Chitralahari Movie ReviewBOTTOM LINE
Success In Few Parts Only

OUR RATING
2.25/5

CENSOR
‘U’ Certified, 2 hrs 11 mins.


Sai Dharam Tej -Chitralahari Movie ReviewWhat Is the Film About?
Vijay (Sai Dharam Tej) is chasing success but on his terms. It means he has to struggle a lot. During the same time, he loves Lahari (Kalyani Priyadarshan), an indecisive and easily manipulated girl. What happens when the love also eludes Vijay is the basic story of the movie?

How Is Sai Dharam Tej’s Performance?
Sai Dharam Tej has gone for a makeover, and it shows in Chitralahari. It’s not just the physical appearance; the actor has tried his best to show the difference in body language and diction as well. The result is very much visible on the screen.

Without any doubt, Chitralahari presents the most subtle act of Sai Dharam Tej. There is also an undercurrent intensity which adds to the screen presence. These are still at surface level and needs to be further improved as far as depth is concerned. Strictly looking at what is on offer there are multiple scenes, especially in the second half that show maturity. The climax as said previously required higher levels of intensity, as it is, it is okay. Overall, Chitralahari is the right way to go for Sai Dharam Tej, and he should try and increase the difficulty level in emotions one film at a time.


Director Kishore TirumalaDirection by Kishore Tirumala?
Chitralahari is Kishore Tirumala’s fourth film and based on the last three outings it can be said that the director is settling into a formula. It is simple; he is picking a routine template from the past decades, mostly the 90’s so far, and is updating it to the present times. Chitralahri is no different as it would remind us of the jobless youth struggling to make a mark template.

The point to note here is that the jobless youth is a universal issue, it is not restricted to a decade, but the way the clichés are built in the story and in general, to drive to the point is where the formula shows up. The good thing is the director has a clear understanding of the whole process or at least that is impression one gets, and that is why Kishore Tirumala is able to tweak them wherever necessary with his writing and staging of the situation. It is the best part of Chitralahari.

Where Kishore Tirumala goes wrong is the love story. The entire track feels like an add-on or forcefully inserted into the narrative. One can imagine the entire film without the love story and still the basic plot, and the narrative won’t be harmed. And that’s when we realize that the actual content of the movie is elementary and less.

Strictly concerning the narrative, the second half is better compared to the first, even though it is the first half which offers more entertainment. There is a forceful attempt to keep the whole thing classy and subtle. But, the actual dramatic nature of the script keeps popping out now and then. It creates a tonal inconsistency that brings down the overall enjoyment. Despite very regular content, one gets a feeling that the film is too dense.

In the end, Chitralahari has moments that no doubt engage. There is good casting and writing is neat whether or not it engages. But, when seen Chitralahari as a whole, something is amiss. There is a lacking, and that is the failure of the movie, making it a below-par outing.


Kalyani Priyadarshini - Chitralahari ReviewKalyani and Others?
Kalyani Priyadarshan is given a decent character, but the way it is developed in extremely dumb. She looks good and acts decently, but the impact is missing. Nivetha Pethuraj has a better relatable character which gets on one’s nerve initially. However, the role gets better, and she also emotes well. Sunil gets the best part in his comeback as a supporting artist also providing comic relief. Sadly, it has not been fully utilised. Posani Krishna Murali has got a meaningful role, and he delivers. Vennela Kishore is wasted. The rest have too small parts to talk about let alone create an impression.

Music Director Devi Sri PrasadMusic and Other Departments?
Usually, a music director recycles his songs and repeats the tunes, but Devi Sri Prasad does the same with the background music here. Both the songs and bgm’s feel repetitive, but as is with Devi Sri Prasad, he makes them work. The cinematography is neat. The editing should have been much better. A cohesive narrative with a flow of emotions is missing. There are plenty of good dialogues, writing in essence, therefore, is the best part.


Nivetha -Pethuraj - Chitralahari Movie ReviewHighlights?
Sai Dharam Tej
Writing

Drawbacks?
Uneven Narrative
Love Track


Sunil -Alternative Take
Either remove the love story as a whole and stick to the point or better integration of the track with a neat conclusion related to the central conflict. The latter would mean rewriting it from the beginning.

Did I Enjoy It?
Yes in parts

Will You Recommend It?
Yes but with huge reservations

Chitralahari Review by Siddartha

Chitralahari Movie Review

Final Report:

Chitralahari is another misfire from Sai Tej. The movie has a better first half in comparison but overall it’s a below average fare. No emotional connect in love track, weak comedy and a familiar loser story are the major drawbacks. Visit back for our frank review soon.

– Vijay (Sai Tej) intentionality runs into an accident to prove his device ‘Accident Alert System’ would save him. A suicide attempt case gets filed on him. After some arguments in the court, judge thinks he did no mistake and releases him. The movie comes to an end here.

– Vijay (Sai Tej) gets another rejection for his startup idea. He started to lose the hope he always had.

– Vennela Kishore is trying hard to bring some laughter.

– Chitralahari second half started. Nivetha Pethuraj is trying to help Vijay (Sai Tej) to find an investor for his startup idea Accident Alert System.

First Half Report:

Chitralahari first half is good in parts. Sai Tej’s beard makeover added some freshness. Overall, the first half of the movie is strictly average with some routine comedy and runs on the lines of a familiar love track and a loser story. The second half is key.

– Lahari breaks up with Vijay after seeing him working in a Tv service center. Interval.

– Brahmaji, head of a corporate tries to steal Vijay’s innovative startup idea but he refuses the proposal. Vijay wants to prove himself without selling his idea.

– Differences in Vijay’s love life and the bad luck continues to haunt him with everything he is doing.

– Posani’s son Vijay (Sai Tej) is a loser in life. But, interestingly he has some good and innovative ideas but not getting successful. He is in love with Lahari (Kalyani Priyadarshan).

– Chitralahari show started with a court scene. Vijay (Sai Dharam Tej) slips into his flashback before the judge announces the judgement.

Chitralahari Preview:

Chitralahari US Premier live updates will begin at 6 pm EST (3.30 am IST).

Supreme Hero Sai Dharam Tej is back with a new outing Chitralahari. He is joining hands with successful filmmaker Kishore Tirumala for the film. Successful production house Mythri Movie Makers produces the movie.

Sai Dharam Tej is struggling off late to get a proper hit. Some of his high expected movies have disappointed at the box office. He is pinning all the hopes on the director Kishore Tirumala to bail him out. Devi Sri Prasad has given the right momentum with thumping music. It has raised the expectation of the movie. The theatrical trailer has further added to it.

On the production side, Mythri Movie Makers, despite their immense success have had a couple of failures recently. They are also looking to bound back big time. Chitralahari is arriving at the right moment as the elections have got over in Telugu states. All it needs is a good talk, and the rest will fall into place.

Chitralahari stars Sai Dharam Tej in the lead. Kalyani Priyadarshan and Nivetha Pethuraj are the female leads. Sunil who is making a slow transition into comedy and supporting parts will have a critical role in the movie. The premiere shows of Chitralahari are going to happen on April 11th in the US in a record number of screens for Sai Dharam Tej. In the Telugu states, the commercial entertainer hits screens on April 12th.