Film: Andari Bandhuvaya
Rating: 3.25/5
Banner: Utopia Entertainers
Cast: Sharwanand, Padmapriya, Naresh, RK, M S Narayana, Krishna Bhagawan, Vijay Sai, Pragathi, Jeeva and others
Music: Anup Rubens
Written By: Balabhadrapatruni Ramani
Cinematographer: Gummadi Jayakrishna
Direction: Chandra Siddartha
Producer: RK, Chandra Siddartha
Release date: 14/05/2010

It has been quite a while since we saw Chandra Siddartha make his presence felt after the unforgettable ‘Aa Naluguru’, here he is with his somewhat comeback venture so let us have a look.

Story:
Nandu (Sharwanand) hails from a village and he comes to the city. He has a helpful nature and doesn’t hesitate to go out of his way to help others. His colleague Paddu (Padmapriya) is stingy to the core and believes in money saving. A situation leads Nandu to take a portion for rent in the home of Paddu and on another instance, he rushes to see his father (Naresh) in the village. Paddu accompanies him and it is here she experiences the human values and touch. New issues crop up and how Nandu and Paddu face them forms the rest of the story.

Performances:
Sharwanand has been evolving as an actor with each passing movie. After his commendable performance in ‘Prasthanam’ this is yet another valuable performance in his career. He is getting better and better. He performed with great élan in many scenes and portrayed emotions wonderfully.

Padmapriya is a vision of beauty and though her low economic character makes her poor, the natural beauty still glows at all possible sequences. She has proved her mettle in the acting department as well. She appeared like senior Suhasini in some scenes.

Naresh has come up with one of his best performances in the recent past. He fits the bill well and there are few touching moments he gives.

Krishna Bhagawan was outright hilarious. His timing and his style of dialogue delivery gives splits of laughter. He is proving to be one of the most reliable comedians for the Telugu audience and is simply ‘unbeatable’.

The others were quite impressive. Especially RK, the TV artiste who plays the role of Padmapriya’s sister wearing sari, the NRI groom, they have given an impressive performance. Pragathi was natural and others were okay.

Analysis:
It’s a joy to watch a good movie 48 hours before the world watches it, in a premiere show. It’s a movie made by the director of ‘Aa Naluguru’. I starting watching the movie with closed mind-set at the outset. For my eyes those have watched grandeur of artificial settings on screen in many films, initially, it sounded dull and low. I looked at the hero in this film as ‘perfectionist material’ who may bring boredom through out the movie. But slowly, something captivated me and I was drowned in the bliss of humanity. I could see a Utopian Village, Utopian hero and Utopian thought…! It went on as a pleasant journey on the waters of humanity.

Any audience watches a movie connecting himself to the hero on screen. He enjoys the bliss of watching something that hero does, which he cannot do in real life. That has been the success of any cinema since 77 years in India. That has been the connection between the screen hero and common audience. If that were the case, in stead of getting connected to the violent and vulgar elements in a hero, it sounds certainly better to connect with the humanity, sacrifice and service motive in him that can be practiced in daily life.

‘Andari Bandhuvaya’ is one such movie which happens very seldom on Telugu screen. Such films should reach every eye and then surely it reaches its heart. Indeed, it’s a movie that culminates the essence of humanity with eyes and heart. One needs to look at the world with the eyes of this protagonist and need to speak with the heart of the same.

It’s a practical Vedanta, the movie showcases. ‘Live for others to enjoy the true nectar of life’ is the epitome of this film. Many dialogues and scenes in this film cut the heart deep and groove-in a pure form of thought. Writer Balabhadrapaatruni Ramani deserves right mention here.

“Pakshulaki konchem dhanyam, pasuvulaki konchem ghraasam, manishiki konchem saayam- ade jeevitam”- What a quotable dialogue?!

“Bathakadame kaadu, chaavadam kooda costly ye”- What a reality if we look at the present expensive last days on Corporate Hospital beds?!

“Nee Daggara koorchuni kaasepu edavochchaa?!”- What a human angle?! The scene between Padmapriya and Sharwanand is indeed moving.

