BOTTOM LINE
Honest Intentions But Dull Affair
OUR RATING
2.5/5
CENSOR
‘U’ Certified, 2 hrs 32 mins.
What Is the Film About?
Two good guys and best friends Abhi (Ram) and Vasu (Sri Vishnu) are connected to the same girl Maha (Anupama Parameswran). What happens next and how the issue is resolved is what the film is all about?
How Is Ram’s Performance?
Ram doesn’t go overboard, and it is always good news. The set up allows him to show variation in terms of look which the actor does diligently, but there is no such thing in his acting. It is the same. Luckily for the viewers and the director, it doesn’t hamper the movie’s outcome.
Direction by Kishore Tirumala?
Vunnadi Okate Zindagi is the third film of director Kishore Tirumala after Second Hand and Nenu Shailaja. In a commercial sense though, Nenu Shailaja was his true beginning as Second Hand was more of a short film for big screen and gives the feel of a movie made on a learning curve.
So, coming to the commercial outing, among the two attempts, Nenu Sailaja and Vunnadi Okate Zindagi, the common factor is the writing, which is excellent. However, when it comes to story aspect, Nenu Shailaja has a far better and contemporary core theme that makes better connect.
As mentioned above, the writing is excellent, and it is the reason one can sit through the movie once. The film drags, and it is predictable with few well-etched scenes, but throughout the dialogues hit the mark or makes one think.
The biggest problem with the film is the story and its execution. The story is clichéd to the core and making it worse is the execution that is as predictable as the story. The twists are predictable too. Few critical scenes in the second half miss the impact entirely even though the writing is solid. The climax is neatly wrapped.
There is another standard issue in the two commercial attempts of director Kishore Tirumala is the done to death tropes that he uses to take the narrative forward. They are a decade or two old which is the reason for the heightened feeling of predictability and artificiality in the proceedings. A correction would be better in these aspects for the long run. In the age of “Dostana” it is nice to make a subject on friendship but looking at the film and its dated and artificialness, one is likely to get an impression that maybe such a feeling is only a thing of past. Vunnadi Okate Zindagi is a one-time watch, at best and that is just due to the honesty in the writing.
Anupama, Lavanya and Others?
There are two heroines, but it is Anupama Parameswaran who carries more weight. She is perfect for her role as a determined but gullible girl. In scenes that matter, her presence is highlighted as she makes those scenes work. Lavanya Tripathy doesn’t carry similar weight and is mostly a funny prop in the narrative. She is decent. Sree Vishnu has an important supporting role, and he delivers. Its length and importance, to the story, are as much as that of a hero, but ultimately it is a supporting part as the meaty content of the hero is missing here.
Apart from the main leads, the film is filled with some known faces and lovable characters. Most of them have a scene or two that make a mark or help in taking the narrative forward. For example, the heroine’s friends in both the half leave an impression even though their presence is small. It is the same with hero’s batch where everyone has a scene or two to shine.
Music and Other Departments?
Music by Devi Sri Prasad is alright with two songs being good. However, all the songs are well placed and shot well. Add to it the background score is impressive which overall helps the movie’s cause. The cinematography is neat, and the editing is fine.
Highlights?
Excellent Dialogues
Background Score
Not Too Much Melodrama
Drawbacks?
Clichéd Story
Length
Artificiality
Alternative Take
The stories of this kind are done to death and that too more than a decade ago. Well, at least a fresh set up would be helpful for starters like Bangalore Days for example.
Did I Enjoy It?
Partly
Will You Recommend It?
Yes but with reservations.
Vunnadhi Okate Zindagi Review by Siddartha Toleti
Final Report:
Vunnadi Okate Zindagi is slow overall but has few beautiful moments on friendship. While the pre-interval twist is interesting, twist that comes in pre-climax is a weak one. Visit back for our ‘frank’ review soon.
– Vasu (Sree Vishnu) unites Abhi (Ram) and Maggie (Lavanya). Movie ends.
– While Anupama Parameswaran has got the first half of the film, Lavanya Tripathi appears in most of the second half.
– Finally, friends Abhi and Vasu reunite, it’s time for “Vunnadi Okate Zindagi” song.
– Maggie (Lavanya Tripathi), a wedding planner by profession enters into the life of Abhi (Ram) and his friends.
– Ram (Abhiram) moves back to India to patch up with his childhood friend Vasu (Sree Vishnu) who is affected in his life.
First Half Report:
Vunnadi Okate Zindagi has a slow first half. The show started on friendship quickly turns into a normal love track that runs slow. However with a pre-interval twist story turns interesting and creates interest over the second half. Stay tuned for the second half report.
– Abhi’s (Ram) friend Vasu (Sree Vishnu) returns from his trip. First and interesting twist in Abhi’s love story.
– Ram (Abhiram) falls in love with house surgeon Maha (Anupama Parameswaran).
– The first song “Trendu Maarina” shot well, very decent dance moves showing the friendship of Abhi (Ram) and Vasu (Sree Vishnu) along with three other college friends. Ram’s beard makeover looks good.
– Abhi (Ram) owns a coffee shop in Italy, rejects Anisha Ambrose’s love proposal. He now takes us back to his college days.
– Vunnadhi Okate Zindagi show started with kids Abhi (rich kid) and Vasu becoming thick friends at school.
Vunnadhi Okate Zindagi US Premier Live updates will begin from 3.30 AM IST.
Preview: Vunnadi Okate Zindagi
| S# | Movie | Collections |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nenu Sailaja | $632 K |
| 2 | Hyper | $113 K |
| 3 | Endukante Premanta | $77 K |
A few films keep sending positive vibes right from their inception and the promo material that follows add to those positive vibes. Ram’s Friday release ‘Vunnadhi Okate Zindagi‘ belongs to that category.
Everything is set in the favour of the movie and it’s time to see if the actual content impresses the audiences. For Ram, ‘Vunnadhi Okate Zindagi’ is very important as he is suffering hugely from inconsistency with a few super hits and a number of debacles.
He sure has this ability to attract both the mass and the class audiences alike. A few good movies in his kitty will make him one of the bankable young heroes. His getup in the movie is different but there is something that is promising about him.
This is Ram’s second outing with director Kishore Tirumala who delivered a super hit movie ‘Nenu Shailaja’ for Ram and that happens to be Ram’s last hit film.
Director Kishore Tirumala is on the right track and if he delivers a hit with this movie, he will stamp his mark on this sensible genre and that’s why this movie is very important for him, as well. He is oozing confidence as there is a positive buzz on the movie.
Devi Sri Prasad didn’t deliver a blockbuster album but a decent one with ‘What Amma’ being the stealer of the entire album. Hope, his background music will make the film richer and add to the benefit of the movie. Lately, there is a talk that his music is getting repetitive.
Anupama Parameshwaran is on a roll with back-to-back hits and she seems to have bagged a meaty role in this movie. The dove-eyed simpleton has the ability to deliver the girl-next-door kinda roles, quite conveniently. She is indeed the lucky charm for this project.
This movie is important for not only Ram but also for director Kishore Tirumala and music director Devi Sri Prasad. Let’s get ready to know the fate of the movie that is crucial for both the hero and the director. Stay tuned for the genuine review from our team.
US Premier update:
Vunnadi Okate Zindagi collected $80 K from 85 locations as of 9pm EST.
