UU Kodathara...Ulikki Padathara (UKUP) Review

Manoj is one hero who travels in unbeaten path…He is now back with a super-natural thriller “UU Kodathaara-Ulikki padathaara”. Having Nandamuri Balakrishna playing a vital role in the film simply magnifies the movie to totally different level. Manchu Lakshmi produced this flick while debutant Shekhar Raja directed it.

Plot: Manoj comes to an old “Gandharva Mahal” where the soul of Narasimharayudu (Balakrishna) is residing. What is motto behind Manoj’s visit? What is the story behind the Gandharva Mahal and Narasimharayudu? “UU Kodathara-Ulikki padathara” takes us to the journey filled with untold love story, ever-lasting revenge, lust and greed.

Characters:

Balakrishna is no doubt USP of this flick. His stills in this movie already grabbed lot of attention. Truly Balayya looked very charming and royal throughout his presence. Playing a “Soul” is completely refreshing experience for him and his fans. Character is etched very well, balakrishna takes it to heights. Balayya infused life into the film in one word. Well all said, it still needs more power. It should have been fiercer than it was, it could have brought pace to the movie. Remember Rajnikanth's role in Pedarayudu..swift and powerful.

Manoj is usual self jumping all over …doing some naughty stuff all over with loads  of energy. He definitely thinks out of box. He shows his violent side in first bloodshed song…and his lust in (s)explosive second song. Those two songs are definitely not kid-friendly.

Sonu Sood is seen as powerful evil in the flashback. He does the role with such an ease as if he is a seasoned Telugu actor. Saikumar is not consistent, partial villain and partially dummy. Ajay is good as Tantric. Prabhu seems to have made Tollywood his home now. Dharmavarapu and team provide some comic relief in first half.

Manchu Lakshmi’s old get up is out of place. Expected more from her role, but it is given undue importance towards end for it being her own “MANCHU” film. Thank god, Deeksha Seth is slowly learning to talk.

UU kodadaamaa…

Manoj’s entry…his funny violent  flashback as told to Dharmavarapu’s team and “1,2,3,4,5” game is hilarious enough.  Flash back is divided into two parts, revealing a chunk before the interval, So that second half promises something more. Balakrishna simply steals the show during those 20 minutes. CG work for Balayya's entry in smoke..is very good.

And crux of the plot gets revealed later before the climax. It’s really good thing as it holds the audiences curiosity to know the facts behind the souls and Lakshmi Manchu.

Shekhar Raja’s story has some stuff in it and his direction is good at parts and he shows Balayya carefully. But the crisp and pace is missing.

Good things comprise lavish and colorful Gandarvamahal. Back ground score by Chinna is good. Two songs “Anuraagame haarathulayye” and “ Idi ani..adi ani” are good among Bobo Sasi’s compositions while other 3 crap songs dilute them. Cinematography by Rajasekhar and Art by Bupesh r bhupathi( for Gandharva Mahal) is appreciable. Surely should appreciate Manchu Lakshmi's production efforts.

Sare ippudu Ulikkipadadaam…

For Gandharva Mahal being constructed with around 6 crore, Mohan Babu might have asked the team to shoot entire film inside it, there is rarely an outdoor scene!! As we talked about two flashback episodes, the filling between these two episodes is utter slow, Have your mobiles charged to play some games. Look at family song that comes in between, tests our patience to the peaks. 2 songs should have been easily muted and audience should have given a fast-forward option for at least 30 minutes.

Finally…

Though “UU kodathara…ulikki padathara” could not deliver the complete thrill it promised in trailers, It definitely tries to be different. Balayya’s presence if more powerful should have been good…But he pulls the film to great extent. Had it been crispier with no much drag, Film would have scored more. But be aware, Film sure has some little chills and sufficient stuff that might entertain you…

Rating…

3 for its technical aspects and art work and positives

    

EEGA MOVIE REVIEW

There used to be a golden era’s of Telugu cinema, where people waited for the movies irrespective of who the hero of the film is. Thank God, we still have some directors who enjoy that status…and SS Rajamouli who made “Success” and “Standard” as his surnames, stands first among them in current times. And after churning out blockbusters, Rajamouli had decided to take a huge break from regular pot-boilers to give us an un-expected revenge saga of “EEGA”.

Let’s see till how far this EEGA…sorry our Rajamouli’s EEGA flies….

Plot: Naanee, the boy next door loves the girl next door Bindu (Samantha) for 2 years. And rightly at the moment when Bindu reciprocates his love, he is brutally killed by Sudeep. And Nani reborn as EEGA and now it is EEGA’s turn to take a revenge for his death and at same time protect his love.

EEGA…an SS Rajamouli’s child

   This tiny thought of EEGA taking a revenge on human being seems funny and simpler on paper. But it takes real guts for one to bring that one line idea to a 2 hour movie, that too for a movie bound to have expectations since it is Rajamouli’s film. So firstly Kudos to the Rajamouli’s team for that entirety and for that miniature perfection.  

Rajamouli lately has gained some ease in telling a love story as part of his revengeful plots. And the result is we have that initial cute love episode between Nani and Bindu. It’s a different one surely that has its share of humor and of course loads of love.

His real litmus test begins once EEGA comes on screen. Definitely it takes some time to register in our mind, a very unfamiliar and unsung hero. And so the director starts at reality showing the capabilities and traits of EEGA. EEGA soon becomes lovable and you start feeling for it, once you connect with its emotions.  It works harder on its revenge and cleverly safeguards her love….and all that is made in believable way…A big standing ovation to Rajamouli Sir….

VFX and Sudeep…

Hero here is EEGA… and not to forget, the hands behind it are VFX team for providing near to the real graphics work. They are really above the par for the audience easily connected with the EEGA on-screen. There is one-hour of Graphic work which comprises half the screen time. SenthilKumar cinematography is perfect. Keeravani’s back ground score infuses life into all the scenes. The Title song “EEGA...EEGA” and “Nene Naani ne” are good as back ground songs. Other melody…”Konchem konchem” is nicely pictured.

Then Kannada star Sudeep is such a brilliant actor…He is excellent as dreadful Villain. Then he superbly acts in all the scenes with EEGA, remember he should actually imagine and deliver on screen, as EEGA is later substituted at post-production time.

Samantha is cute…But should have been better if she get rids of same old chinmayi’s voice. Nani leaves real good mark in the time he has. Of course you will see his naughtiness in EEGA’s tantrums.

Tagubotu Ramesh scores small and good cameo. Rajamouli’s regular aide acts as Tantra.

So what to look for!!

One should look for …how the small EEGA could (un)control huge traffic. How it managed to warn Sudeep saying “I WILL KILL YOU”? How it re-expressed its love to Bindu? It’s home work to kill Sudeep. How it managed to win Tantric? And you should see all those “N” number of tricks it plays to torture Sudeep. Climax is really superb, where an equal tug war takes place. Don’t walk out till the end titles scroll completely as EEGA has surprises till then.

Finally…

EEGA’s verdict and outcome should not be compared with high voltage entertainers from Rajamouli. Being EEGA, it has its drawbacks in form of few dull moments here and there. So basically EEGA is targeted for kids…and they surely will enjoy the flick. So a decent run in multiple languages should return its revenues….

EEGA screen meeda sandadi chestunte…Booking counter lo “EEGA”lu tolukune avasaram raadu..!!

A Big bow Rajamouli sir for your deep passion for cinema...

Rating…

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE…….EEEEE…………..+0.5