Movie : DAMMU
Rating: 3/5
Cast : NTR Jr, Trisha, Karthika, Nazar, Venu, Suman, Brahmanandam, Ali and others
Directed by : Boyapati Srinu
Produced by : K.A. Vallabha
Banner : Creative Commercials Media and Entertainments
Music : Keeravani
Release Date : 2012-04-27

Dammu is one of the most expected movies of the season. NTR and Boyapati Srinu combination generated huge hype over the film and pre release buzz was enormous. Fans expected nothing short of a blockbuster from this film. NTR has been due for a big hit since long and did he deliver the goods with Dammu?

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Movie : Bezawada

Rating: 2.5/5
Cast : Naga Chaitanya, Amala Paul, Prabhu, Abhimanyu Singh, Mukul Dev, Kota, Subhalekha Sudhakar, Ajay, Brahmanandam, Ashok Rao, Ahuti Prasad, M S Narayana
Directed by : Vivek Krishna
Produced by : Ram Gopal Varma, Kir
Banner : Shreya Productions
Music : Pradeep Koneru, Vikram Negi, B
Release Date : 2011-12-01

Story:

A vengeance tale, the story is in the backdrop of Vijayawada and here lives the powerful Kalidas (Prabhu) who is known to help people using his influence and runs a parallel system. His key support is Vijay Krishna (Mukul) who is treated like his own brother. But this doesn’t go too well with Kali’s own brother Shankar (Abhimanyu Singh) who wants to become like Kalidas and become powerful. Meanwhile, Vijay’s brother Siva (Naga Chaitanya) is a college student who has a smooth life and a lovely girlfriend Geetanjali (Amala). The twist occurs with the killing of Kalidas and Shankar trying his best to prove his power. In this process, he distances from Vijay Krishna and alleges that the latter killed his brother. The real turn comes when Vijay is also killed by the plan of Shankar. Siva decides to take revenge and how he does that forms the rest of the story.

Artist Performances:

Naga Chaitanya has rendered a good performance and he has shown the right kind of anger and emotion. Amala Paul was mind blowing, she sizzled in songs and scored in performance. Abhimanyu Singh was intense. Prabhu was good. Mukul Dev was impressive. Ajay was upto the mark. Subhalekha Sudhakar was standard, Kota was effective, Ashok Rao was adequate, Brahmanandam and MS Narayana failed to impress. The others did their bit as required.

Plus Points:   

* Action Sequences

* Screenplay

* Lead Pair Performance

* Creativity in Killing

Minus Points:   

* Weak Etching of Characters

* Poor Comedy Track

* Lack Of Depth in Emotional Scenes

* Cliched Sequences

Analysis:

Firstly, this film should not be watched as an RGV film. There is a lot of difference in the taking and making. Secondly, it has nothing to do with the controversy that was being made and it is pure media hogwash. The film is just like any other mainstream commercial cinema with a particular formula of fights, romance, songs and sentiment. Technically, the film had good points but content wise and execution was the problem. Overall, the film fails keep the audience engaged most of the time. At the box office, this may not survive much longer.

Verdict: Wait for the DVD!

Veedu Theda Movie Review

Movie : Veedu Theda
Rating: 2/5
Cast : Nikhil Siddarth, Pooja Bose, Sayaji Shinde, Suman, Krishna Bhagawan, Ali, M S Narayana, Raghu Babu, Master Bharat, Hema and others
Directed by : Chinni Krishna
Produced by : Kalyan Chakravarthy
Banner : Lakshmi Narasimha Entertainments
Music : Chakri
Release Date : 2011-11-18

Story:

A mass masala tale, the story is set on the backdrop of Tirupathi and here lives Kathi Seenu (Nikhil) who is a happy go lucky guy. But his doings tend to trouble the neighbourhood. Due to one such incident, Seenu takes an oath that he will search a girl for himself, fall in love with her. This happens with the arrival of Meghana (Pooja). However, Meghana is repulsive to love and Seenu’s efforts don’t work. The story takes a turn when Meghana is kidnapped by the goons of Liquor Shankar (Sayaji). Why does he do that? Who is Meghana? All this forms the rest of the story.

