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Okkadu (2003)
The film which took Mahesh to Instant Stardom.))
Obul Reddy (Prakash Raj) is a factions in Kurnool. He falls in love with Swapna (Bhumika). Obul Reddy kills Swapna's brother (Achyut) when he passed a remark about the age difference between Obul Reddy and Swapna. Obul Reddy also kills another brother of Swapna. Horrified by the impending danger, father of Swapna gives her certificates and money and asks Swapna to go to her uncle's place in USA. Obul Reddy catches her when she starts traveling.
Ajay (Mahesh Babu) is a Kabaddi player and is the son of an Assistant Commissioner of Police (Mukesh Rishi). At this juncture, Ajay - who is in Kurnool to play Kabaddi games - rescues Swapna from the hands of Obul Reddy and takes her to Hyderabad. Ajay takes Swapna to his house and hides her in his room. Ajay, with the help of friends, arranges passport, visa and flight tickets for Swapna.
Mean while, the Home Minister (Rajan P Dev) who happens to be the brother of Obul Reddy asks ACP to search for Swapna and the guy who has taken away. When ACP realizes that it's his own son who did the crime, Ajay and Swapna runs away from his home and hides in Charminar.
The rest of the story depends on how Obul Reddy traps the couple again and how Ajay emerges victorious.
Artists:
Mahesh Babu: Mahesh Babu has shown a different dimension to his acting skills with this film. That is the i.n.t.e.n.s.i.t.y in his eyes. Without making hero uttering a single word, the directors have shown this kind of intensity by writing powerful situations in the past like the Chiranjeevi's introduction scene in Khaidi and Nagarjuna's chain scene in Shiva. Mahesh Babu worked really hard for this film and it showed up in the output. He carried the film on his shoulders.
Bhumika Chawla: Bhumika is the perfect fit for the role of Swapna. The dubbed done by Savita Reddy is also apt. Though she looked sensual in songs, there is a danger of masses complaining about the glamor aspect (no exposing) of heroine.
Prakash Raj: Prakash Raj changed his mustache in this film, which resembles that of Hindi villain Gulshan Grover. He provided good amount of entertainment with his serious as well as comedy acting. The way he says 'I love you' to Bhumika is hilarious. He is the only actor who can justify that kind of role.
Telangana Sakuntala: She acted as 'Ramulamma' - the cigar smoking lady don and mother of Prakash Raj. She provided entertainment with her typical dialogue deliver and peculiar walking style.
Mukesh Rishi: Mukesh Rushi played a soft role of a sincere police officer and it's a refreshing change for audience to see Mukesh Rishi doing a character which is other than a dread some villain.
Others: Chandra Mohan played the role of helpless father who lost two sons. Rajan P Dev played the role of Home Minister in two consecutive films (Naaga and Okkadu). Geeta acted as mother of Mahesh Babu in this film. She is also pretty good. Niharika - the cute little girl who acted as niece to Venky in 'Preminchukundam Raa' - acted as sister of Mahesh Babu in this film. She is an asset to the film.
Technical Departments:
Story: The basic storyline of a film is how a man acts as a guard to a woman and saves her from danger. The entire first half is devoted to establish the story and the second half has a single mission of hero sending heroine to USA. It's a pretty interesting plot. The original caption of 'Her Army' would have been retained with Okkadu title.
Screenplay - Direction: The director's real worth of screenplay comes out when the storyline of the film is thin. Guna Sekhar excelled in screenplay department with excellent screenplay. Guna Sekhar has a special style of frames of taking. He maintained the class touch of the film throughout and elevated mass elements to exhilarating effect. Guna Sekhar seems to have done this film with positive vengeance.
Photography: Photography by Sekhar V Joseph is excellent. Cinematography is one of the outstanding aspects of Okkadu.
Sets: Set work by Ashok Kumar is very good. The 2 core worth Charminar set is very good. And the Nevada's kind of set for the last song in this film is also exceptionally good.
Editing: Editing by Srikar Prasad is crisp. His sharp editing kept the pace of film in good condition.
Lyrics: As said by Sirivennela in audio function, the songs of the film are interlaced in the narration of story. All songs narrated the storyline and the mood of the film.
Stunts: Stunts for this film are extraordinary. The stunts have rich technique associated with it, but at the same time the mass fights (naatu knotted) are rightly composed to enthrall the masses. First fight and last fight of the film are extraordinary.
