Raju-Maharaju

What happens when reality hits on a man who is totally headstrong and filthy rich, what are the troubles taken to prove his sincerity and dedication towards love. All this is part of the film ‘Raju Maharaju’ so let us see how it is.

Story

Chakravarthy (Mohan Babu) is a rich businessman and he lives a happy life with his wife Ramya (ramya Krishna), he is known for his ethics and his kind nature. However, things are not the same with his brother Kalyan (sharwanand) who is quite the opposite. He is rude, blunt, doesn’t care about others and is bothered only about himself and his pleasures. So he has his group of friends and he indulges in all sorts of fun. His life takes a turn when sees Sneha (surveen) and falls for her. But Sneha doesn’t reciprocate to his feelings knowing his character very well. Kalyan is shattered and goes into depression. Ramya takes initiative and asks Sneha to act friendly with Kalyan for few days. Sneha agrees and begins to develop some feelings for Kalyan but one incident happens which leaves her in a fury. What happens from there forms the rest of the story.

Performances

Mohan Babu was at his best and gave an impact with his presence. Ramya was still looking hot and made the men feel dizzy. Surveen was sweet but she needs to work on her body language a bit, Tashu did her job well and was generous with her skin show, she was a visual feast. Sunil looked trim and got few smiles while his scenes with Brahmanandam also got some lighter moments. Jayasudha was brief, Jayaprakash Reddy made his presence felt. The others did their bit as per the standard.

Technical aspects

The dialogues were dull, the script was not having strength and the screenplay was average. Music failed to impress with the songs but the background score was good at few points. Cinematography was neat in the songs and few intense scenes. Editing was alright and costumes, art department was also playing a significant role.

Director’s portrayal

The director had to work on the presentation and the narrative aspects and despite the presence of some experienced actors, he was not able to give the right kind of impact. The element of comedy was not in sufficient doses and though there are few good scenes here and there, overall it has been a drag of sorts. The flaws in his narrative were seen at few points evidently and he should have worked on creating a stronger script.

Critic’s view

The film could have been a lot better if it was taken off in an energetic manner with some good scenes of comedy. The highlight in the overall venture was Sharwanand who has shown considerable improvement in his acting, dance and dialogue delivery. While the first half was dull, the second half was more on the sentimental aspect and the mix was not proportionate. There is some solace for the mass audience due to the songs and the visual delight by Tashu Kaushik but how much that can take the film to a success point will be a big question. The director should have worked on creating a crisp movie rather than trying to fill the two plus hours slot.

 

Current

What happens when feelings of love are grown for a person but then it has to be removed, how can love be born again, is it in human control? All these are the aspects of ‘Current’ and how clearly has it been conveyed, let us see.

Story

Sushanth (sushanth) and Sneha (sneha) are like two poles apart. While Sushanth is more the happy go luck guy who believes in living for the moment and does not believe in thinking about the future, Sneha is the opposite. However, their paths cross each other and Sushanth falls in love with her at the very first sight. Though Sneha turns him down initially, in no time she also starts developing feelings for him. Soon, they fall in love and the time comes for Sushanth to meet Sneha’s father (Charanraj). He arrives late as usual and also talks very casually without any seriousness to him. Sneha’s father does not approve of this but leaves decision to her. Even she tries to convince Sushanth but then he is adamant on living like that. Then Sneha asks Sushanth that he should take away those feelings of love from her heart since he was the one who started it all. Sushanth gets pricked and from then on starts his attempts to kill those feelings for Sneha. Is he successful or not forms the rest of the story.

Performances

Sushanth looked trim and energetic during the dance sequences which was a good thing but then his expressions are restricted to just two or three and not more. Sneha Ullal was regular and did her glamorous part, she looked good. Geetha was also looking pretty and she has shown potential. Vennela Kishore did a neat job, Tanikella was effective, Charanraj was okay, Brahmanandam was not used to the fullest, Raghu Babu was hilarious, Shafi was good.

Technical aspects

The dialogues were not penned with strength and the script was not that effective. Screenplay was just okay and the music was good at few parts, the songs were alright and three numbers were good. Editing was alright, costumes and art department did their bit with skill. Cinematography was good at few angles but overall, it was not able to capture the foreign locales or the moments correctly. The pace of the movie was okay.

Director’s portrayal

The director came up with an idea of twisted romance but then he was not able to narrate it convincingly. It must be said that the emotion in the romantic scenes was missing and the chemistry was not generated by him. Also, the comedy track could have been worked in a better way which would have filled the gaps. However, he must be appreciated for coming up with a new thought of removing the feelings of love from someone but he could have portrayed it better.

