Movie: Prem Kumar
Rating: 1.5/5
Banner: Sharanga Entertainments
Cast: Santosh Soban, Rashi Singh, Krishna Chaitanya, Ruchitha Sadineni, Krishna Teja, Sudarshan, Ashok Kumar, Sri Vidya, and others
Writers: Abhishek Maharshi & Anirudh Krishnamurthy
Music: S. Anant Srikar
DOP: Rampy Nandigam
Editor: Garry BH
Producer: Shiva Prasad Panneeru
Director: Abhishek Maharshi
Release Date: Aug 18, 2023
Despite his earnest endeavors, Sanotsh Soban has yet to attain success. Therefore, his new film "Prem Kumar" has made its debut in theaters today without much anticipation.
Let's ascertain whether the film possesses enough substance to potentially bring him the desired success.
Story:
Prem Kumar (Santosh Soban) co-owns a detective agency alongside his friend (Krishna Teja), specializing in dissolving marriages and other relationships. In the past, he witnessed a bride fleeing from her own wedding.
Prem Kumar himself was on the brink of marrying Netra (Rashi Singh), but his plans were disrupted when a movie star named Rising Star Roshan (Krishna Chaitanya) entered the scene and swept her away. Consequently, Prem Kumar remains single.
While pursuing his career as a detective, he crosses paths with Netra once again, now working as a wedding planner. However, instead of pursuing Netra, Roshan now aims to marry Angana (Ruchita Sadhineni).
This sets the stage for questions: What choices will Netra make? Will she reconsider marrying Prem Kumar?
Artistes’ Performances:
Santosh Soban has done it in his usual manner. His scenes with Sudarshan and Krishna Teja are more funny.
Rashi Singh and Ruchita have done well in their roles.
Technical Excellence:
The technical output is sufficient. The producer has spent a significant amount of money to create a professional-looking production.
Highlights:
Final sequence
Drawback:
Silly narration
Amateurish direction
Forced laughs
Analysis
In many Indian films, the hero often swoops in to rescue the heroine from a wedding where she's being forced to marry someone else. However, these movies rarely delve into the inner conflict experienced by the groom left behind at the altar.
"Prem Kumar" drew inspiration from these conventional setups. The central character in the film is a groom who gets abandoned on his wedding day. Santosh Soban's character, portraying the male lead, becomes the man whose bride is taken away by the hero. The concept holds promise on paper.
Yet, a successful film requires more than just a clever idea – it needs a compelling narrative. This is where the film falters. Within the first twenty minutes, it's evident that the director lacks the essential storytelling skills.
Initially, we witness the hero's efforts to salvage his own wedding after his bride flees. Subsequently, the film takes disjointed turns involving his drunken escapades with a friend, establishing a detective agency, and encounters with Rising Star and Angana.
Regrettably, the film lacks a cohesive narrative. Scenes come and go without leaving a mark or building anticipation for what's to come.
The hero's detective agency pursuits and attempts to mend his relationship feel prolonged and contrived. None of these events unfold organically. Thankfully, the film's only redeeming quality emerges towards the end.
In summary, "Prem Kumar" joins the ranks of uninteresting films featuring Santosh Soban. It's likely to be added to the list of his past flops. Audiences entering theaters should brace themselves for a painfully unengaging experience.
Bottom Line: Amateurish and Foolish