BOTTOM LINE
A Dull Affair
OUR RATING
2.25/5
CENSOR
‘UA’
What Is the Film About?
Naveen (Sudheer Babu) is a blockbuster director with five back-to-back successful films. However, he faces criticism for his last outing, Missile. While drawing inspiration for his next, Naveen discovers a showreel of Alekya (Krithi Shetty). It turns out she is a doctor and hates movies with a passion, as do her parents.
Why do Alekya and her family hate movies? How Naveen manages to convince Alekya? What’s the reaction of the parents? Is there a twist in the tale? All of these sets up the movie’s basic premise.
Performances
Sudheer Babu plays a director in the movie, looking and acting like a hero. Not that it’s an issue, but it sticks out slightly. The looks are fab, as usual, and there is a lot of effort on the actor’s part.
The first half offers nothing dramatic, and Sudheer Babu is in his familiar terrain. He gets the scope to act during the second half, where one can see a genuine effort from him during emotional moments. The slight problem here is the ‘effort’ and ‘genuineness’ is visible on screen. It is not a knock on him but only suggests where to improve further.
Krithi Shetty has been doing movies non-stop. Among the recent ones she has been part of, Aa Ammayi Gurinchi Meeku Cheppali offers her a meaty role. However, she fails to knock it out of the park due to uninteresting and tiresome characterisation.
There is an inherent dullness in Krithi Shetty’s character due to a specific event. It must come across strongly and show pain and intensity, but that is not the case here. The way the character keeps dillydallying leaves one frustrated rather than empathising with it. The compelling drama is missing as a result. It still is okay, but there was a lot of potential here.
Analysis
Mohanakrishna Indraganti of Sammohanam and V fame directs Aa Ammayi Gurinchi Meeku Cheppali. He has picked up a set-up similar to Sammohanam but has come out with a new story this time around.
Without wasting any time, Mohanakrishna gets into the crux of things at the start of the movie. He sets up the characters and the world neatly and clearly. One is intrigued by the process as the take-off looks bit different.
However, things stagnate as quickly as a lot of time is wasted in ‘convincing’. One gets it that hurrying through this part would make the whole thing look rushed and impact the second half. The problem here is the writing. It is flat, and the subtle humour doesn’t work as often as it should to hold the interest.
It is only towards the pre-interval and interval blocks that some momentum is built. The drama genuinely interests, and a neat twist does the rest. It makes one curious enough to see what lies ahead.
The second half starts on a sombre and dramatic note. The beginning almost depresses, but it is the foundation of the core drama ahead. Again, like the comedy in the first half, the writing works in parts. It fails to leave the desired impact.
The story, out of a novel idea, turns predictable after a point. What still holds attention is the emotions. There are occasional moments that connect. But the patchy writing doesn’t elevate the proceedings. The drama never truly engulfs and leaves one underwhelmed. An inconsistency is felt, and that’s where Aa Ammayi Gurinchi Meeku Cheptha falters.
Overall, Aa Ammayi Gurinchi Meeku Cheptha has a novel premise. But, the writing and uneven narrative fail to hold the attention and underwhelm. We end up with a mostly disappointing fare that promised so much more.
Performances by Others Actors
There are limited artists in the movie. Besides the lead pair, we have a couple of comedians, and character actors play important roles. Vennela Kishore and Rahul Ramakrishna are the former set, whereas Srikanth Iyenger plays the father.
Vennela Kishore is alright, considering what’s given to him. Rahul Ramakrishna is okay playing a writer hating commercial cinema. It could have been utilised in a much better way. Avasarala Srinivas comedy track is brief but, decent. The rest of the cast is fine in small parts.
Music and Other Departments?
Aa Ammayi Gurinchi Meeku Cheppali is a well-made film. The technical departments have all done an adequate job, barring the music director Vivek Sagar. The songs lack the magic of his previous combination (Sammohanam) with Indraganti Mohanakrishna. There is an ‘Item song’ that feels so out of place in the narrative. The background score is acceptable, though.
PG Vinda, a frequent collaborator with Mohankrishna Indraganti, works as the cinematographer for Aa Ammayi Gurinchi Meeku Cheppali. He maintains a classy tone and vibe throughout. Marthand K Venkatesh’s editing is decent. The writing should have been better, as mentioned earlier.
Highlights?
Story Idea
Interval
Some Emotional Moments
Drawbacks?
Flat Narrative
Writing, Mostly
Music (Songs)
Did I Enjoy It?
Few parts in the second half
Will You Recommend It?
No
Aa Ammayi Gurinchi Meeku Cheppali Movie Review by M9News