Critic’s view

The film has been made with decent technical values but then the content part should have been more streamlined. While the first half of the film goes with the regular elements of comedy and songs, it is just before the second half that the plot actually gets into shape and though the second half has also got some intense moments, the climax could have been more polished and could have caused some anxiety for the audience. The lack of consistent comedy is another factor that needed to be worked. Overall, the film would generate interest at few parts and keeps fluctuating on highs and lows. It appeals for youth audiences especially with second half for the emotional depth in it.

 

Minchu

Except the message that education is primary important aspect the film does not focus on any other aspects. A remake of ‘Thimuru’ this film screenplay is good. But the artists who have performed it in Kannada version should have been carefully selected. The debutant Siddanth has the monotonous outlook to the role throughout the film.

Ganesha a sincere student in the medical college has to use his muscle power when Madhevi insult Priya in front of the public. This gut is what Madhevi likes in Ganesha and she announces that she wants to marry him. On two occasions Ganesha warn Madhevi that his interests are different but on the third occasion on a rainy night the hell breaks out that takes the life of Madhevi. For no mistake Ganesha is targeted now by brothers of Madhevi. To continue his studies in medicine Ganesha shift his base to city. The trouble shooters follow this place for some more trouble. How Ganesha beat the enemies and the examination is climax part of the cinema ‘Minchu’.

Siddanth who is studying Hospital Management course in real life is just OK in his role. Archana is splendid in her role but not Jannith Dooda.

Ondhe Ondhu Kanasu…is the only melodious song in the film. Cinematography is average.

Yuva

A macho hero Karthik (who is somewhat like Vishal of Tamil) with expertise in Karate ala Shanker Nag of Kannada cinema has arrived in family packed action drama ‘Yuva’. Director Narendra Babu with two of his film ‘O Gulabiye’ and ‘Pallaki’ doing fairly well in the box office is now caught up with the cinema for the masses. The attention he gathers right from the first scene of the film is superb. Action that looks real with Karate exponent Karthik is mind blowing. The song, dance and family drama here and there plus splendid cinematography make this film ‘Yuva’ worth watching.

The historic place for Indian cinema Ramnagar where ‘Sholay’ was made in 1975 is utilized in a different way by director Narendra Babu. At this hilly spot Cheetah Yagnesh Shetty the Bollywood action director composed a chilling stunt erecting a stage 20 feet above the ground level. The hero coming here with the help of rope and five minutes Karate fight gives a blistering mood for the film. The mood often changing to love and family drama finally ends up with high voltage chase and action.

Jeevanprakash alias Jeeva (Karthik) an Engineering student is an angry young man. He does not tolerate wrong doings and indecency. For indecent behavior Jeeva calls a big rowdy a ‘bastard’ inside the cinema hall. In the interval of the cinema when the rowdy encounter Jeeva he beats unknowingly that he is a big rowdy. In one shot that rowdy is killed. The cop taking up the case set free Jeeva handing over his ID card as there is no witness. The incident No 2 is when one of his college mate son of a trustee of the college and opponent of Jeeva rapes a student Jeeva becomes very furious. He bashes up the wrong doer in the midst of everyone and that earns some more enemies for Jeeva. For this rightful incident he is given the Transfer Certificate from the college. Jeeva is taken to don ‘Anna’ by Sridevi his fiancé. Jeeva is startled when he comes to know that Anna (Gulshan Grover) is the father of Sridevi and he is even more startled when Anna hands over a pistol to the safety of his life.

The interesting turns for the story develops now as the past of Sridevi is revealed. The speedy growth and power of Jeeva is now a matter of concern for two rival dons and Home Minister. As all the three are connected they try to finish off Jeeva. In two separate attacks Jeeva had to use his full muscle power. The upright cop in happy mood looking at the evaporation of all crooks in the society let Jeeva free. This climax is similar to a Kannada film ‘Mani’ a debut of Yogaraj Bhat.

In the debut film Karthik has given his full potential. He is a very good action hero his physique and ability to do acrobatic stunts earns him applaud from the front benchers. The motorbike chase and the opening action scene are mind blowing. Karthik is good in delivery of dialogues and his ability to dance is superb. Madhu Sharma looks so sweet in two songs. She has strength to shape up as a good actress. Lal and Gulshan Grover have not left any mark. Young Chandrasekhar the villain of this film has bright future.

Stunts from Cheetah Yagnesh Shetty, Thriller Manju are fantastic. Saroj Khan the famous Hindi films dancer choreography of Jaga Jaga Bandha Laka Laka Thanda….a Krishna festival song is a treat to watch.

There are two more heroes in this film ‘Yuva’ – Music director Gurukiran and cameraman Santanio Tarzio. Not only for the three racy and peppy numbers of Gurukiran cameraman wielded the camera to look beautiful but the placement of camera in many angles is extraordinary.

A good treat for the week end!