The film is a feel good treat and it gives a strong message of how a positive outlook in life is required in today’s commercial and materialistic world. It might be too unrealistic to expect the viewers to transform once they see the film but even if one implements or demonstrates atleast 5% of the kindness then the world will be a much better place to live in. This is a clean family entertainer with its own element of humor, sentiment, drama and attachment. The dialogues are the major highlight of the movie while the script is very strong and intense. Screenplay was effective and it was supported well with the background score. Though two songs were non situational, they were well taken and quite melodious. Lyrics by Chaitanya Prasad are sensible and filled with good poetry. Editing was smooth. Costumes were suitable to the backdrop and the art department was realistic. The film has enough substance to make it big in film festival or bag few awards. All it takes is some gentle effort by the makers to promote it in the right manner. This is suitable for all genre of audience and everyone will have a point or two to take back home and use it in their life. Credit must be given to Chandra Siddartha for coming up with a thoughtful venture.

Youngsters should watch it and parents should make their children watch it to cultivate human values.

Bottom Line: Don’t Miss It…..

Film: Rama Rama Krishna Krishna
Rating: 2.75/5
Banner: Sri Venkateswara Creations
Cast: Arjun, Ram, Priya Anand, Bindu Madhavi, Nasser, Banerjee, Sayaji Shinde, Brahmanandam, Srinivas Reddy, Pragathi, Bharath, Gracy Singh and others
Dialogues: M Ratnam
Music: M M Keeravani
Cinematography: Sekhar V Joseph
Editing: Gautham Raju
Story, screenplay, direction: Srivass
Producer: Dil Raju
Release date: 12/05/2010

Handsome hero Ram has teamed up with action king Arjun and has arrived with an interesting title ‘Rama Rama Krishna Krishna’.

Ramakrishna (Ram) is a daring guy of the village and rash guy but he respects his father (Nasser) and his ideals. A problem in the family leads him to face the Mumbai don Pawar (Vineeth Kumar)and Ramakrishna discovers the link between Pawar and Ashok Deva (Arjun) who lives in the same village with his sister Priya (Priya). Rama Krishna has a maradalu (Bindu Madhavi) who runs behind him. Who is Ashok Deva and what does Ramakrishna do to solve the problems, whom does Rama Krishna marry at last forms the rest of the story.

Arjun was elegant as usual and he has a composed performance. More than his act, it is his powerful screen presence that always gives an appeal to the audience. He was effective.

Ram looks handsome and gave his performance as required. Though he has put his best efforts, he was unable to deliver the voltage during violent scenes.

Priya was chirpy and beautiful. She has also shown her oomph factor in the songs and her asset is her eyes. However, she must look at building few extra pounds of flesh to get that real sex appeal.

Bindu Madhavi was alright, she didn’t have much of a role but she did her bit providing the visual feast wherever required.

Vineeth Kumar has good expressions and has a streak of comedy face which makes it interesting.

Nasser was natural, Banerjee was neat, Brahmanandam’s comedy lacked appeal, Srinivas Reddy was standard, Sayaji was usual, the actor who did the role of Siva got a meaty role which he did well but he needs to work on his dialogue delivery, the rest of the cast added value as required.

The film runs on a beaten track and there is nothing new or exciting that it offers. There were instances wherein the audience predicted what happens next. The director has picked few bits from here and there as well.

• The killing of Gracy Singh is a scene that was seen in Ab Tak Chappan/ Siddham
• Arjun’s flash back has a tinge of ‘Basha’
• The scene wherein the swamijis search for hero reminds of ‘Bangaru Bullodu’,
• The last action sequence reminds of ‘Magadheera’.

Graphics were inferior, especially in the car chase sequences where they land at any given place they want without a scratch (wish we had such cars in real, it would have solved the traffic problem).

The script was stale, the screenplay was weak, background score was good but songs were a disappointment.

Cinematography was jarring. Editing could have been better. The good side of the story is the concept of ‘Rama-Krishna’ amulet and the serene presence of Arjun which gives a grace to the film. If only the makers had focused on strengthening the comedy track and providing some unexpected twists, the film would have created an impact. Otherwise, it is just another ‘run of the mill’ story without any variety.

This may survive if other films don’t work. But the audience those come out from theatres exclaim’ ayyo rama..baaboi krishna’…!!