Movie: Vijetha
Rating: 2/5
Banner: Vaarahi Chalana Chitram
Cast: Kalyaan Dhev, Malavika Nair, Murali Sharma, Tanikella, Nasser, Pragathi, Kalyani Natarajan and others
Music Director: Harshavardhan Rameshwar
Cinematography: K K Senthil Kumar
Editor: Karthika Srinivas
Art: Ramakrishna, Monica
Producer: Rajini Korrapati
Story, screenplay, dialogues and direction: Rakesh Sashii
Release date: July 12, 2018
Yet another entry from megastar Chiranjeevi's family. We have already seen many stars from the clan in Tollywood and the latest addition is his son-in-law Kalyaan Dhev (a name that has been numerogically enhanced, in case you missed the point). Since it is his maiden movie, Vijetha has generated a lot of buzz. Also, the film is from the production house of Sai Korrepati that is known for giving quality movies.
Let’s find out whether Kalyaan Dhev has impressed the audience in his maiden film or not.
Story:
Srinivasa Rao (Murali Sharma) loves his son so much that he even takes a loan to get him a seat in engineering college in the management quota, though he works as a small-time employee in a company. But his son Ram (Kalyaan Dhev) passes with bare minimum marks and doesn’t get a job anywhere.
Ram tries to float his own company that provides surprise gifts for events. Initially, Ram’s plans go kaput, but with the confidence given by Jaitra (Malavika Nair) he succeeds.
Rest of the drama is how he makes his father’s wish come true.
Artistes’ Performances:
Kalyaan Dhev in his debut film passes with decent marks as far as looks are concerned, but as far as acting is concerned, he has miles to go.
Murali Sharma is the backbone of the film. As a caring middle-class father, he is excellent in his role. Murali Sharma brings lot of earnestness in many routine scenes.
Tanikella as Murali Sharma’s friend is good too. Malavika Nair has nothing much to do in the film. Satyam Rajesh’s comedy is okay. The friends gang has done regular job.
Technical Excellence:
The film has lavish production values and good technical values. ‘Baahubali’ fame Senthil Kumar has shot the film with bright visuals and has added some lushness to regular Hyderabad roads.
The artwork is decent. Editing should have been taut. Two songs are catchy. The song on chicken has been played all over FM stations and has grabbed the attention of audiences much before the film's release, though there is no particular romantic song that can be written about.
Highlights:
Climax portion
Drawback:
Regular story
Uneven pace
Lack of novelty
Analysis:
By using the title “Vijetha”, Chiranjeevi’s old movie, the director gave subtle hints that it is all about a son making his father proud.
The debut movie of Chiranjeevi’s son-in-law also runs on similar lines – a son making his father proud and helping in his sister’s marriage.
The premise of new “Vijetha” is all about an aimless son realising how his father sacrificed his passion for photography to keep the family running. How the son rewards his father is told by the director in ordered style.
Familiar story, regular scenes, outdated jokes, lack of gripping romantic thread are the curse for this sentimental drama, though emotions have worked in the final portion.
The film begins on a dull note and goes on narrating hero spending late nights with his friend’s gang and falling for the girl next door, his efforts to get job, etc. The songs, the jokes, the scenes all run in predictable manner during the first half.
An incident in protagonist’s life not only changes him, but also makes the movie better. The emotional quotient (though regular) are the better portions of this flick.
However, it all depends on whether you connect to this thread or not because they are time-tested scenes, nothing new.
Murali Sharma with his performance has made many dull scenes better. He is the pillar to this movie which is otherwise drab and routine.
Director Rakesh Sashii has failed in weaving a better romantic thread. Hero trying to impress heroine by doing household chores, or helping her mother… such old romantic sequences that '70's directors too shy away from including them these days.
All in all, while the film proves that Chiranjeevi’s son-in-law made a neat debut, the movie doesn’t offer anything new. This is strictly for those who like sentimental dramas.
Bottom-line: Sentiment Launch