Music: Mani Sharma has given excellent songs and background music. He can be proud of his 50th film. Here is the sequence of songs in the film
1. Hare Rama: This song is pictured on Mahesh Babu and 10's of dancers with Charminar backdrop. This song is like an M TV video. Very neat and glorifying with good steps by Mahesh Babu and ultra modern choreography 2. Nuvvemaya Chesavokaani: a typical heroine introduction song taken in beautiful and luster scenic locations. 3. Sahasam Swasaga: This song comes as a situational song where Mahesh Babu escorts Bhumika to Hyderabad with interludes like Bhumika telling about her flashback to Mahesh Babu.
Dookudu (2011)
Dramatic Magic
The much delayed and most awaited movie has finally arrived. It has brought Mahesh Babu along with Samantha under the direction of Srinu Vaitla. Let us take a plunge into the details.
Story: Shankar Narayana (Prakash Raj) an honest man with ideals who does a lot for the poor. His good deeds find enemies (Kota, Supreeth, Sayaji). Shankar's son Ajay (Mahesh Babu) grows up to be an honest and tough cop.
While the whole world thinks Shankar Narayana is dead, he is actually recovering in a hospital. Meanwhile, unaware of all this flashback Ajay sets on a mission to hunt Nayak (Sonu Sood), a dreaded mafia don. In this process, he comes across Prashanti (Samantha) and falls in love with her. Meanwhile, Shankar Narayana recovers but he is not supposed to go through any sort of stress.
For this, Ajay starts doing all sorts of things to keep him happy. The story takes a turn when Ajay discovers about the attack on his father and decides to take revenge. How does he do that? Whether he is successful or not forms the rest of the story.
Performances: Mahesh Babu gives a powerhouse performance. His versatility in acting and emoting of various expressions is impressive. As usual, he rocks with his style and handsome looks.
Samantha looks sweet. She manages to do justice in songs and the light romance track. However, she must reduce her dose of makeup and start focusing on adding few extra pounds, that will make her double sexy.
Prakash Raj was matured as usual. Though he doesn't have intense scenes in it, he maintains a contained act and does his bit as required.
Sonu Sood looks stylish as a villain but his characterization is not that powerful. This time, he was not able to create the required impact.
Nasser was natural, Brahmanandam was hilarious, M S Narayana was fantastic, Vennela Kishore brought few extra smiles and made his presence felt, Sonia was alright, Subbaraju made his presence felt, Kota was effective, Sayaji Shinde was standard, Aditya Menon was apt, Tanikella Bharani was elegant, Supreeth was okay. Special mention must be made of Parvathi Melton. Her item song and her oozing sex appeal is a visual delight. The others did their bit as required and added value.
Highlights:
Mahesh Babu's performance Brahmi, M S Narayana comedy Second half Parvathi Melton's item song Drawbacks:
First half Length Routine Vaitla formula Weak romance track MLA get up Mahesh Babu got wasted Analysis: The two names, Mahesh Babu and Srinu Vaitla, are enough to set high expectations for the film. But the best way to enjoy this film is to go with an open mind. As such, this is a typical Srinu Vaitla film and his formula and pattern is the same from start to finish.
Subba Raju's character resembles Jaya Prakash Reddy in 'Dhee'. Brahmanandam's character resembles what he portrayed in 'Ready'.
Only difference is, the commercial elements are high and for a change he has shown villains as villains and not converted them to good beings.
As usual, Vaitla relied on his strengths IE comedy and dialogs. During the first half, things are quite erratic and it is hard to connect. Many were looking at their watches for the interval bang. During the interval many gave thumbs down reactions and somewhat negative vibes.
The much hyped Mahesh Babu's MLA get up is wasted in the film. The purpose of raising curtain for a reality show by Mahesh Babu is not at all convincing but boring. Taking the bigger risk of reality show to keep father happy is like a cock and bull story. The entertainment graph falls down suddenly due to that. Audience gets disconnected to the film at that moment for about 20 minutes. Although the purpose of that reality show is not convincing, the pattern in which it goes with other artistes brought the humor.
But second half covered up the entire thing and no one looks at the watch anymore. There are few points which are worth mentioning here:
When Dharmavarapu faxes a celebrity photo to the villains. All are shocked. You must watch the film to enjoy that. The scene between Sonu Sood and Prakash Raj. It is a straight lift from 'Sarkar' scene between Amitabh Bachchan and Zakir Hussain, but a weak imitation. Last twenty minutes comedy and the dialogs of Brahmi and M S Narayana Overall, the film has the right ingredients to appeal the family audience and though most of it is expected, it is the pace and ability with which the audience is engaged and the entertainment value they get.
