BOTTOM LINE
Dancing On Cliché Path
OUR RATING
2.5/5
CENSOR
‘U/A’ Certified, 2 hrs 10 mins
What Is the Film About?
Lakshmi (Ditya Bhande) is interested in dancing, but her mother is strictly against it. What happens when Lakshmi joins dancing competition Pride Of India Jr’s with the help of VK (Prabhu Deva) is what the film is all about?
How Is Prabhu Deva’s Performance?
Prabhu Deva is perfect for the role of Krishna aka VK who is a coach cum mentor to the kids. Of course, it is nothing new for him as he has done a similar character in another dance-based movie series in Bollywood. It feels repetitive, but for the dances which are always a treat coming from Prabhu Deva. There are no scenes that stand out acting wise. It just serviceable, at best.
Direction by A. L. Vijay?
Director AL Vijay picks different genres and packs it with all the clichés that are possible. He shoots them well with best technicians on board, but in the end, leaves us with an unsatisfying below average flick that carries no emotions. It has been the case with most of the films in the director’s career with Lakshmi being the latest addition.
After a serious ghost horror film Kanam, AL Vijay has picked a dance based Lakshmi. Right from the beginning, there are clichés galore, and that continues until the end. The only difference here unlike some of his past films is the dance and likeable actors (kids) on screen. They exude warmth, however predictable it may be, that is easy to connect.
The story of the movie is wafer thin; we know right at the beginning how it is going to end. So, it is all about the journey and how well the key moments are handled. The director keeps the narrative simple and basic and focuses more on the dancing and its choreography. The dances are good, but having them is not enough because of it being a movie and not a dance reality show. Even those have better drama frankly compared to what is seen in Lakshmi. The simplicity of emotions is still fine, but this is an oversimplification.
There is an emotional subplot between the lead pair of Prabhu Deva and Aishwarya. The way its concluded is so poorly written and done. It is the same with the Yusuf and VK battle. We never buy the kind of stakes that are involved between them. It is just lazy writing. When one leaves the dances, this is what the film is filled with. If the dances are enough, then Lakshmi is a decent, at best, one-time watch. Otherwise, it’s skippable
Aishwarya Rajesh and Others?
Aishwarya Rajesh delivers a one-note act. It is an easily forgettable character. The senior artist Kovai Sarala, on the other hand, even with a small role makes it memorable. Satyam Rajesh is wasted. The real highlight of the movie is the kids. They are all fantastic with Ditya Bhande obviously standing out. The rest are alright like the coach at the HDA, Salman Yusuf playing the challenger to Prabhu Deva.
Music and Other Departments?
Sam CS has provided the music which is a crucial ingredient in connecting with the movie as much as the dances. He has done a reasonably good job. The cinematography is excellent. The editing is slick. The writing is weak.
Highlights?
Kids
Dances
Climax
Drawbacks?
Predictable Story
Lack of Drama
Missing Emotional Connect
Alternative Take
The dance-based films are following the same formula and hence getting extremely predictable all over. More drama and better charismatic leads are the only alternative take to make them appeal more.
Did I Enjoy It?
Only dances
Will You Recommend It?
Only to dance lovers’
Lakshmi Review by Siddartha
