Iddarammayilatho Movie Review

Summer is coming to an end and so are holidays. This summer is comparatively dull thanks to IPL and lack of planning for releases. After few postponements “Iddarammayilatho”, the much awaited last biggie of summer is being released. It is second film in “Desamuduru” combination Puri Jagannath and Allu Arjun.   While Blockbuster Bandla ganesh produced the film, Iddarammayilu in the title are played by beautiful damsels Amala Paul and Catherine Theresa.

Plot: Akanksha(Catherine) , a psychology student comes to Spain. She sees a dairy left by her previous tenant Komali(Amala) in her room and starts reading it. She comes to know about her love story with a Guitar player Sanju(AA).

What is the underlying truth beyond the writings in the dairy? What happens to Komali ? forms the crux of the film.

Actors:

Allu Arjun looks ultra stylish in this film. He has given a neat and subtle performance. Though few, He nicely renders some Puri mark punch dialogues especially on boy-girl fundas. With lot of Mega heroes coming into films, it seems inevitable for Allu Arjun to remind his love for Megastar by dancing for the  tunes of Gang Leader and Shanker Dada. 

  

Amala Paul looks cute enough as Komali. In the movie itself Allu Arjun tells her “Abbo Kevvu keka antha kaadu gaani..nuvvu cute gaa untaavu” . She played her role well.

This new girl in the block ,Catherine Teresa is something to watch out for .  Though she went overboard in few scenes, she has got loads of energy. Her beauty scores brownie points.

Brahmanandam is good in first half. But his comedy track with Ali in later half breaks your head. Naazer, Tanikella Bharani, Rao Ramesh, Pragati , subbaraju etc seen in brief roles.

So nice First half and Not so second.

Movie starts very promisingly with the dairy concept. As the first half switches back and forth with love tracks of two girls, title “Iddarammayilatho” seemed very apt. Very neat screenplay in this half with rich visuals gives you soothing effect. While few could guess and few already know the twist for the interval, First half moves smoothly. This half has got nice songs like “Violin song”- so romantically pictured, “Shankarabharanam tho – Nice song on Brahmi” and “Run Run” –energetic number .

Like many films, here too second half stammers a lot . Audience feel that since interval twist is revealed and there is nothing much to say in this half. Few might walk away too thinking the same. Ali-Brahmi’s silly comedy track just sprinkles pepper on the wound. But Puri has stored a little twist towards the climax. That makes climax sensible and satisfies you if not otherwise. In this half, the last number “Top Lechi poddi” sounds exactly as the lyric.

Goodies and Baddies …

Not many punches from Puri Jagannath this time. Though he sticks to the storyline perfectly in first half, the tempo is lost during the second. Puri, who wrote hilarious comedy tracks before lost complete grip there.

Technical aspects shine very much this time. Amol Rathod’s rich cinematography, Devi Sri Prasad’s titillating tunes and stylish overall look adds positively to the film. Fights are wonderfully composed by Bangkok based Choreographer Kecha, especially interval and climax fights deserve mention.

Final Word…

Neat first half and stylish look and Allu Arjun and his “Iddarammayilu” are the best aspects of the film.  Slow second half might kill your enthuse for a while.  Not a must but watch it for time pass and goodies mentioned.

Rating

57/100

  

Thadaka Movie Review

And it’s back to back weekend for Akkineni’s. Last week it is daddy YuvaSamrat’s GreekuVeerudu and this week, Young Yuvasamrat Naga chaitanya is very eager to show his "Thadaka". Chaitu has no release for so long as his latest film “Auto Nagar Surya “is  ( hopefully temporarily) shelved because of financial issues. So he has chosen the remake of “Vettai” starring Aarya and Madhavan. Chaitu along with Sunil reprise the roles respectively in this remake, while Dolly who directed “Konchem Istam Konchem Kastam” directs it.

Plot: It’s about the bonding between two brothers, the elder Siva(Sunil) being timid, while younger Karthik(Naga Chaitanya) has got loads of guts. So its Karthik who always takes an extra step and ever ready for tiffs for the sake of his brother. As the father dies, Siva gets the SI (police) job.

Just like the programmers are affected by bugs, the people over there suffer due to brutal ‘Bagg’a (Asuthosh Rana). Karthik helps Siva secretly to bring him down.

What happens when Bagga discovers that Siva is weak and Karthik is the one who is protecting his brother? What about these lovely sisters Nandu(Andrea Jeremiah) and Pallavi ( oo..la la..Tamanna).

Since I have seen both versions, will give refer the original just for a change.

Actors:

Thadaka is unbelievably Naga chaitanya’s believable mass act so far in his career. No doubt Tamil version has Aarya, a seasoned actor. But Chaitu handles it so well this time, the role of responsible brother and romantic boy next door. Of course, though late, one should appreciate the step forward. He excels in action sequences and dances. I don’t wonder if he looks out for more remakes in future.

