Sarileru Neekevvaru Movie Review -BOTTOM LINE
Engaging Mass Entertainer

OUR RATING
3/5

CENSOR
‘UA’


Sarileru Neekevvaru Movie Review -What Is the Film About?
Bharati (Vijayashanthi) is a righteous professor who always believes in doing the right thing. She is also highly patriotic and has sent two of her sons (one after the death of other) to the army. When Bharati’s second son Ajay (Sathyadev) is injured, Ajay (Mahesh Babu) has to bring in the news to her.

However, when Ajay (Mahesh Babu) goes to visit Bharati (Vijayashanthi), she is missing along with family. What has happened to her? Where does MLA Nagendra (Prakash Raj) fit into this scheme of things and how Samskruti (Rashmika Mandanna) is part of the overall story, is what the movie is all about?

How Is Mahesh Babu’s Performance?
Superstar Mahesh Babu has been seen doing passively aggressive roles with a lot of intensity in the recent past. The energy (in a fun way) has been missing so badly, making the fans despair. Well, Sarileru Neekevvaru offers that lost ‘energy’ in loads for fans to be satisfied for a long time to come.

The character of Mahesh Babu has been well developed. It starts off slowly reminding one of the recent past outings of the star. It grows gradually with each successive block. It hits a peak at the interval moment with high energy from Superstar. From there on, until the end, there is a continues energy-filled Mahesh Babu with “Mind Block” song literally blocking the minds of the fans.

The only emotional scene comes towards the end. But, it is not the high point like his previous films. The requirement here is different, and everyone is satisfied even before that point. The Mahesh Babu in Sarileru Neekevvru is aimed for the fans, and it delivers.


Sarileru Neekevvaru Movie Review -Direction by Anil Ravipudi?
Anil Ravipudi is the new age mass director from Telugu cinema. He picks simple stories where the point of the movie is known at the beginning itself. And yet, he manages to engage throughout with fast-paced screenplay and heroism in ample doses.

But, Anil Ravipudi has so far worked with the second league heroes. Generally, when directors make a jump from the second league to first, they fail to match the expectation and disappoint. In the aspect, Anil Ravipudi has partly succeeded and minimally disappointed.

The opening of Sarileru Neekevvaru exposes all the shortcomings and fears of a young upcoming director handling a big star for the first time. There is so much going on with minimal impact. The writing seems to be either overdone or undercooked. It is the result of nervousness to prove a point, one packs too much, leading to jarring editing and muddled narrative.

Unfortunately, the nervous energy effects an essential track of Sarileru Neekevvaru – the train episode. It is a lengthy episode. But, it works only in segments. The problem is the same that is witnessed at the start. There is a lengthy scene, where parts of it work, but on the whole, it feels off. The same happens with “train episode”, parts of it, especially the writing, work, but the entirety leaves a lot to be desired.

As soon as the “train episode” is complete, we reach the interval, and the routineness takes over. The ‘routine’ has been handled well. There is a predictable commercial set up in place neatly, as well.

The second half takes forward the ‘routine’ filled with action and comedy in equal doses. Right from the start, until the first song, the narrative flows smoothly and is highly effective. Once again the comedy (via the heroine track) disrupts the proceedings. Things get back on track when dealing with the primary plot and action. Still, it lacks the firepower of the interval and post-interval block.

The missing momentum is back again with the “Mind Block” song. It gives the movie its biggest high. Had the rest of the film been wrapped up quickly after this, the impact of Srileru Neekevvaru would have been much higher than what it is currently. The climax goes on and on and on making one restless. Again, some parts are okay, for example, the dialogues about military people, but as a whole, it misses the mark.

Overall, Sarileru Neekevvaru is an easy one-time watch for lovers of mass entertainers with action and comedy. If one likes the star but don’t like the ‘comedy’, it becomes a decent one-time at best. If one is looking for something more, they would be partly disappointed as content-wise there is nothing new.


Sarileru Neekevvaru Movie Review -Rashmika Mandanna and Others?
Rashmika Mandanna playing the female lead is the most irritating aspect of the movie. Her character is overdone and overacted. At times it gets on nerves as well. It is just the way it is designed and also presented as part of a package.

Vijayashanthi is making a comeback after a long gap. She is given a dignified and satisfactory role. There is nothing memorable in her part, except for the last sentiment scene. It alone is worthy of her presence. Rajendra Prasad is reliable as always. One feels that he gets a little side-lined in the second half.

Prakash Raj is seen plying a full-fledged villain with comic touch after a long time. He does his part with clinical ease and fun. The problem is the usual one we see in Telugu cinema. First, the villainy is overdone, and then it immediately turns a buffoon. The actor in Prakash Raj presents both aspects well, nonetheless.

