BOTTOM LINE
Only God can save Mukunda.
CENSOR
“UA” certified -142 Mins
OUR RATING
What is the film about?
The film in short is story of a youth called Mukunda (Varun Tej). What he does, whom he meets and where his journey ends is what the film is about.
How is Varun Tej’s performance?
Varun Tej looks good, is tall and has nice voice. These plus lend him a decent screen presence. In Mukunda this is the most positive that can be said about him. In every other department, be it dancing or emotions, he appears weak. The character had the scope to show intensity but may be that is too much to expect from a debut venture. There is always scope to improve and one wishes him all the best for his future endeavours.
Direction By Srikanth Addala?
Srikanth Addala has once again come with a story rooted in Godavari districts. His grip on the milieu is unquestionable and that is one of the biggest strengths of the movie. The film is devoid of the usual formula format. It does have a formulaic structure in place but that is used more as a set up to narrate the events in a realistic way possible with touch of commercial elements. The first half is passable on this score. But the problem lies in second half where the love and politics mixture leaves one confused. The merging of these different genres isn’t done that neatly and the film therefore is completely derailed by the end. Even within his films the second half could be the weakest among all Srikanth Addala films.
Pooja Hegde and others performance?
Pooja Hegde looks gorgeous and ethereal in the film. However except for dancing in songs and looking at hero in few scenes she has nothing to do in the film. It is Rao Ramesh who gets major screen time on par with hero and together with hero, they are the backbone of the film that give the viewer some interest. Rao Ramesh is good as one would expect but few dialogues that are overdone make him almost look like a cartoonish character. Prakash Raj in small role is effective in conveying what he wants to, it is an entirely different issue whether he makes sense in the overall narrative. Raghu Babu is hilarious. Praveen and Ali in small roles are entertaining. Abhimanyu Singh is wasted. There are many character actors as part of friends group and besides Rao Ramesh and they all do their parts well.
Mickey J Mayer and other departments?
Music and background score by Mickey J Mayer is good. Cinematography is superb but the editing is weak. Picturization of couple of songs are very good, the rest which includes dream sequences are boring. Dialogues are simultaneously a major highlights and biggest drawback of the film.
Highlights?
Novel presentation.
Dialogues.
Music and BGM.
First half.
Election sequence.
Drawbacks?
Lack of solid story.
Repetitive plot points.
Second half barring few sequences.
Alternative take:
Looking at the film one would have various alternative takes where different the impact of different emotions could be heightened. The love track for example could have been better integrated and executed in the main narrative and it would have hold the audience attention in a string way. While it is still the same currently the impact is obviously missing and hence the alternate take.
Did I enjoy it?
Yes, in parts.
Will you recommend it?
Yes but only to those who have loads of patience and time on hand.
OUR RATING
Reviewed by Siddhartha
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