Yodha

The Indian subcontinent that is affected by terrorism from Kashmir to Kanyakumari a regional Kannada film like ‘Yodha’ made by prestigious banner Rockline Productions serves some purpose and inject the need of patriotism, integrity and oneness among the common people. When a popular star like Darshan makes attacking speeches on terrorism and rowdy activities that is making the country a garbage basket there is some sense. With an action feast for fans Darshan also lend some sentiments and peppy dance numbers. This is a remake of Telugu film ‘Bose’ very effectively narrated.

Captain Ram (Darshan) saves the modesty of Asha (Nikitha). In saving Asha from lurch Captain Ram shoot the powerful person who has big clout in the political circle and intending to become a minister Patil (Ashish Vidyarthi) near the abdomen. The seriously wounded minister in the making is hurt mentally and physically and an inquiry is conducted in the army camp. Captain Ram is not interested in why he did so to his bosses because the life of innocent Asha become pathetic. Captain Ram faces the brunt and he is issued court martial orders.

Back in his family after serving the nation for five years Captain Ram is not in a position to explain his position. He is given warm welcome and he does not want to spoil the mood of members of his huge family. Ram finds Nikitha in his home town and no need to say they fall in love. There are two gangs in the city where Ram is living and both are looking for his life. They are ordered by Patil sitting in New Delhi to finish off Ram. That is not possible because Ram is intelligent, daring and he is hero too of the film.

In the later portions of second half we come to know that Ram is also on a mission in the city. He is here to trace the hideouts of gang of terrorists and putting down local criminals is like gulping water to him. The mission of Captain Ram ends and the higher officials in the Indian Army are explained the good work.

This one perfectly suits challenging star Darshan. The height and weight gives extra marks for him. He is good in dance with Nikitha. The well known south Indian actress Nikitha is bit liberal in skin show in this film. The running scenes of Nikitha kept purposefully is lapped up by front benchers. Nikitha is a good performer too. Avinash and Srinivasamurthy give great support to the film. Ashish Vidyarthi limping in this film barks a lot. Rahul Dev is wasted.

There are some excellent shots from cameraman KM Vishnuvardhana – especially the song Namma India…he has captured from top angle. The music from the veteran is a good treat to the ears and lip to lip to lip kode….song is a racy number.

The trio – Darshan, Rockline Venkatesh and Om Prakash Rao has picked a right film at the right time.

 

13 B

For the most part of this eerie diorama, what else would’ve got our audiences hackneyed? Aye! A disembodied arm chocking one’s neck, ghosts fast-flying across the ceilings and nooks of the screen space, victim shuddering over worrying vexations and lastly, everything disappearing due to spiritual powers. Merely, these were so clichéd that they fail to scare even children these days. They would term it “silly”.

But precipitously, ‘13B’ is rigorously horrendous sans these elements. ‘Man Vs Gadgets’ – Preferably, man is so obsessed with his electronic mediums, say mobile phone or television and there are no questions denying this truth.  A couple of famed quotes though not straightway to the motif has more relevance with this film. ‘When Television is Good, Nothing is better; When TV is Bad, Nothing is worse’. If Newton N Minow quotes this way, there’s something quite daintier too – ‘Art imitates Life while Life imitates Television’.

Trust us! ‘13B’ is all about a television set and nothing else that throws the most skittish things around. It can be compared to ‘One Missed Call’and 'Remote Control' but the connection ends right there.

The film opens with Manohar’s (Madhavan) felicitous family moving into a new apartment on 13th Floor. A lovable family indeed, for we happen to witness their elated life of brothers occupied in corporate companies gagging-around in, their wives (Maddy’s wife – Neetu Chandra) preparing delicious dishes and their mom (Poonam Dhillon) an ardent buff of Saas-Bahu serials not ready to miss even a minute of the episode.

If you ever thought it to be a sang-froid entertainer, you’re terribly faulty.  Why milk clabbers right from the first day in the new house?  Why do the walls go impenetrable where Gods’ statues are to be hung? Why does Manohar’s neighbor’s dog refrain from entering this house? Moreover, what is the reason behind Manohar’s snapshot alone going miserably ill-shaped on his mobile? Why doesn’t the lift work for him? And much before he could even get over these strange mishaps he’s exposed to the most grueling arena where a TV serial is forecasting what is about to happen in Manohar’s life.

Furthermore, Manohar is dump stuck when he discovers that the TV Serial is telecasted only in his house.

Vikram has played his cards right in bring out the best of thrills with unexpected twists and turns. Yeah! If you think you’re smart enough to predict what’s gonna happen next, you would fail miserably. The story keeps shifting at the right momentum that keeps everyone edge-seated.  The filmmaker blends the spine-tingling horror with equal proportions of romance, family and what not? You’ve got a bit of humorous things too… At no point, the screenplay goes dropping back. Characterizations have been brilliantly depicted right from the protagonist till the smart black dog that serves its best.

