Review of Attarintiki Daaredi (Rating 4/5)

Yet another rip-roaring comedy (like Dookudu).    starring the main stream super star/ `Power star Pawan Kalyan, I am so scarred of Pawan Kalyan and his brand of over the top over-acting and meaningless movies which still manage to make huge money at box office thanks to his crazy fans.       Even I avoided seeing his super-duper hit GABBAR SINGH (remake of Dabang) and caught up only on TV in which he did a decent job.   But I must admit that, despite his larger than life action hero image, he took a great risk of acting in an out and out family entertainer and it paid rich dividends by his pulling the trick which Mahesh Babu and Vakatesh failed in Seetamma Vakitlo….

All the credit for taking up such risky venture and making such clean family entertainer should go to the Director Trivikram Srinivas.     May be it is only the second time and after more than 50 years after release of `Gundamma Katha’ that a movie starring mainline super stars (hero and heroines)  is named after another female character - `Atta’ in this case He once again proved that movie making is a director’s medium and if the actors/star howsoever star status value they enjoy, if they have surrender themselves to the directors they can do wonders.       Kudos to the director that he converted a simple story without much twists and turns into a healthy comedy of 3 hours duration with humour sprinkled almost in every frame without affecting the main flow of the movie and at the end you feel like asking for more.   With this movie, it is once again proved that no one can beat Telugu film industry in making comedy movies – even with main line super stars.

To the best of my recollection, it is for the first time in his 15 years film career we see Pawan Kalyan putting up such a restrained performance, pulled off comedy extremely well and could even emote a bit in the climax.    For Pawan kalyan, it is a risk of life time which he took and it paid off and it could be a game changer for him.    It should go to his credit that with two nephews (Allur ARjun and Ram Charan Teja) ruling the top rung, he still holds his stardom and fan following base.    Choosing such movies and doing some restrained acting will be like doing the balancing act and prolong his career.     There has been manageable dose of his brand of action scenes (finishing off the task in few seconds), just to satisfy his fans but focus was not action scenes.     Pawan’s face was looking very chubby, he should do something for the same, but for that he was looking as fit as he ever looks.  

Praneeta with her lightened up and lively face was good and stole the thunder from Samanta though her role was not well defined and confusing and has less footage than Samanta.   

Samanta picked up post intermission but bit overshadowed in this movie.     Nadhiya (whom I am seeing for the first time) did a very decent job in the pivotal role of `Atta’ on whom the movie is named after.    MSN and his side kicks and Ali did brilliant act and are instrumental is making the movie so lively.     During the interval I was wondering that it is one of the rare movies by a top star without Branhmanandam featuring in it.    But almost towards the end Brahmanandam makes a grand entry and puts the screen on fire with a nonstop comedy specially the 10-12 minutes duration `Gautam Ahalya’ skit.  

I always had serious reservation in Hindi actors doing the heroin, character actor and villain roles in Telugu films.   With their restricted expressions due to lack of understanding of the language and horrible lip sync they make a mockery of themselves.    But it has become fashionable and every top star from Chiranjeevi Najurjuna those days to NTR clan and Chiranjeevi clan these days demanding for Hindi heroins and villains as a result of which in the last 2 decades the Telugu film industry has not produced a single top ranking Telugu speaking heroin, villain or character actor after Jaya Prada, Jaya Sudha and Kota Srinivas.   Most of them, who are unemployed in Hindi film industry like Mukesh Rishi, Sharad Saxena, Ashish Vidharthi, Anupam Kher, Paresh Rawal, Jakhie Sheroff are lapped up for reasons best known to the producers.    A rare exception to this being  Amrish Puri essaying main villain role in `Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari’ brilliantly and doing his own dubbing.   After this many years Bomman Irani making his debut in Telugu movie did a fantastic job.     Besides putting a very decent performance he did good job of lip syncing the dialogues and was not looking out of place.

DSP (Devi Sri Prasad) once again came out with a chart-busting music with almost all songs being hit and further consolidated number one position.   He did a cameo playing sexaphone in one of the duets and he has good screen presence.  Pawan Kalyan's  first singing experiment also gone well with fans.  

It is going to be a feast for PK’s fans after long wait for the release which was held up due to Telengana issue and even those who are not PK’s fans like me too will enjoy this movie.   There were about 15 shows in different parts of Delhi and theaters were jam packed on Sunday.   After a very long time I saw such a frenzy created by fans – whistling, shouting and yelling at every dialogue, dance and fight of their favourite star PK.  The movie no doubt is going to be a super duper hit and further consolidated PK’s position post Gabbar Singh’ and again open up heated discussion who is No. 1 Pawan Kalyan or Mahesh Babu.  

