BOTTOM LINE
Entertains and bores simultaneously.
CENSOR
145 mins, ‘U/A’ Certified.
OUR RATING
What is “Kotha Janta” about?
The film is about two different people Sirish (Allu Sirish) and Suvarna (Regina) who are selfish in their own ways. They get together for a programme called Kotha Janta which is about marrying lovers. This programme gets them into trouble. Simultaneously Suvarna starts having feeling for Sirish. How the selfish issues and the problem is resolved forms the overall film.
How is Allu Sirish’s performance?
There is absolutely no improvement in terms of expressions compared to his first film. Some important scenes lose its impact thanks to his lack of expressions. Once again the voice comes to the rescue and that is the most positive that can be said about him right now.
Direction by Maruthi?
Maruthi for a change tries a subject that is a clean fun and contains high drama quotient. This change has clearly shown an effect in his pacing which is weak here compared to his previous films. The film is hilarious during the comedy sequences but gets extremely tacky and slow during the emotional scenes or sequences related to the core story of the film. This jarring transition between drama and comedy is the films as well as directors biggest undoing and weakness of the film.
Regina and Other artists performance?
Regina is the lifeline of the film and clearly the best performance given by an actor in the film by miles. She tries her best to connect the audience and succeeds largely at it too. Apart from her its the comedy actors who shine even in the bits and pieces roles given to them. Sapthagiri leads the comedy department. He is hilarious in all the scenes that he is present in and is the films biggest plus after heroine. If looked beyond the basic plot of the film he could in fact be termed the films biggest strength. Others like Madhu, Rao Ramesh, Rohini etc are adequate and they all get a scene to shine.
How is JB’s Music and others?
Music by JB is alright. Luckily for him the directors uses them properly at the right moments and with the right cuts. The result is they don’t bore the audience. Background score is fine. Cinematography is decent overall. Editing is really bad in parts and decent at best overall. But its good when dealing with hero though.
Highlights?
Comedy.
Sapthagiri.
Fresh story.
Drawbacks?
Jarring screenplay.
Unconvincing emotions by Allu Sirish.
Drags big time in parts.
What about the box office performance of the film?
The film courtesy the brand of Maruthi and banner Geetha Arts might open well but lacks the meat to survive in the long run. Whatever run the film can muster has to be before the next big release.
Did I enjoy it?
Only the comedy.
Will you recommend it?
With big hesitation.
OUR RATING
Reviewed by Siddhartha