At the box office, with no other film in sight and the hype created, the film will be invincible.
Khaleja (2010)
comedy angle Out from Mahesh
G. Seetharama Raju shortly called as Raju (Mahesh Babu) is in Rajasthan searching for a desert village called Girdalpur where in he needs to handover an Insurance check of Rs. 5 Lakhs to the family of Dilawar Singh who was killed by some unknown gang along with a Geology Professor Paranje, when both were traveling as passengers in the taxi of Raju. During this hunt for the village, Raju meets his old friend cum love interest Subhasini (Anushka), who is struck up in this desert by a trap of industrialist GK (Prakash Raj)'s son (Amit). Subhasini is the daughter of one more industrialist DP (Tanikella Bharani) who is to get into a one Lakh Crore business contract with GK.
When both of them are to reach the village, all of the sudden goons attack and try to kill Raju but saved by Siddha (Shafi) who is in search of a savior or god to save their village Pali in Andhra Pradesh which is attacked by a deadly disease due to contamination of water by industrial waste produced from a near by plastic factory which is owned by none other than GK. When Mahesh reach village Pali with the help of Siddha, he was seen as a god Shiva by village head (Rao Ramesh) and villagers.
From here on Raju starts finding out the reasons for the deaths in the village and some deadly reasons come into the fore which are related to Iridium mineral deposits available beneath the village which are eyed upon by GK. How did Raju save the village and its people? is what forms the climax.
Values of the Movie Khaleja: What makes 'Khaleja' different from Mahesh Babu's earlier movies is the way of Charcterization. Trivikram, the gem of a director has attempted this project only with Mahesh Babu's image in view. Mahesh Babu looked handsome with shining face and trendy costumes with a changed body language and dialogue delivery. In action sequences he excelled more than the dances in songs. Mahesh's comic timing has been improved tremendously and the lighter mode of his typical mannerisms attracted vigils and claps. Anushka hasn't got a role to perform. She was just for the sake of songs, as usual hot in looks with awesome body maintenance. Shafi has got a role of his life after 'Chatrapathi' and his dialogs were etched with power and emotion. Rao Ramesh has continued his role of 'Magadheera' and he was also okay. If Sunil and Ali shared the comedy part, Prakash Raj was at his regular best as villain. Tanikella Bharani, Brahmanandam, Archana, Kota were also okay.
Story wise Trivikram has picked a line that was heard and seen many a times in South cinema. But, he has come around a different way of projecting it on the screen and here is where Trivikram's extra ordinary script writing skills came into light. Characterization of Mahesh was never tried in Tollywood till now. Trivikram's major fort of dialogs aren't really top rate this time. Not more than three to four scenes, Trivikram's pen has literally failed. Mani Sharmaa's music was just okay, both back grouped and main score. Picturization of 'Sada Siva' was expected too much but ended to be moderate. Cinematography by Yash Bhatt was superb in dealing the Rajasthan scenes while Editing by Sreekar Prasad was too much cumbersome in second half. Production values of Singanamala Ramesh and C. Kalyan were also A class.
Out of The Movie Khaleja: The first question that teases your mind after watching 'Khaleja' is what it made Trivikram to take 3 years of time for completion of 'Khaleja'? Excpet Mahesh Babu's characterization, we find nothing great from him. With villagers calling Mahesh as God and Mahesh skipping from his duties feared of calling himself as God requires enormous strength to make audience accept the fact that, a man who helps the needful is always a God. This is where Trivikram's positive characterization has become confusing for audience. Audience are more taken by Shafi and Rao Ramesh's divine words rather than Mahesh's human powers as a God. Story wise, the way Trivikram threaded the characters to catch up the links with passage of main story is a decent attempt.
Major setback from Mani Sharmaa and weak Choreography by Ahmed Khan, Raju Sundaram and Prem Rakshit haven't helped the movie. Yet, Mahesh Babu takes you on a different track with his mannerisms and touch of class. Sunil and Ali helped him in first half while Shafi and Ali helped him in second half. Action sequences by Peter Haines and Ram Lakshman became overt in climax.
Good comedy, Mahesh's looks, unveiling of story, love track between lead pair and a bang interval make the first half. Second half is all about how Mahesh becomes a Godly Man for Pali villagers and the remaining story unfolds leading to a lengthy and exhaustive climax.