I am sure Hindi producers will be queuing up for remake rights and Salmaan or an Akhay or even a Sharukh (after the hit of Chennai express) will love to feature in the remake.   But unlike in Telugu film industry, lack of star comedians in Hindi films now like yesteryear Mehmood, Omprakash and Jony Walker  will hurt such propositions.  

s. Prabhakar

30.9.2013

REVIEW OF ZANJEER (2013)

I would like to start the review with two disclaimers.   I am not a big and diehard fan of Ram Charan Teja (RCT) but I have been seeing all his Telugu movies (about 6 movies till date) as I have been watching all most all movies coming out of the stable of Chirajeevi clan (comprising of Chiranjeevi, his brother Pawan Kanyan, his son RCT and nephew Allu Arjun) as average Andhra movie goer has no option but to fall back on either Chiru clan NTR clan or ANR clan.      I do not consider original Zanjeer to be iconic or a cult movie.    It is one of the commercially successful movie of 70s as any of the super duper masala commercial successes.    It has become a `Land Mark’ movie because it was a major success for lot of people like Prakash Mehra, Salim-Javed duo till they separated and most importantly to Amitabh Bachan and all of them had fairly long stint.    As far as angry Youngman tag goes more than Zanjeer, it was Deewar and Trishul which established him as an Angry young man.  

 

Ever since the remake of Zanjeer was announced, I was wondering why they decided to do so and why RCT decided to debut in Hindi with this remake.     In his short career in Telugu industry `Maghadeera’ was his best movie till date which re-written the Telugu movie history by breaking all collection records and it would have been a safe bet to launch him in Hindi industry.    May be he, his father and producers might have thought that they can encash curiosity value but they seems to have not factored the heavy expectation of comparison with the original and comparing RCT’s performance with Amitabh’s performance.    If the producers wanted to make an action movie why should call it remake of Zanjeer when there is hardly anything common except villain killing hero’s father in childhood (which theme might have been used and re-used thousands of time before and after Zanjeer), few characters being named Sher Khan, Teja and Mona darling.      What baffles me is that at a time when most of the super hit action movies made in Telugu and Tamil are being re-made into Hindi (about 14 movies at the last count) and resurrecting the careers of many stars and joining the Rs. 100 crores plus club  like Salman Khan (Wanted and Ready), AK (Rowdy Rathore), Gajani (Amir Khan), RCT should have opted for some masala action Telugu movie for remake.   Compared to him, his father chose better movie in `Prathiband' for his debut followed by `Aaj Ka Gundaraaj' both doing well at Box office and pulled curtains on his Hindi film career after much hyped `Gentleman' flopped. 

Coming to the movie,  thankfully it was not a carbon copy of the original movie and rewritten keeping it more contemporary using oil mafia as a backdrop with lot of action sprinkled which RCT has assigned very well, but the movie did not give scope for showcasing his dancing skills, if one keeps comparison aide, he made a decent debut and nothing better can be expected of him.    He need to do something to improve his tanned skin, protruding chin, and stiff walking style. Thankfully Sher Khan role has been shortened because of Sanjay Dutt going back to jail. Even in this shortened version also he was looking so jaded, immobile in action scenes and absolutely out of place and made Pran turn in his grave.   Priyanka did a good job as bubbling girl and Prakash Raj as usual stole the thunder along with Gill in his humorous villain role and he is the sole saving grace of the movie.

The confrontation scenes between RCT and Prakash Raj have been well conceived and well enacted.   The two constables who did sidekicks of RCT did a good job.   Music has been a big letdown, not even a song is hummable, the original had two super duper songs `Yaarihai Iman mera’ and `Deewane hai Deewan ko na ghar chahiye’.    `Star Power’ the one thing which helped Chiranjeevi clan including RCT in having bumper openings for even an mediocre  movie and make them super hits, will work against RCT in Hindi due to lack of it as far as Hindi industry is concerned.  

It is irony that in an article appearing in today's paper RCT says that his `Maghadhera' cannot be and should not be remade in Hindi because it is not easy to re-create the magic unless the same team comes together, but he and his producers have not realised that the same thing applies to Zanjeer and many other such movies.   With Zanjeer it is curtains to RCT career in Hindi for the time being and he better concentrate in Telugu film industry where he is one of the front runners.     Better Mahesh Babu watch out who too, accordingly to me, taking great risk by remaking his Telugu hit `Businessman’ and letting go away the opportunity to remake a bankable `Pokiri’ (which Salman khan did as Wanted).    But compared to Ram Charan, Mahesh Babu, being tall, fair and very handsome work in his favour.

  

  

S. Prabhakar

8.9.13

INDIAN IDOL - 2013 - REVIEW

Anjana Padmanabhan

The popular and successful first `Indian Idol Junior 2013' by Sony has come to an end with Anjana Padmanabhan from Mangalore winning pipping favorite Debanjana at the post.   Thought i felt Debanjana was more consistent, Anjana has picked up extremely well in the last 6-7 episodes and both the songs she chose and sung in the finals on last Saturday (Mujhe aajmane ki koshish na kar from `Loafar' and `ek pyaar ka nagma hai' from Shor) were simply outstanding.    Unlike  Andhra boy `Karunya' who despite being the outstanding singer on the block in Indian idol-2 cold not win because decision was based purely on the basis of public votes and Sony channel was not transmitted by local cable guys those days in AP and other South Indian states, the duel marking system of Judges awarding marks and voting by public and Sony now being available in all South Indian states through various dish companies might have worked in favour of Anjana.       