Sunil Plays Madhavan for second time ( first being Tanu Weds Manu = Mr. Pellikoduku). Somehow I felt this role is absolutely perfect for Sunil. A Zero to Hero act suits Sunil more than Madhavan. His ease in comedy comes handy during first half and his recently attained heroic status helps last 30 minutes. If Telugu film was original, Tamilians would have selected Sunil for their remake :) . 

Who care’s whether Tamanna performs or not, If she takes off your breathe when she oozes loads of glamour especially  in “Mara O Maara” shot aptly on the beach. She is definitely an upgrade from Amala Paul in Original. Andréa Jeremiah who is last seen in Kamal’s Viswaroopam fits as Sunil’s Jodi. She plays her part well.

Asutosh Rana retains his role as he plays the same in original. Villains from North never fail, I think playing a bad guy is so easy for them.

Brahmanandam is wasted, an added role for sake of it.  Vennela Kishore, Srinivas reddy and Raghu Babu, Ramaprabha are decent. Like hero has some tag, Better Nagababu holds a tag “Chachchipoye” Star. It’s been row of films where he dies after a scene or two.

Thadaka – Tandoori Tadka

Lingusamy, who made the original, chooses very simple stories, but garnishes with right doses of Action and romance to make it commercial pot boilers. Dolly ( Alias Kishore) who is ardent fan of Lingusamy has kept the original intact except for bringing the nativity factor successfully. There’s scope for comedy enhancement, but that was misused.

First half offers nice difference for Telugu audience. Introduction of heroes and the girls, Fast and superbly choreographed action sequences and little suspense very soon brings you to interval. As usual when villains know about the games played by brothers, pace comes down, but soon picks up with a twist from Sunil, who surprises with his multi facet. Indian Action movies rarely have superb climax , because our endings always roots to killing same guys who are fighting for the entire run time and this is no exception, but just to bear it.

Thaman offers nice BGM but songs should have been better. Rich Production values are commendable.

Give it a try…

Just like the original, Thadaka is a regular commercial entertainer, nothing more nothing less. Those who watched original can wait or watch it for the different cast as they surely make a difference. For First timers, it surely is a good time-pass summer flick.  Surely this movie helps all of the stars in it.

Score

64/100 :)

GreekuVeerudu Review

After doing different films like “Shirdi Sai”, “Rajanna” and “Damarukam”, King Nagarjuna is back in his comfort zone with “Greeku Veerudu”, the title that’s apt for him and fondly reminds his song from “Ninne Pelladata”. Dasaradh who debuted with Nag’s “Santosham” directed it. Nayantara played Nag’s better half.

Plot: Chandu (Nagarjuna) an event manager in USA gives importance only to money and is devoid of all worldly relations. But he has to meet his family in India to attain his ancestral property. In his journey he meets beautiful Sandhya (Nayantara). And you should watch the movie to know how he realizes the essence of relations.

Performances:

It has become cake walk for Yuvasamrat to play such matured roles. And he is in his best form this time too. He played the initial part with negative shades with superb conviction. And then his transformation is nicely believable. Wonderful role and nice performance from Akkineni.

Nayantara should be first choice for senior heroes right now. Her role too is nicely written and she has portrayed it well. Meera chopra is very limited but plays key role.

Just like in Dasarath’s earlier films, K.Viswanath garu is shown in important character. Geetanjali who played his wife has no much to say, but she is apt. Ashish Vidyardi gets more space and he is good. Kota played villain for a small episode.

Brahmanandam and MS are good at times. Jaya Prakash is fine in climax. Kovai Sarala is back, but this time pairs with MS. Vennela Kishore, Dharmavarapu, (T) Ramesh etc are limited.

Dasaradh excels again ….

There’s pinch of similarity in role Nag played in “Manmadhudu” when he hates relations like how he hates women there and slight flavor of "Santosham" in family episodes. But there ends the similarities as the director Dasaradh has come with fresh drama here.

The initial character establishment of Chandu and his travel to India and he meeting Sandhya is nicely scripted. Though not superb his realization part is conceived decently. The flow is very well maintained for the interval bang.

Second half has minor hiccups as very little of the plot is left for the latter half. “Make a Wish” concept with the three kids is partly good and gelled well with the theme of the film. Climax is again hilarious thanks to comedians and Jaya Prakash.

Songs from Thaman this time are very good to listen. But “O naadu Washington lo “and “Osi naa bangaram “should have been pictured well. BGM is good.

What should have been better?

Some scenes that are actually to be pictured in USA are performed with just using Background screens. This is not expected from Nagarjuna’s film nor Kamakshi movies, which is almost Akkineni’s production house. At least two of the good songs lack grandeur.  Second half should have been little racy.

Finally …

A better second half and uncompromised production values would have resulted another “Santosham” . Nevertheless “Greeku veerudu “has sensible story and nice message . Crucial scenes are well supported by nice dialogues and perfect casting lifts the film.  A good one time watch.

Rating

60/100