Mahesh Babu's screen presence, Anushka's hot looks, Rao Ramesh and Shafi's important roles, Trivikram's narration, comedy in patches are positives for 'Khaleja' while Mani Sharmaa's music, too many action episodes, lengthy climax, confusing God-Man concept, heavy content serve too much negative for 'Khaleja.'
Opening collections will obviously be scored high because of Mahesh Babu's presence but a long run for the movie is surely doubtful. All it depends upon, how audience take up Mahesh Babu and Trivikram in second half.
1 - Nenokkadine (2014)
Watch it for Mahesh and Technical Grandeur
Story starts with an exasperating dream for Rock Star Gautham (Mahesh Babu) about his childhood. Into present, Gautham attends the Music concert and goes on for chase of villain Antonio (Kelly Dorjee) while Journalist Sameera (Kriti Sanon) shoots the entire episode. To everyone's shock, there is no one like Antonio and Gautham is declared of suffering with psycho-neurological disease of illusion. However, Gautham's soul is haunted by three faces (Pradeep Rawat, Naazar and Kelly Dorjee), who killed his parents in childhood. To recover the childhood memories and reconnect himself with past life, Gautham moves to Goa away from crowds. Sameera too follows him where a romantic bond is developed. Before Gautham begins to admit about the disease, few shocking incidents reveal on real existence of above mentioned three people linked to Gautham's school days and family life in London and Belfast. Both Gautham and Sameera step in London to untangle the past.
The whole and sole credit (either positive or negative) of the film should be given only to Sukumar. This is a convoluted story with complicated screenplay. Matching the illusionary events in hero's life with real happenings is itself a new and confusing idea. This is where Sukumar's geometrical and computing techniques elevated the substance. Twists and turns placed at unequal intervals have surely deterred the final flavor. Rathnavelu's cinematography was a good work with lots of aerial shots catching the beauty of London, Belfast and Goa. Then, it's Karthik Srinivas editing required lot of sharpness to show the edge in Sukku's style of narration. In key episodes, the editing was fine but overall, lot of things needed to be trimmed. DSP's background was most of the time filled with theme music and for songs, he did a better job. Peter Heins stunt composition was new-fangled, especially the boat chase. Prem Rakshit's choreography was also new on Mahesh Babu. Technically, the film has no flaws and is a complete quality product. Production values of 14 Reels were mind blowing and every pie spent was visible on screen.
Performance wise, this is new characterization for Mahesh Babu. Obviously, it's the disorientation and dither in his role is passed even to audience in theater. With a well toned body, Mahesh has blown a new angle of performance in him. He is just impeccable. Sometimes, we have no clue on where the story is heading and what is this Sukku screenplay? The romantic track in Goa was a complete flop show with nothing like chemistry between Mahesh and Kriti. Frustration builds up among viewers till interval block when the first legitimate twist mixed with good writing of Sukku ends the first half. Kriti Sanon is a drawback with weak look and annoying dubbing voice. Posani as Cab Driver in London tried to infuse some laughter. In fact, '1 Nenokkadine' lacks in fun which has become synonymous to entertainment for Telugu audience. Of the rest, Naazar was fine while Pradeep Rawat, Kelly Dorjee, Sayaji Shinde, Srinivas Reddy, Anu Hasan, Anand has nothing much to do. Mahesh Babu's son Gautham was a special attraction in childhood role of hero Gautham's character. Item song of Sophie Chowdary was also just average.
Srimanthudu (2015)
Excellent film
When it's a Mahesh Babu film, entire India vigils to hear a maximum positive response. Amidst flop streak of 'Nenokkadine' and 'Aagadu,' there are many calculations behind this flick, co-produced by Mahesh. Director Koratala Siva showed a new commercial angle with 'Mirchi' is here with second project while Shruti Hasan, Devi Sri Prasad, Madhie are ever reliable names. Let's see, what is lying in 'Srimanthudu' review.
Srimanthudu Story: Harsha (Mahesh Babu) is the only son of top businessman Ravi Kanth (Jagapathi Babu). Unlike father, Harsha is a man of principles with no objective to descend the business empire while his father and mother (Sukanya) dreams to see him lead their company. On the parallel side, we are introduced to Devara Kota village shivering in the clutches of local MP Venkata Ratnam (Mukesh Roshi), his brutal brothers Sasi (Sampat Rai) and Radha (Harsha).
