BOTTOM LINE
Boring Sakhi
OUR RATING
2/5
CENSOR
‘U’ Certified, 1h 58m
What Is the Film About?
An Ex- Colonel (Jagapathi Babu) wants to unearth natural talent from his village and make them champions at the national level. The movie’s basic plot is how Sakhi (Keerthy Suresh), branded as ‘Bad Luck’ and gets selected and ends up as ‘Good Luck’.
The love story with Goli Raju aka Rama Rao (Aadhi Pinishetty) and the jealousy of Soori (Rahul Ramakrishna) as co-participant forms the subplots for the sports drama.
Performances
Keerthy Suresh brings nothing special to the table playing a sportsperson. It is more of her vibrant, chirpy, wide-eyed persona that works well for the innocent village belle role that gets the focus. She is okay in those, as one would expect from her. Otherwise, there is nothing out of the ordinary or arresting dramatic act from her.
Analysis
Nagesh Kukunoor of Iqbal and Dor fame helms Good Luck Sakhi. He is a writer cum director who has several critically acclaimed films under his belt. Good Luck Sakhi sees his return to the sports genre after more than a decade and a half. Incidentally, the movie also marks Kukunoor’s debut in Telugu cinema.
Like any other sports film, Good Luck Sakhi comes with challenges related to the background, sport and drama wherein the trick is to give them all a refreshing and engaging spin overcoming the predictabilities and clichés. Nagesh Kukunoor knows them all too well, as he previously dabbled the genre. Unfortunately, despite the experience, he struggles to make a gripping narrative.
The problem with Good Luck Sakhi is evident in the starting portions itself. The narrative is flat, and it is mainly due to the writing. The screenplay moves, ticking all the expected boxes, but when the content doesn’t have the energy to grab attention, the writing is clear on the wall.
Barring a few scenes that help set an authentic village milieu mood, nothing else registers in Good Luck Sakhi. The weak characters on top of it don’t support the cause.
Good Luck Sakhi’s narrative comprises sports drama and a love story between Sakhi and Goli Raja. Neither of them manages to give a high emotionally. The routine issues which bring about the conflict are the biggest issue here. The interval sequence is a crucial example of the same.
However, nothing highlights the plight of Good Luck Sakhi in its entirety than the qualification and the subsequence in the second half. As it is, the whole build-up lacks energy, but the way the conversion and drama are set up between Sakhi and rival is peaks of blandness. The idea of sportsmanship is correct, but its presentation is devoid of drama.
The same is the case with the love story. The age gap thing is brought into the play, but there is no real drama related to it. The whole thing is just a minor blip in the end. It merely serves the purpose of screenplay extension.
Overall, Good Luck Sakhi is a boring and bland sports drama. The writing gets the primary blame, besides weak characterization and insipid drama. What we have is a film that is neither arty (in an entirely authentic and rooted sense) nor commercial. It is a film that can be easily skipped if you are an avid watcher of the genre.
Others?
Aadhi Pinishetty, Jagapathi Babu and Rahul Ramakrishna play the three vital roles besides the main lead Keerthy Suresh. Aadhi is given an exciting background of a theatre artist, but it isn’t explored much. He plays a typical lovelorn guy whose misunderstandings leads to unnecessary complications. Aadhi is alright in the part.
Jagapathi Babu plays a positive character. He is fine playing a coach with a few inspirational lines here and there. It is a welcome change for him and the viewers to see him play such a part. Rahul Ramakrishna feels like a miscast initially. But he manages to be okay later. The rest of the cast is forgettable.
Music and Other Departments?
The songs by Devi Sri Prasad are on the expected line and don’t register much. The background score is comparatively better. Chirantan Das’s cinematography could have been better. The editing by Srikar Prasad is alright. There are issues with dubbing, especially in the first half, where few dialogues are inaudible.
Highlights?
Village Milieu
Short Length
Drawbacks?
Flat Narration
Weak Characters
Writing
Routine Drama
Alternative Take
There is nothing much to do alternatively story-wise in the sports drama. The only thing that needs to be done here is better writing and increasing the dramatic conflict. The sports sequences involving shooting could be made thrillingly, as well.
Did I Enjoy It?
No
Will You Recommend It?
No
Good Luck Sakhi Telugu Movie Review by Siddartha Toleti
Final Report:
Good Luck Sakhi continues to remain flat and boring in the second half, as well. Weak characterization, conflict and writing by Nagesh Kukunoor mixed with sports drama clichés make it a bland affair.
— It’s time for finals. The movie is heading to the climax.
— Goli Raju (Aadhi Pinisetty) is unable to perform in his stage acts due to a misunderstanding with his childhood friend Sakhi.
— Sakhi qualifies for the state level finals just like that!
First Half Report:
The first half of Good Luck Sakhi is flat with weak character sketches. Nagesh Kukunoor’s writing is uninspiring, but the local milieu is captured authentically.
Everything depends on the second half to see where Good Luck Sakhi ends eventually.
— Sakhi is getting ready for real competition. Colonel Jagapathi Babu continues to groom her skills. Interval.
— Goli Raju (Aadhi Pinisetty) encourages Sakhi to participate in shooting selections. She gets selected along with Rahul Rama Krishna.
— Coach (Jagapathi Babu) returns from Army. He wants to train sharp shooters in a village but the reason for it is not known yet.
— Show started with the “Bad luck” Sakhi ( Keerthy Suresh ) song.
Good Luck Sakhi Review, U.S. Premiere Live Updates will begin shortly. Stay tuned!
Critically acclaimed director Nagesh Kukunoor is coming with a new film Good Luck Sakhi. It stars Keerthy Suresh in the lead along with Aadhi Pinisetty and Jagapathi Babu in important roles. The movie is set in sports backdrop and will hit screens all over on January 28th.
2022 has begun on a sombre note for Telugu cinema. The issues with Corona and occupancy has meant not many films arrived as announced initially. Good Luck Sakhi is one movie that came unannounced after several delays. The lack of movies as competition is its biggest advantage.
Nagesh Kukunoor, who helms Good Luck Sakhi, has been in the industry for more than two decades. He has a unique niche and style in his films which works make the movie memorable. The makers of Good Luck Sakhi would be hoping for something similar here.
One of the biggest names in Telugu cinema, Dil Raju is presenting the movie. It is part of his attempt to encourage small movies. If it’s working it will only enhance his brand name further.
Lack of worthwhile movies at cinemas, and the presence of known cast and banner backing should work to the advantage of Good Luck Sakhi. Its music is provided by none other than Devi Sri Prasad.
As always, M9News will bring you first on net Good Luck Sakhi review, genuinely and honestly. Keep watching this space for our updates.