Impertinently, Madhavan is excellent in picking the right scripts and he’s sure to make it big if he continues striding on the same path. Be it his romantic appeal or in the most of mixed-up situations, he’s top-notching. Although, we don’t see other characterizations limned so perfectly, they are up with their best efforts.

In exact terms, technical aspects eclipse the characters’ show. P.C. Sriram’s mind-boggling cinematography with unique sepia-bounded tones provides the film a different shade. Though songs aren’t more appealing, the background score is awesome. If the song ‘Sab Khariyat Hai’ has a pleasant touch, there’s something different you experience every time this song comes along the show. Editing by Sreekar Prasad is so elegant that it adds up building tension in every passing moment.

On the whole, ‘13B’ is one such unforeseen flick of horrendous genre that remains in your minds post-the show. It’s the best made horror film of the decade. Along the lists of top-charting directors Ram Gopal Varma and Vikram Bhatt, who made the best horror films, here’s Vikram Kumar striking jackpot with 13B.

 

Aa Dekhen Zara

Obviously, very few auteurs composed unique fictions on the supernatural thriller genre. Well, none presumed to go for the most speculative take on such genres. Perhaps the raise of new filmmakers inspired by western flicks is coming to the forefront with groundbreaking motifs.  Aye! You know something…. It all started when the Japanese filmmaker Tsuruta Norio’s ‘Yogen’ (Premonition) topped the charts of World Box Office. If you’re all guessing what this plotline is all about, it’s there right in the title. A Newspaper carries stories that would happen the very next second once read.  Japanese flicks never left anyone getting inspired, even Hollywood.  Things got more exemplified with ‘Grudge’, ‘Ring’ and more that were marked coherent factors sans absurdities that we often notice in other films.

If ‘Yogen’ was all about newspapers, Ring - ‘A Video Tape’, ‘13B’ about TV Series, how about a phenomenal camera exposing future. Quite interesting, isn’t? Befittingly, the film top-notches with a brilliant script unforeseen ever in Indian film scenarios as it treads interesting parts.

‘Aa Dekhen Zara’ goes far-fetched with powerful characterizations and substantial screenplay, though it stumbles at few points.

Not all wildlife photographers do become Mohit Chauhan who’s prone to ‘Thrills’ n ‘Chills’ across every moment. Surely, his famous statement “a wildlife photographer in India, being charged by a tiger sometime in your life is almost a certainty” hasn’t got anything to do for a guy like Ray Acharya (Neil Nithin Mukesh).

Ray Acharya is a struggling wild life photographer who finds ‘misfortunes’ right on his shoulders. The guy hasn’t got a single paisa to run around for his every need until his grandpa dies passing on an extraordinary camera. Nevertheless, Ray who isn’t aware about the supernatural powers of this photo-cam clicks it haphazardly on Simi (Bipasha Basu), an aphrodisiac DJ who resides in the opposite apartment (this guy has been drenched with peeping-tom mania into her Kidkiyaan…). Ah! He’s stuck in appalling waters as one of the photographs depicts herself getting shot at a bar. It’s almost like Ray’s fortune gushing through boundlessly. Not just does he save his girlfriend’s life, but also turns into a millionaire overnight as he clicks at the lottery ticket, race horses to auspicate the right one.

Meanwhile, you’ve the worst baddies in town knocking his door for grabbing the sorcerous camera.  In some manner, he sorts out things through hand-to-hand combat. Wait! This isn’t a happy ending for the lad. He’s topsy-turvily frizzled with the most awful situation, where camera starts prognosticating his awful future.

When previous week’s releases catered to specified groups: either multiplex or single screen audiences, ‘Aa Dekhen Zara’ savors to the best for all… Possibly, for those buffs of ‘Final Destination Series’, it may not exceed your expectations. But, pace dropping off in the latter part adds to the negative traits though loaded with finest songs, it eclipses those diminishing factors.

Neil Nithin Mukesh is simply his best as Ray. The actor had proved his adept skills with in his debut ‘Johnny Gaddar’. He doesn’t strain himself overreacting to the riskiest situations in the frame.  Neil is cool striking limelight with a naturalistic appeal. Totting up is his elegant looks and gestures that draws commendable conclusions. Scrumptious Bipasha shares best chemistry with Neil. Rahul Dev as the baddie does a laudable performance. Musical score by Gourov and Pritham are pleasant to the ears though the camera could’ve been far better. 

Jehangir goes proficient with an unparalleled film. As mentioned, fine screenplay and powerful characters (including the strange camera) grounds the film on best remarks.

‘Aa Dekhen Zara’ - Zaroor Dekhna  Hai… At box office, the film is sure to sustain for next couple of weeks. It’s a doubtless statement, that we can ensure.