Kandireega Movie Review

The makers promised it.  And, they have delivered it.  Kandireega was, in its hero's words, described as a "fresh commercial movie" by those who watched the rushes.  It would have seemed mere trumpeting, but for the confidence seen on the face of Ram, who, after a BO dud (Ganesh) and a near-average grosser (RRKK), believed in  Santosh Srinivas's script.

Starving for new ideas to keep the audience from becoming uninterested in cinema itself, Telugu cinema found an idiom some years ago.  Was born the tricky hero, who crafts a plot to con practically everyone in the film.  Not long before, everyone (be it the ruthless but doting father/brother of the heroine, the rival-lover and the anti-hero comedic sidekick) are trapped into his mousetrap or ship out.  All aimed to have a happy ending where he will marry the girl he had charmed before the vaudeville began.

Kandireega only improves on a solid template and offers full-on entertainment.  And how?

Seenu's (Ram) journey begins from Anakappali, moves to Hyderabad, only to to end in an expected climax in Warangal.  He begins as a loser, cursed by everyone in the village for becoming a nuisance.  The ever-so casual Seenu is stirred into doing his graduation when his maradalu (Swati in a cameo) refuses to marry a semi-illiterate like him.  He moves to the city, and soon falls for the beautiful Shruthi (Hansika Motwani).  The only problem to him appears to be Bhavani (Sonu Sood in one of the best performances), a much-feared goon for whom murdering is a daily routine, who too loves Shruthi.

The story takes an unexpected turn when Bhavani throws up a challenge to Seenu: to woo Shruthi as best as he can and win her love if he can.  (At first, it threatened to become a major defect in the film when Bhavani behaves in a manner that seems unrealistic with the way he has been projected from the beginning.  It soon becomes trivial when the film presents yet another surprising twist in the first leg of Half Two).

How does Seenu win over the love of Shruthi?  Does his plan to marry her go well as expected?  Is Bhavani playing with the fire?  More so, do Seenu and Bhavani have to overcome a new challenge?  Answers to these questions are revealed in the second half, which is a laugh riot.

Kandireega is different in both the first and second halves.  While we are entertained by Ram's heroic antics in the first half, in the second half it is a hotch potch of comedy, confusions and romances that keep us hooked to the seats.

The performances of Ram, Sonu Sood and Aksha need special mention.  While Ram is at his lively best, emoting naturally and delivering punchy lines in everyday lingo, Sonu Sood is menacing at first, then goes soft core mode.  The Bollywood import has got so much potential when it comes to delivering live wire performance without going overboard,  with just facial expressions.  On her part, Aksha (playing Sandhya) emotes well, be it when it comes to romance or doing comedy, and her Warangal dialect, albeit dubbed, is all right.  In fact, in the second half it is Sonu Sood and Aksha who are the leads.

Santosh Srinivas plays his game quite well.  With a well-written script, he executes it with craft.  Thaman's music and background score help.

Watch Kandireega for its comedy and its cinematic bells and whistles.

Released on: 12th Aug, 2011

Is 'Phhir' another horror affair from Vikram Bhatt?

It was three years ago when two relatively unknown entities, Rajniesh Duggal and Adah Sharma, had made their big screen debut with '1920'. The film was a success but the lead pair seemingly disappeared from the B-town. Now that the promos of 'Phhir' are on, Rajneesh and Adah have been paired opposite each other again in a thrilling affair w

hich has led many to speculate if the film is a sequel to their earlier horror affair.

"Yes, I have heard that as well," Rajneesh nods in agreement here, "I am aware about some having this misconception that 'Phhir' is a horror affair and that it is a sequel to '1920'. Well, let me put all these doubts to rest - 'None of this is true'. There is no element of supernatural or horror in 'Phhir' though there is quite some suspense and thrill here. Also, there is absolutely no connection to '1920' either despite the fact that Vikram Bhatt is a common element to both the films."

