Here goes my first review of 2011. Although the first movie I saw this year was Mirapakaya, I am posting this one first. Manchu Vishnu who has not received box office acclaim post Dhee has come up with a new venture. This movie has been produced by 24 Frames Factory which is Vishnu's own banner. How did the film shape up? My analysis follows.
Film: Vastaadu Naa Raju
Cast: Manchu Vishnu, Taapsee Pannu, Prakash Raj, Shiyaji Shinde, Bramhanandam, Ajay, Tanikella Bharani & Others.
Music: Mani Sharma
Director: Hemanth Madhukar
Producer: Manchu Vishnu
Release Date: February 11th, 2011
My Rating: 2.75/5
What's It About:
Venkattapa Naidu A.K.A Venky(Vishnu) is a wannabe kick boxer. Narasimha( Prakash Raj) is a local goom with political aspirations. He wants to contest for a M.L.A seat with the help of the Home Minister (Shiyaji). Ajay(Ajay), the home minister's son falls in love with Pooja(Taapsee) who is Narasimha's sister. Using the marriage of his son with Pooja as a bait for the M.L.A seat, the home minister fixes the alliance. In a series of misunderstandings, Narasimha and Venky's parents assume that Venky and Pooja are in love and Narasimha vandalizes Venky's house, breaks his sister's engagement and thrashes his kick boxing dreams. A furious Venky wants to take revenge and kidnaps Pooja. What happens next? Will Venky & Pooja fall in love? What does Narasimha do forms the rest of the story.
Artist Performances:
After a disaster called Saleem, Vishnu apparently took a long time in finalizing the next movie and I must say this movie is one of his better ones. He worked on his lisp and tried to better his performance. Yet, he needs to work further on his emotions especially in the action and romantic scenes. Taapsee is cute, has nothing much to do like all heroines in Telugu movies and there is nothing to write about her as far as acting performance is concerned. Prakash Raj, Shiyaji, Tanikella are adequate in the roles that they might have played time and again in all of their movies. Bramhi is hilarious, Satya Krishnan & Surekha Vani are nice. Ajay has nothing much to do, Ali's cameo does not add much to the climax.
This & That:
Hemanth Madhukar did a neat job for a debut movie. Story is not novel and neither is the taking but the humor somewhat makes up for it. Anjali Papa sequence is good. Satya Krishnan's track is another positive point in the second half. Music is by Mani Sharma and a couple of songs are nice. I liked the Sademiya & Hello Everybody. Choreography is ok. Vishnu tried to incorporate some new moves and I felt he lacks the energy for the steps. Climax is cliched. The first half was dragged in places and could have been edited differently. The film released with Gaganam, starring Nagarjuna. It's future depends on how well that movie performs at the box office. Hopefully it be an above average grosser and Vishnu might just get the success he is so desperately looking for.
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, In places. Watch it with no expectations and you might just like the second half!
