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Major (2022)
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As a child, Sandeep Unnikrishnan (Adivi Sesh) has only one dream: to wear a uniform (Navy or army). Initially, his parents (Prakash Raj and Revathi) are disappointed by his career plans, but they allow him to pursue this dream when they realize that he is serious about serving the nation.
After joining the army, he quickly becomes NSG commander and gets promoted to the trainer of commandos. He also gets married to his childhood buddy Isha (Saiee Manjrekar).
When terrorists attack Mumbai in 2008, Sandeep comes forward to lead the mission despite the fact that trainers don't involve in operations. The rest of the film is his brave act.
Artistes' Performances:
As Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Adivi Sesh delivers a fine performance. He shows a huge improvement in emotional sequences. His physique and body language fit well. Sesh holds the film entirely. Without a doubt, it is his best act.
Prakash Raj and Revathi are terrific again. Prakash Raj's emotional speech is the highlight of the film, while Revathi's breakdown towards the end is heartwrenching. Saiee Manjrekar gets her due finally. She was miscast in Varun Tej's 'Ghani', but makes her presence felt here. Sobhita Dhulipala and Murali Sharma are effective in their short roles.
Technical Excellence:
Backed by big production houses like Sony and superstar Mahesh Babu, the team of "Major" spent money liberally to get a rich and superior look.
The production design and the cinematography are first class. In fact, they are a major strength. Sricharan Pakala's background score is perfect. Abburi Ravi's dialogues in the climax portion are superb.
Highlights:
The patriotic feel
Emotional penultimate sequences
Slick action, technical output
Adivi Sesh as Major Sandeep
Cinematography and BGM
Drawback:
Regular traits of biopic
Some cinematic liberties
Analysis
"Major" follows the life of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, an Indian army officer. Sandeep was killed in the 2008, when a terrorist organization carried out bombings and shootings in Mumbai on 26th November in Mumbai.
A couple of films including Ram Gopal Varma's Bollywood film and web dramas have dealt with the subject of the 26/11 attacks. But "Major" deals with the same topic differently by equally focusing on the life and progression of Sandeep's career and his actual bravery during the 26/11 operation.
The makers (directed by Sashi Kiran Thikka with the script by Adivi Sesh) have divided the film into two parts - his life from childhood to his army career forms one part. The first half of the film is all about this. The later part of the movie is devoted to the Mumbai operation. The writer and directors have linked every incident in his life to his decisions as a soldier. Small incidents in his childhood and his teenage life had shaped his thinking.
At one stage of his life, Sandeep faces a question - What is it meant to be a soldier? He doesn't have the right answer. Sandeep promises the commander that he'd live his life as an answer to his question. This scene reverberates in the line of battle when he leads the Mumbai operation. The two halves of the film are structured in that way.
The story has limitations as it entirely focuses on one man with a larger mission. Thus, the makers have tried dramatizing romantic episodes, and his early life for commercial reasons. But somehow, the first half of the film is not that effective, while the final portions are highly emotional and compelling.
As said, the film gets its mojo in the penultimate portions, and the drama heightens further towards the end. The final 20 minutes are terrific and riveting. You don't leave the theatre without welling up with emotions.
The action, the performances, the dialogues, the patriotism feel...everything is synched well. Director Sashi Kiran Tikka shows finesse in handling the subject.
The action blocks in the final moments are terrific as well. The speech that Prakash Raj delivers is the icing on the cake. Unlike other movies, it is not preachy. "Sandeep should be not be remembered how he died, but how he lived," Prakash Raj says. The film, no doubt, focuses on that part - his life.
Coming to its shortcomings, the focus on early life has slowed the proceedings. The predictable scenes between the wife and husband are stretched beyond a point. Some portions remind us of commercial movie traits. The episode of Shobita is not entirely convincing but added some value to drama. Also, the film paints the Mumbai mission as a one-man show, like a typical commercial movie.
All in all, "Major" is a perfect tribute to the brave heart - Sandeep Unnikrishnan. The film is all heart. Adivi Sesh and his team have pulled off an engaging biopic that rouses a patriotic feel.