Meanwhile, Harsha falls in love with Charuseela (Shruti Hasan), a student of National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD). Delighted by curriculum of developing villages through modern technology as part of the NIRD course, Harsha too joins the same Institute and gradually they are bonded by love. Surprise comes in the form of a business magazine's special edition revealing Charuseela that Harsha as son of business tycoon. Here Charuseela explains Harsha about his native village Devara Kota and she too hails from same village, daughter of local benevolent person Narayana Rao (Rajendra Prasad).
Well, here begins Harsha's mission of adopting Devara Kota to give a better life for local people. What kinds of challenges are posed by Venkata Ratnam and his brothers before Harsha? What is the actual flashback of Ravi Kanth with Devara Kota?
Srimanthudu Artists & Technicians: From very first directorial hit venture 'Mirchi,' a peculiar sense of commercial is vouched in director Koratala Siva. Being a passionate writer, the noble idea of village adoption did not find any stumbling blocks in deviating from commercial values. There is a strong likelihood of such storyline becoming preachy and purely message oriented. Koratala Siva scripted it carefully based on Mahesh Babu's charisma and his immaculate stature to deliver some good thoughts for audience without misplacing the regular heroism.
For achieving this balance, Siva depended more on writing skills. There are plenty of fine lines to encourage instant claps and cheers from Fans and common viewers. Such was the depth in content and strength in protagonist characterization provoking immediate reaction. Siva demonstrated tremendous maturity in direction also. Though take-off was decent followed by Mahesh-Shruti romantic thread half appeasing, Siva unleashed his best of skills from Pr-interval till Pr-climax. Whatsoever, the lag with dragged episodes and slow narration in first half served major drawback. There was a soul and feel missing in total romantic track.
Madhie's camera-work gave a polished look and more than all Harsha has the best ever looks from Mahesh Babu. Editing by Kotagiri needed some immediate trimming in first half where there is clear lack of content. Devi Sri Prasad scored decent musical score. 'Rama Rama' and 'Jaago' songs are best picks while all the songs are shot well. Production values of Mythri Movie Makers and MB are top notch.
Mahesh Babu's characterization is the real driving force. He is handsome in college scenes and made best use of dialogue modulation to strike strongly in second half. His chemistry and pairing with Shruti Hasan is refreshingly cute. Dances and action, Mahesh over performed. Emotionally Mahesh elevated the drama and sentiment in village episodes. All in all, he is life and soul of 'Srimanthudu.' Luckily, Shruti Hasan got a meaty role. She has more to excel in second half while first half romance is half baked and unenlightening. Jagapathi Babu is impressive in a short and purposeful role. His body language and dressing sense needs to be highlighted. Sukanya has nothing much to do. Then Rajendra Prasad got value driven role which serves a booster for uplifting hero's ambition. Sampat Raj, Mukesh Rishi and Harsha's barbaric villainy isn't established to the needed standards. Fun wise, the film falls short in comic quotient with Ali, Vennela Kishore tried soberly. Among the rest, Rahul Ravindran, Surekh Vani, Tulasi, Edida Sriram etc struck to their portions.
Srimanthudu Rating Analysis: Koratala Siva's new experiment on flying an ethics, morals based message film on commercial hero came out satisfactorily. Letting the first half go for simple character establishments and weak romantic thread, Koratala Siva could not engage the interests of audience with left out comic entertainment. He could have easily curtailed the unnecessary length in many scenes dealing on hero, heroine. In fact, this same thread leads to hero's foreword for Devara Kota. There was hurriedness in wrapping climax too where Siva could have added more value than a customary action filled ending. Such areas left the viewers dejected on how come director missed his professionally creative attitude. At the same time, he took on plethora of cinematic liberties spiraling with many questions from clever audience.
On to the best positive side, adoption of a village is a very meaningful and powerful program which can re-design the structure of India. The tasks for development perspective involving too many activities ensured Mahesh Babu's character to flow flawless as seen in 'Jaago' montage song. Drama between JB, Sukanya - Mahesh or emotional bond in RP - Edida Sriram or sustained action in confrontation between Mahesh – Sampat Raj team resulted in an overall good movie watch. As village adoption schemes require both money flow and people's participation, there was automatic scope available for Siva to accomplish feel good sense into narration.
Taking into account all the handicaps in narration, 'Srimanthudu' rating is worth 3 stars