Initial release: 4 May 2018
Director: Vakkantham Vamsi
Music director: Vishal–Shekhar
Production company: Ramalakshmi Cine Creations
Language: Telugu
Producers: Nagendra Babu, Sridhar Lagadapati
Story:
Soldier Surya’s life ambition is to guard Indian border. Filled with tremendous patriotism, Surya also has anger management issue, which leads to his suspension from Army. Surya’s boss, while ordering his suspension, gives him another chance to join back Army if certified by a psychology professor. To get his certification, Surya reaches Vizag.
Rest of the story is about whether Surya succeeds in his task or continues with his original character of poor anger management
Performances:
Allu Arjun who is known for Happy Go lucky characters, transforms himself to a matured performer as Surya. Not only turning in his career best performance but also his appearance looked like a real-life soldier with perfectly toned physique. In many shots, Allu Arjun has undergone tremendous physical hardship. Anu Emmanuel as Varsha is glamorous, but her character has less screen time in this film.
Senior hero Arjun Sarja as a psychology professor got a key role. Boman Irani, Posani got smaller roles and nothing to talk about. Tamil senior actor Sharat Kumar, Pradeep Rawat and Thakur Anoop singh are part of the villain’s team which is good.
Analysis:
‘Sticking to the Core point’ Versus ‘Inserting all commercial ingredients’ is every director’s dilemma. Many succeeded by taking one of the approaches, but the real struggle is for the ones who try to sail on both boats. Vamshi Vakkantam, the debutante director, tried hard to stick to the point but couldn’t. Inserting family and love tracks deviates the film from the core point. He starts off with fire with Surya’s episodes in Dehradun giving an adrenaline rush but the fizzle subdues sooner once he shifts to vizag. Logic takes a toll during the scenes of army. The condition (to get certified) laid for Surya to rejoin the army in itself is illogical. Surya’s original character would have stayed, if 21 days challenge broke towards the period ending. Once Surya rediscovers himself, the story takes preachy path. Saikumar’s character, his family thread is the foundation for second half proceedings. The unconventional climax is not so impressive. However, director did a good job in designing Allu Arjun body language especially few scenes.
‘Oh Sanika ‘, ‘Lover Also‘songs came out well but Allu Arjun’s signature mass song ‘ Iraga Iraga ‘ fails to impress. There are two emotional songs in second half.
Writer and Director Vakkantham Vamshi’s basic plot is fine but he could not deliver the whole package in convincing manner during execution. The characterization written for Hero could have been better in practical, if he stuck to the original point of anger. He tried to insert love, family episodes into this otherwise serious film. Production values by Nagababu, Lagadapati Sridhar, Bunny Vaas banners are adequate. Starcast, for original locations they had spent a lot