1 - Nenokkadine (2014)
'1′-Nenokkadine : A Psychological thriller : Don't miss
The film is almost three hours long, which is another letdown. Because, who has that sort of patience to watch a film without comedy or entertainment. Wait aren't comedy and entertainment one and the same? Ideally, a film like '1′ has no place in our psyche because it doesn't pander to what we expect from films. So why was it made in first place, especially if people like you and me don't understand what the f*ck is going on? Questions like this are bound to bounce in your mind like a pinball, if you actually have the patience or care to think about the film long after you have watched it. Why? Why? Why? Like one knowledgeable person once said, "We get the films we deserve." And '1′, like most people will point out, isn't that sort of film. That's perhaps why it must be watched, analysed and judged based on its own merits. Not the sort of film you must keep on a balance, because the weight of our collective conscience will always tilt the fulcrum in favour of what we expect, but not what the film is trying to say.
Incidentally, the film's fundamental theme applies to our perception about the film. It's good if you believe in it and it's one big fat lie if you refuse to be swept away by the narration. There's so much to like about the film, especially in terms of how Gautham's (Mahesh Babu) characterisation is portrayed. The beauty, and I'm speaking strictly in terms of writing, lies in its writing and how well director Sukumar sets up the story in the first place. Why does Gautham, a rockstar, live all by himself? Why doesn't he have any friends? He's bit of a loner throughout the film and he has a big problem trusting someone. Forget all that, he can't trust even his own instincts because he's told repeatedly that he has been hallucinating all his life – about his life, his past and his parents.
Seethamma Vaakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (2013)
Seetamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu - A clean Family film
SVSC is undoubtedly the most awaited movie of the season if not this year. This is the first true multi-starrer movie in Telugu cinema in last three decades. Mahesh Babu who is in sparkling form teamed up with ace performer Venkatesh in this film about Sibling bonding.
What is it about?
Peddodu (Venkatesh) and Chinnodu (Mahesh) are brothers who have diverse personalities. Peddodu doesn't settle down in life by doing some job and Chinnodu will be in job search. Peddodu not settling in any job is the biggest pressure on their family. Chinnodu tries to guide him but in vain. At a stage the relation between the brothers gets strained and how everything gets cleared is the final scene.
Performances:
Mahesh Babu is currently in a wonderful form especially with his comedy timing. His one liners in East Godavari accent are a treat. He has delivered yet another wonderful performance as chinnodu. He simply carries off the film on his shoulders and provides good entertainment in parts. If not for Mahesh this film would have been a letdown. Such is the impact of Mahesh on this movie.
Venkatesh has been dominated by Mahesh in most of the scenes as Venkatesh played a serious role which is completely in contrast to that of Mahesh's. However Venky had his moments here and there where he comes up with trademark sentimental performance. Being a multistarrer one would expect Venkatesh to have a better role.
Prakash Raj is very good in his role. He is very natural and so is Jayasudha. Anjali's character is over the top at times but she is good and lovely in the role. Samantha is alright. Rao Ramesh and Tanikella Bharani are fine.
On the Technical Front:
Songs are soothing and melodious. Background score is pleasant. Cinematography is cool. Editing could have been better. So many characters have been chopped off (RaviBabu, Raja Raveendra) without proper justification. Dialogues are good. Production values are commendable.
Srinkanth Addala is a good director who has great script sense. His first film Kotha Bangaru Lokam has few very good scenes that prove this point. SVSC is not an exception. Srikanth has once again done a fabulous job in conceiving scenes. The best scene is on Prakash Raj in Badrachalam. However, the director ignored many essential elements to highlight the sibling bonding. His prime focus is only on the brotherhood and he didn't bother about other things which is not an intelligent move on the commercial front.
Analysis:
This movie starts off at its own pace and things start to move briskly once Mahesh and Venkatesh comes together on screen. There is no separate comedy in this film and that has been handled by Mahesh. First half is completely dedicated to create feel good factor and the director succeeds in doing so.
Second half is where the real story has to start. But director only focused on brothers and their emotions. They go apart on few occasions and patches up later. This process repeats for two or three times and the movie ends. You will never realize that the film has gone into the climax part until the movie concludes.
Narration is too flat and that is the biggest drawback. Mahesh and Venkatesh bonding scenes have come out well. Mahesh Babu's phone chat with Samantha is entertaining. Anjali character and Prakash Raj character could have been dealt better for more emotional impact. Mahesh Babu solely shouldered the movie from sinking with his excellent dialogues and performance.
This film has few emotions that will appeal to family audience and females. People who have great bonding with their brothers too might get connected. We have to wait and see how masses embrace this movie.
Verdict: Seetamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu - A clean Family film