While Vikram had directed '1920', he is in the capacity of a writer and presenter for 'Phhir. Also starring Roshni Chopra, 'Phhir' is directed by Girish Dhamija and releases all over this Friday.

'Poru Telangana' to hit screens on Aug 19

The versatile film personality, R Narayana Murthy, who had produced several films with leftist ideas, had produced and directed a film titled 'Poru Telangana' in the backdrop of the recent Telangana agitation.

He had completed the shooting of the film recently with a story based on the agitations that took place in the Telangana region, right from the days of Nizam to till date.

Very recently, the audio of 'Poru Telangana' was unveiled at a simple function by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief K Chandrasekhar Rao. Like many of his earlier movies, R Narayanamurthy had taken the responsibility of music, direction, production of the film besides playing the hero of the film.

The film is being produced on the banner of Sneha Chitra. As per the latest information, the film is all set to hit the screens on August 19.

Salman to revisit history

B-town's news-grabber, the 'Dabangg' Khan Salman is soon going to take over the small screens again.

After 'Dus Ka Dum', Sallu miyaa will don the role of a host for History channel. According to sources, the management of the popular channel were keen to make it Indian friendly and so wanted to rope in someone who is quite popular and mass appealing. And going by the dhamdaar status that Salman enjoys on the screens and among the audience, they decided to bring the star on board.

The handsome macho Khan will be styled by his sister Alvira Agnihotri and designer Ashley Rebello.

Well, the History has never been this exciting, right? Be 'ready' for Salman's History class, folks.....

Rana to go national in ads too

Rana Daggubati is not satisfied with making his presence felt in Bollywood alone. He even wants to soar ahead of others in his home industry by endorsing a national brand.  According to a credible media report, the actor has been approached a big brand to be its brand ambassador.  With his face becoming popular with Dum Maro Dum and Department promising to only raise his popularity in future, Rana seems to be a favourite choice of top brands. This is not the first time that a manufacturer has thought of signing Rana.  In the past, it is learnt, a mobile brand had approached him and he had almost given a nod to it.  He was dissuaded to reject it by some well-wishers to debut in ads with a greater brand. The hunk, given his physique and looks, is likely to endorse many more brands in the near future.

Karungali Movie Review

Karungali - Crude is the word

Director Kalanjiyam of  'Poomani' fame has landed on a controversial knot in his comeback film 'Karungali', in which he wields the megaphone besides playing the lead role. He has chosen the grey shades of Chennai for this venture that is set in a theme with the likes of Anjali and Sunitha Verma among others playing the lead roles.

Ravi called as Pottalam Ravi (Kalanjiyam) is an orphan, who grows with a group of children in a Chennai slum. He is forced to take up the sale of drugs and falls into all illegal activities.

While escaping from the clutches of cops, he comes across Kanimozhi, a doctor (Sunitha Verma) who is injured in an accident. He saves her and Kanimozhi immediately decides to marry her 'saviour'.

Knowing about Ravi's bad past that he was a drug seller and had killed his own lover, Kanimozhi still thinks that she can change his heart, and marries him. But Ravi acts innocent and waits for an opportunity to show his colours.

Coming to know from Kanimozhi about Amudhanila (Anjali), one of her patients, who is desperate to have a child, Ravi decides to play dirty tricks with her. Does Ravi exploit Amudhanila? Does the doctor and Amudhanila's husband find out about Ravi?

A movie that begins on narrating the sufferings of slum children goes haywire as it progresses. It touches upon lust, cheat, and mistrust in a crude way. Impotency is portrayed as disease. Many a dialogue and scene are vulgar.

Songs by Srikanth Deva alone stand out. Anjali, Sunitha Verma, Srinivas and Asmitha seem to have done a good job in the film. Anjali deserves special credits for she has given a matured performance as a perplexed girl.

Kalanjiyam tries to fit in the shoes of a man, who everybody would love to hate. Unfortunately, his film too is quite typical for his character in it.