Debanja

After initial rounds they shortlisted 10 participants and then added Sughandha as wild card entry.    Though there is no dearth of talent among the aspirants who turned up atleast 3-4 (like Aryan, Akash and Sankalp) of the top 11 are no great shakes and one after the other they exited without putting up any real contest.     But for sure the top 6 did a great job and by their efforts the show picked up very well mid way through.

The youngest participant 8 years old Sughandha (who looked much younger to her age because of her tender frame) was given a very long rope and judges and voters might not have realized the fact that the age gap between her and Sonakshi, who was eliminated before her though more talented than her, was 10 (just 2 years older) so was Anjana.  In reality show after reality show such indiscreet voting pattern is observed. 

Other than the participating singers, it is the orchestra team who did a great job, specially the guitarist and two key board players.   For most of the songs they recreated the music very close to the original and their live orchestration lifted the spirits of the show.   The presenters are big letdown, Karan choosing to be funny and making fun of himself most of the time and the better covered up Mandira has right through been out of place.

Coming to judges, who are very important and play critical role, in most of the reality shows it appears that judges are given a role to play and from beginning to end they religiously follow that pattern.     All the judges of Indian Idol junior viz., Vishal, Shekar and Shreya are nice and sweet and it appears they are asked to remain so.    But as per me the role of judges in such reality shows, specially in case of junior championship should be that of a guide, mentor without being too critical or harsh with the participants.    But what I saw in this programme is right through all the judges have nothing but to say `repetitively how good the participants are,  the participants baffled them and they are ready for play back singing’.      But even for a layman’s ears like mine, many of the participants out of the top 10 and even top 5 were making some mistakes in their landing notes, in going to low pitches.   Honestly, even in the first finals on Saturday, I found the performance of Nivesh (in presenting Patthar ke sanam and Mein shayarat to nahi) and Anmol (in presenting Patta Patta Boota Boota) not upto the mark and judges did not point out any flaws.    It came as a great surprise that throughout the entire series none of the judges used headphones which helps them in catching technical glitches in singing.   Pointing out such finer technical points and guiding them how to overcome would have helped the younger participants rather than going overboard in praising the participating and many times patting their own backs in identifying such great talents and saying that they are truly blessed to be listening to such rare talent, which is extending kindness too much.   Amongst all the participants I found Debanajana, Anjana and Sonakshi rendering to be near to perfection.

SP Balasubramanyam, among other programmes in various languages, judges a Telugu singing talent show `PADUTA TEEYAGA’ in E-TV for the last 16 years.    Whether it was 16 years back when he was very busy with playback singing assignments in 5 languages or now when he is relatively free, he gave his 100%.   He keeps the lyrics of all the songs to be sung by the participants with him, most of the time uses head phone and while singing keep noting on the copy of the lyrics when and where the participants are flawing.   Immediately after the participants finish singing after giving encouraging and motivating remarks then he starts pointing out the flaws in singing – in pronouncing words, in singing styles, in mukhadas, antraas and landing notes – then he sings and shows how it is to be sung and then make the singer sing in proper style and ends by assuring that they have not done any crime and every one learns by committing mistakes only.    He adds lot of humour and gives lot of historical information about the song, music director, singers and what went in making the song.    

SP Balasubramanian

He never uses to words `winner’ and `loser’ in the programme, never allows anyone to cry or show any other emotions and never lead the participants in the garden path that they are ready for play-back singing,  instead he says it simply a singing competition and life does not come to an end if one doesn’t win it.    Many times he gives his own example that in his younger days in many singing competitions he stood 2^nd or even 3^rd and did his Engineering.   It is destiny that he became play back singers and went on to sing 40,000 songs and won national award in 3 langues.    That is the reason this vintage programme is most popular programme even after 16 years unbroken telecasting.  The audience not only looks forward for the singers singing but how SPB analysis and what tips he gives to the participants.     How I wish the various Hindi channels, specially Sony follow this pattern and brief their judges to do the role of mentors.    Unnecessary creation of hype and proving that the quality of participants and their programme is superior to others doesn’t serve any purpose and doesn’t help the young talent to hone their skills.

It is worth noting that in the 2nd Indian Idol Karunya was most favourite and ended up as runner up, 5th Indian Idol title was won by Sree Ram and both were from Andhra Pradesh and the First Indian Idol - Junior Anjana Pandmanabhan is from Karnataka but still Indian Idol auditions are not held in any of the South India states.     Hope Sony TV and other rival channels note this and hold auditions in South Indian states specially in AP and Karnataka.

S. Prabhakar

1.9.2013