BOTTOM LINE
Nothing To Love
OUR RATING
2/5
CENSOR
‘U’ Certified, 2 hrs 25 mins
What is the film Tej I Love You about?
Nandini (Anupama Parameswaran) and Tej (Sai Dharam Tej) fall in love and then an unexpected incident happens. What happens after the disturbance and how it all ends is what the movie is all about?
How is Sai Dharam Tej’s performance?
Sai Dharam Tej has tried to play a soft romantic boy next door kind of role and has partially succeeded in it. There are only a few moments where a sincere actor turns up, otherwise, Sai Dharam Tej overdoes the typical Karunakaran style hero parts. The imitation of stars from family doesn’t help the cause for Sai Dharam Tej. The emotional acting at times evokes unintentional laughter.
Another major issue is the physicality. Sai Dharam Tej appears overweight and out of shape for most parts. It causes hindrance in the dances and action sequences as they don’t look that appealing on screen.
Direction By A. Karunakaran?
Earlier in the year, the movie Tholi Prema completed 20 years of its release. Yes, the classic love story is twenty years old, and in all these years, director A Karunakaran has made only ten films. Tej I Love You is the tenth venture. That is a low number of movies, but it also makes him stand out.
Unfortunately, the director’s last two films have turned out to be major disappointments. The last one was particularly bad in the second half, and now Tej I Love You takes it a notch higher. The issue is not with the story; instead, it is the writing and the way it is executed. It reeks of laziness. One feels as if the director lost interest in the movie during the making and just went through with it. There is zero emotional connect, and for a film like Tej I Love You that is unacceptable.
A Karunakaran movies are usually filled with silly but funny gags. They are the mainstay and the soothing music, and romantic track around it makes for pleasant viewing. The director has lost the freshness in comedy, and it feels dated right now. Since the movies are filled with it for a significant part, the whole thing gives an outdated vibe. That is the downfall of Tej I Love You. The comedy doesn’t work, and the decent romantic track is lost in between the comedy and forced and artificial family emotions.
The first half is alright, but the second half derails as soon the lead pair starts the journey to Vizag. The movie is unwatchable from that moment. It is only decent towards the end, but that is too late. Overall, Tej I Love You is a predictable, forced artificial melodrama that is all over the place.
Anupama Parameswaran and others?
Anupama Parameswaran in the female lead is a delight to watch. She carries her part well and is the primary reason for interest among the audience along with the hero. The rest of the film is filled with known faces like Jaya Prakash, Pavitra Lokesh, Surekha Vani, Prudhvi and Viva Harsha etc. however, they don’t have distinct parts or impactful scenes to stand out.
Music and other departments?
Gopi Sunder has done an excellent job with songs as well as background score. Some bits really stand out. The cinematography is neat, but it doesn’t give a very latest vibe. The editing is alright. The writing could have been way better by Darling Swamy.
Highlights?
Fast paced Narration
Interval
Songs
Drawbacks?
Predictable Story
Artificial Emotions
Second Half
Alternative Take
Watch the Hollywood movie The Vow from which Tej I Love You is inspired.
Did I enjoy it?
No
Will you recommend it?
No
Tej I Love You Review by Siddartha Toleti
Final Report:
Tej I Love You is another miss from Sai Dharam Tej. Soulless love track and very routine comedy fails to impress. Visit back for our frank and detailed review shortly.
– Tej gets his love accepted finally. The movie comes to an end. Final report shortly.
– Tej is back to his family now after years of separation. Nandini too finally falls in love with Tej.
– Tej and his friends trying to bring the lost memories back for Nandini (Anupama).
– Second half started. Nandini (Anupama Parameswaran) loses the memory for the past three months due to an accident. She forgets everything about Tej and his love.
First Half Report:
Tej I Love You first half is filled with some silly and routine dated comedy. The love and family tracks lack the emotional connect. Stay tuned for the final report.
– A small twist is revealed. Nandini runs into a small accident. It’s time for the interval.
– Tej and Anupama Parameswaran’s love tease scenes going on. Tej and his friends runs a music troop.
– Story shifts to current. Tej forced to leave his Pedananna’s home when he spoils an arranged marriage of his cousin sister happening in the family.
– Tej I Love You show started. Tej lost his parents at very young age raised by his Pedananna (Jayaprakash) and his big family. Boy Tej kills someone to save a lady from being raped. The boy gets seven years prison.
Tej Live Updates from 4.30 Am IST (6pm EST)
Preview: Tej I Love You
| S# | Movie | Collections |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Subramanyam For Sale | $158 K |
| 2 | Winner | $100 K |
| 3 | Supreme | $65 K |
| 4 | PNLJ | $65 K |
| 5 | Jawaan | $85 K |
After ‘Supreme’, five back-to-back failures made Sai Dharam Tej to stand on the crossroads and rethink about his career and the choice of his scripts. ‘Tej I Love You‘ is coming at this juncture of his career when he needs to deliver a hit movie to be in the race not with others, at least, with the other mega heroes.
It’s a crucial film not only for him but also for his director Karunakaran who is still banking on his first film ‘Tholi Prema’ starring Pawan Kalyan. Though he did a few successful films like ‘Darling’ and ‘Ullasamga Utsahamga’, he couldn’t recreate the magic he created with Pawan Kalyan’s movie.
There is heavy competition for ‘Tej I Love You’ from Gopi Chand’s ‘Pantham’, Karthi’s ‘Chinna Babu’ and Bellamkonda Srinivas’ ‘Saakshyam’. To be frank, all the heroes of the above-said movies are in need of a hit to be among the bankable heroes of the industry.
Will ‘Tej I Love You’ be that movie which would bring back Sai Dharam Tej’s fortunes that he had actually treasured in the initial stages of his career with three hit movies in a row? His last release ‘Inttelligent’ was the most disastrous film of his career and there is a tremendous need to deliver a successful movie, this time.
Going by the promo content, the movie may cater to the tastes of the young audiences, particularly the college-going youth only if the predictable love story is said in an attracting manner. Let’s see if the movie turns out to be a game changer for both the hero and the director.
To know the outcome, stay tuned for ‘Tej I Love You’ review from our team that comes up with an unbiased review.