Artist Performances:

Nikhil has given a sincere performance and he has shouldered his role and the film well by contributing in all departments. Pooja looks seductive and sensuous with an innocent appeal. Even her performance was neat. Sayaji Shinde was regular, Ali was average, M S Narayana was the best among the lot, Brahmi was boring, Venu Madhav was okay, Suman was brief, Krishna Bhagawan brought few smiles, Raghu Babu was funny, the others didn’t have much to offer.

Plus Points:

Nikhil’s performance and Pooja’s appeal

Dialogues

First half

Minus Points:

Weak content

Dragged sequences in second half

Poor melodrama

Analysis:

The film starts on a promising note and it goes with good pace creating a balance between comedy and romance. However, the graph begins to fall once the second half begins. The anti-climax gets boring due to dragged scenes and amateur comedy. There is a good budget allocated for the film and a high quality cast with the director but he failed to get the best out of them. At the box office, this might go with those who look for mindless comedy and timepass but success is very doubtful.

Verdict: Routine, nothing special!!!

  Movie : Sri Rama Rajyam

Rating: 4/5
Cast : Nandamuri Balakrishna, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Nayantara, Srikanth, Master Gaurav, Master Dhanush, K R Vijaya, Vindoo Dara Singh, Sameer, Brahmanandam, Balayya and others
Directed by : Bapu
Produced by : Y Sai Babu
Banner : Sri Sai Baba Pictures
Music : Ilayaraja
Release Date : 2011-11-17

Story:

A delightful epic, the tale begins with the return of Rama (Balakrishna) from his victorious battle in Lanka. He is accompanied by wife Seetha (Nayantara), his brother Lakshmana (Srikanth) and Hanuman (Vindoo Dara Singh). Rama is re-crowned as king of Ayodhya and amidst that happy time, Seetha becomes pregnant. The tale takes a turn when Rama gets to hear from his spies about how a particular incident involving a washerman Tippaiah (Brahmi) suspecting his wife’s fidelity fails to approach the king. His point is, how can Rama accept Seetha after she stayed at Ravana’s place for such a long time. With the duty of a king, Rama sends the pregnant Seetha to the forest. She is taken into shelter by Sage Valmiki (Akkineni Nageswara Rao). Seetha delivers twins Lava-Kusa (master Gaurav, master Dhanush) and they are taught about King Rama’s story by Valmiki and other skills. They come to Ayodhya and with their singing of Rama’s tales, they catch the attention of the king. However, they are disappointed to know that Rama had abandoned Seetha due to the talk among public. What they don’t know is they are the sons of Rama. How all that is revealed forms the rest of the story.

Artist Performances:

Balakrishna walks away with a lot of brownie points for his portrayal as Lord Rama. His love for devotional films can be seen with the dedication and hard work he has put in every frame. Who ever can do justice to the roles portrayed by NTR other than Balayya? Is there anyone who will differ with this statement? Hope not so!!!

Nayantara is a revelation in this film. You just can’t imagine an actress other than her, to reprise the role of Sita after watching ‘Sri Rama Rajyam’.

ANR’s performance as Valmiki Maharshi is priceless. Don’t expect him to go wrong with anything he does, as it never happens. He’s surely one of the greatest actors India has ever produced.

The child artistes Gaurav and Dhanush put sincere efforts in their role. The rest of the cast such as Srikanth, Murali Mohan, Brahmi, Balayya, KR Vijaya etc rendered their support and added value to the film.

Everyone who worked for this film has put in their heart and soul to make it a memorable experience for the film lovers.

Plus Points:

Balayya as Lord Rama is a delight to watch

Nayantara’s career best performance

Terrific Screenplay

Outstanding Visuals

Soothing Music and Excellent Background Score

Perfect Casting

Minus Points:

Nothing in particular to point out

Analysis:

The very essence of a mythological film brings in a different feeling to Telugu audience who have always got a special place for this genre. And if someone like Nandamuri Balakrishna is in the lead then the impact is high. True to the hype, the film is high in grandeur, visual appeal and the presentation. It has redefined the set of technical standards followed in Tollywood.

As far as execution goes, director Bapu didn’t drift from his style of narration and tried to include as much as he can within the time frame. Has anyone ever thought of someone other than Balakrishna to continue the legacy of Legend NTR? Hope, not even in your wildest dreams! Balayya – Born To Be Legend!!!

Great films can be made only when great people come under one roof. Hats off to Balakrishna and Sri Rama Rajyam team for choosing a script sans commercial elements and still be a winner.

Verdict: Don’t Miss It On Big Screen – A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity!!!