The supporting cast is vast and includes many known faces ranging from Rao Ramesh to Sangeetha, to Subbaraj to Vennela Kishore. There are many more. Some of them work in part due to the writing in that particular moment; otherwise, most overact.

Music Director Devi Sri PrasadMusic and Other Departments?
Devi Sri Prasad has disappointed musically if one looks at stand-alone audio. However, when we see it with video, they are passable. The last song is sensational. The background score gets better in the second half comparatively. The cinematography is excellent. The editing is poor. The movie suffers majorly in this department, and a lot of the blame has to be given to Anil Ravipudi for overstuffed writing.


Sarileru Neekevvaru Movie Review -Highlights?
Mahesh Babu
Action
Interval
Post Interval

Drawbacks?
Heroine Track
Parts of Second Half
Climax


Sarileru Neekevvaru Movie Review -Alternative Take
Another re-writing of the script and fleshing out the supporting parts and the heroine track. It would have helped a great deal in editing, and thereby improving the final product.

Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, the Mahesh Babu parts

Will You Recommend It?
Yes, for Mahesh Babu

Sarileru Neekevvaru Review by Siddartha

Sarileru-Neekevvaru-Movie-Review

Final Report:

The climax is lengthy. It could have been short for better impact. Sarileru Neekevvaru has a predictable story but a racy second half with less dull moments keeps things engaging. The Superstar’s one-man show does the trick.

Anil Ravipudi handles the ‘stardom’ well in his first big “star” outing. He disappoints (comparatively) in his core comic strength seen throughout the heroine track. Stay tuned to this page for our detailed review and rating shortly.

– “Feast” would be an understatement for Mind Block song. It is the best Superstar Mahesh Babu has danced in more than a decade. It’s really mind blocking.

– Another action episode in Nallamala forest shot very well. Mahesh’s dialogue delivery adds to the well choreographed fight.

– Mahesh is investigating a crime scandal linked to Minister Prakash Raj. New characters Subba Raju and Vennela Kishore brought in for comedy.

– Mahesh is back to his energetic form in the confrontation scene with Prakash Raj at his house.

– The second half started. Vijayashanti shares her pain and the incident with Prakash Raj which has changed her life. Major Ajay (Mahesh) decrided to stay back and help her.

First Half Report:

The first half of Sarileru Neekevvaru is decent. The interval block action (Kondareddy Buruj center fight) works big time, but the much-hyped comedy doesn’t entirely hit the mark but doesn’t disappoint at all.

The story is very thin and predictable. The second half is key now in handling and meeting the high expectations from the biggie.

The Alluri Seetaramaraju elevation and Mahesh Babu dialogues, in the interval, are feasts for fans.

– The much hyped and very long train comedy episode has few hilarious bits. Overall, it falls short of showing the director Anil Ravipudi’s hot form seen in his previous films but it doesn’t disappoint at the same time.

– Major Ajay (Mahesh) takes the responsibility to go to Bharati (Vijayashanti) to convey a news. Rajendra Prasad accompanies him. It’s time for the much hyped train episode.

– Major Ajay Krishna (Mahesh Babu) takes up a Kids rescue operation. The first action episode is decent.

– A simple and neat introduction for Superstar Mahesh at the border as Major Ajay Krishna. The big bang ‘Dang Dang’ song follows it. The Superstar at his most energetic self.

– Sarileru Neekevvaru show opens with a class room scene in a college. Vijayashanti opens the show as a strict teacher.

Preview: Sarileru Neekevvaru

Sarileru Neekevvaru‘ is arriving with a very good buzz and is going to bank on the comedy and the entertainment factor that Anil Ravipudi would provide for the audiences. The director’s previous movies worked because of his adeptness at adding comedy to simple stories.

This movie is a crucial movie for the director who has got to do a film with a superstar for the first time. He gave super hit films and a blockbuster, till now. ‘Sarileru Neekevvaru’ is expected his second blockbuster in a row. So far, the director has been the plus of the movie due to his earlier credibility.

If the comedy works, it’s a done deal. Mahesh Babu’s comic timing is a known thing, and we have seen that in ‘Dookudu’. This movie is expected to be as entertaining as that. The trailer and the promos made us expect a refreshing and entertaining avatar of the superstar after a gap.

As he always said, he is a director’s actor, and if Anil Ravipudi has the worth that we hope for, Mahesh Babu will let him down, in no way. Fans are super excited to see Mahesh Babu in an energetic avatar after a long time.

Though Devisri Prasad’s music album wasn’t a chartbuster album, we came to know from the promo videos that a couple of songs will be good on the screen visually as ‘Daang Daang’ and ‘Mind Block’. The casting of the movie looks perfect.

Will Mahesh Babu satisfy his fans with an entertaining film after a long time? It’s time to read the comprehensive ‘Sarileru Neekevvaru’ review from our mirchi9 team. Stay tuned, folks!