bhagawan, Sivaji Raja, Chinna, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Lakshmipati, Chandramohan, Prasadbabu, Raghunatha Reddy, Rajyalakshmi, Chalapati Rao, Ranganath, Haribabu, Giribabu, Vijayachander, Narsing Yadav, Subba Raju, Vijayan, GV and others.

Credits: Music – Manisharma, Presents – Yalamanchili Geeta, Story, screenplay, direction and producer – YVS Choudary. Banner: Bommarillu Released on: January 11, 2008

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