BOTTOM LINE
All About One Hilarious Block
OUR RATING
2.25/5
CENSOR
‘U/A’ Certified, 2 hrs 02 mins
What Is the Film About?
Maaya (Avika Gor) is the daughter of a magician Garuda Pillai (Ajay Ghosh)who can talk and summon spirits. He protects her with a ghost. What happens when an auto driver Ashwin (Ashwin Babu) falls in love with her? How he
deals with the love and a ghost is what the movie is all about?
How Is Ashwin Babu’s Performance?
Ashwin gets a character that gives him scope to play to the galleries. He tries his best but is effective only a few moments. The natural rugged charm and timing required for the role are missing despite getting the appearance right. Those qualities would have helped elevate the given content much more.
Direction by Ohmkar?
Ohmkar is back with a third outing in Raju Gari Gadhi series. The first one was the most entertaining with an undercurrent thrilling and suspense elements working out very well. The second one lost out on the fun but got the emotional part right. Here in the third outing, he is more in the entertaining zone instead of emotion.
One important thing to note here is that unlike the first one, the next two in the series are remakes. The second one is a remake of Malayalam movie whereas the present one is a faithful recreation of a Tamil film.
The story is simple but is enough to provide engaging moments. Right from the start, the focus is on the entertainment aspect, and it works out in a few instances. These are related to the horror part. The routine comedy involving the love story and others is ordinary. Still, the right momentum is building towards the interval which is okay for a brainless ‘horror comedy’.
However, it is the post-interval sequences where the real meat lies. The two immediate blocks involving Rajamatha and Garuda Pillai, followed by the revelation of the core story provide both fun and is engaging.
The major entertaining block of the movie, though is when the primary cast enters a haunted house in search of an old manuscript. The ensuing parts are hilarious. Some bits are way too low brow, but it all works out.
The climax in comparison is simple and weak. After all that has happened before, there is no feeling of seriousness left as well. It’s fast closure, therefore, seems alright.
Overall, Raju Gari Gadhi 3 offers a few hilarious bits and thrills. But, on the whole, it lacks the impact of the first two. It is the weakest of the three. If you want to watch a horror-comedy that offers routine and predictable fun, give Raju Gari Gadhi 3 a try.
Avika Gor and Others?
Avika Gor has always picked substantial parts and Raju Gari Gadhi 3 is no different when seen from her perspective. It offers less scope compared to her other outings, though. She is entirely absent in the second half only to surface in the climax.
After a long time comedian, Ali gets a full-length entertaining part. He rocks the show in key sequences. Along with him, other supporting artists like Urvashi and Ajay Ghosh deliver the needed. They are excellent in a particular block in the second half. Dhanraj joins them for a few minutes and is superb as well. Brahmaji is alright. Prabhas Seenu is wasted.
Music and Other Departments?
Shabir, the music director from the original, has been taken for the remake as well. He has done fantastic work as far as the background score is concerned. The cinematography by Chota K Naidu is fine. The editing wobbles a bit here and there but overall is decent. The writing is on typical lines that one would expect from the genre.
Highlights?
Entertainment
Core Story
Post Interval Retrieving Manuscript Sequences
Drawbacks?
Too Routine Thrills
Lack of Seriousness in Narrative
Comedy Turns B Grade at times
Alternative Take
Watch the original Tamil version featuring Santhanam. Not that it is any different story-wise, but the lead and other subtle changes in technicalities make it a better watch.
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes in parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, but with reservations
Raju Gari Gadhi 3 Review by Siddartha Toleti
