GODFATHER – IS IT A BEGINNING OF NEW CHAPTER IN CHIRANJEEVI CAREER?

Traditionally in Telugu States Dusshera is welcomed by release of movies of big stars and this year it is the turn of Chirajeevi’s Godfather and Nagarjuna’s Ghost.  

The much awaited movie of Mega Star’s Godfather has released in Telugu and Hindi with huge expectations after a very disappointed and rare disaster `Acharya’ with his son Ram Charan.    Godfather is refreshing in many ways and looked like a new chapter in Charanjeevi career may be keeping in view his advancing age.  There are many firsts in his entire career of over 154 movies – no heroin no songs and dance numbers for him in the entire movie except the dance number with Salman with end credits.   He did not go in for over-the-top costumes (sticking to Dhoti and shirt like in Malayalam original), and dialogue baaji.  He has relied very effectively on his expressive eyes and controlled emotions.   Most importantly he liberally shared screen space with other actors like Satyadev, Nayanatara, Murali sharma though it is more than the Original Malayalm version.  

 

For some strange reasons Chiranjeevi has once again gone for a remake, this time Mohanlal hit Malayalam movie `Lucifer’ which was dubbed and released in both Telugu states.    Godfather is a very interesting and intriguing political drama with twists and turns where Hero resorts to more of mind games than settling scores with fist blows.   Few modifications have been done to original Lucifer story adding more of brother-sister sentiments, extending jail episode etc., to go with mega image of Chirajeevi.  

As always Chirajeevi carried the entire movie on his broad and experienced shoulders, mostly under-performing with limited dialogues.   Director Mohana Raja has succeeded in elevating almost all critical scenes by Chiru’s magnetic presence, fiery eyes, expressive face and good but loud back ground score by Taman.   He is very ably supported by Satyadev, Murali sharma and always reliable Nayanatara.   After almost 2 decades we had a Telugu speaking villain in Satyadev.   Telugu movie industry has been served by legendary villains right from R Nageswara Rao, Rajanala (who stood tough and tall against NTR), Nagabhushanam, Satyanarayana, Rao Gopal Rao and Kota Srinivas.    But the misfortune is that for over last two decades, very small time Bollywood under employed villains like Sharad Saxena, Shinde and Mukesh Rishi and host of others were preferred over highly talented Telugu speaking actors.    Satyadev has more than justified the confidence reposed on him to pit him against Telugu top star Chiru.   He was not overawed by his presence and presented himself well in all shades of villainary.   Nayanatara did a great job and gave a matured performance.   Murali sharma, who has came back to his Telugu roots after working for few years in Bollywood, was excellent though one could find shades of his famous role in `Ala Vaikhutapuramlo’.   He has mastered in giving very precise expressions with right kind of body language.   Prakash Raj loss, due to his difference of opinion with many Telugu producers, turned out to be the gain of Murali Sharma.   Sunil is irritating with his limited expressions and still struggling to overcome his image as comedian.   Veteran Director Puri Jaganath had a very decent debut as an actor.  

Salman Debut in Telugu movies:  Telugu/South Indian movies are in such a roll that every Bollywood actor, big or small want to be part of it and for South indian movies it works well in boosting their presence in Hindi belt.    After Amitabh, Akshay, Ajay Devgan and Sanjay Dutt, Salman makes his debut in south with Godfather.   But I must say it has been very disappointing, the roles is too short, does not have any significance, not written well at all and he too made very casual appearance almost making one wonder why on the earth he accepted such insignificant role all of 10 minutes.    He looked so worn out both in action scene and dance number.   It looked as if they are using graphics for making him look young.  When Telugu producers have such deep pockets, why they don’t  get a nice and meaty role written for such super stars from Bollywood even if it is short.   It seemed he spent more time promoting the movie rather than in shooting.    The dance number with Chiru directed by the highly overrated Prabhu Deva has turned to be a dud.  Dance directors Lawrance or Shekar would have done far better job, Chiru is more agile and graceful in his dance movements even at this age.    Even the action scene of Salman and Chiru is very poorly conceived and executed looking like the climax scene of Suryavamsi.  

Overall should be enjoyable for Telugu Audience specially die hard Chiru fans. Not much to recommend for Hindi audience.  Hardly any publicity was done in Hindi belt for Chiru’s return to Bollywood after 3 decades after successful outing with Pratibhand and Aaaj Ka Gunda Raj, and may be producers will take whatever comes from Hindi version as bonus.  

 

S. Prabhakar

6.10.2022