Movie: Nannaku Prematho
Rating: 3/5
Banner: Sri Venkateshwara Cine Chitra
Cast: NTR, Rakul Preet Singh, Rajendra Prasad, Jagapathi Babu, Rajeev Kanakala, Madhubala, Avasaral Srinavasa Rao, Amith, Taguboth Ramesh and others
Music: Devi Sri Prasad
Cinematography: Vijaya Chakravarthi
Editing: Naveen
Produced by: BVSN Prasad
Story, Screenplay, Directed by: Sukumar
Release Date: January 13, 2016
Ever since the film has been announced, fans of NTR have been anxiously awaiting for the release of Nannaku Prematho.
With the trailer have been received well and setting new records on YouTube and the buzz around the film being high, Nannaku Prematho has become most-awaited Sankranthi release. Also the film facing some obstacles from some political personalities, it has created further hype. So does the film lives up to the buzz? Let’s find out.
Story:
The story is set in London. Subramanyam alias Ramesh Chandra Prasad (Rajendra Prasad) is cheated by an evil entrepreneur Krishnamoorthy (Jagapathi Babu). Years pass, his three sons grow up to be successful in life. But Subramanyam has only one dream – to see the fall of Krishnamoorthy. His younger son Abhiram decides to fulfill his father’s wish by bringing down the business empire of Krishnamoorthy.
Artistes’ Performances:
NTR has not only transformed into a complete stylish avatar, he also has entered into the skin of the character. His performance, his diction, his style, and body language are totally different from what we have seen so far from him. As a young person with a calculated approach, he has done his best. He does neither mass appealing dialogues or nor heavy fights.
Jagapathi Babu as selfish and evil business person who builds his empire by taking over other’s business in cunning way is top class. He has not only looked stylish but is very evil. One of the best villain characterizations written in Tollywood.
Rakul is very beautiful as Divyanka, daughter of Jagapathi Babu. Rajendra Prasad is seen mostly attached to chair and bedridden but he has given believable performance.
Rajeev Kanakala has returned to screen after long time as brother to NTR. Avasarala, Taguboth Ramesh and Madhubala in a cameo are okay.
Technical Excellence:
The movie boasts terrific visual quality thanks to cinematographer Vijay Chakravarthi’s first rate camera and also because of its locations. Entire film is set or shot in UK and Spain. The movie has rich quality throughout. Each frame in the film is beautiful.
The office set of Jagapathi Babu’s created by Ravindar is superb. The film needs much trimming. Fights are okay. Devi Sri Prasad’s music has gelled perfectly with the storyline.
Highlights:
- NTR’s performance and his new look
- London backdrop
- Terrific visuals
- First half
- Some emotional scenes
Drawbacks:
- Excessive length
- Too brainy
- Too much focus on mathematics, science and other things
- Inconsistency in second half
Analysis:
Since it is NTR’s 25th movie, Nannaku Prematho has had many expectations and also there were some apprehensions would Sukumar make another complicated “1 Nenokkadine” with NTR since it is also set in foreign backdrop and also about father and son. Thankfully, this is not as complicated as 1 Nenokkadine.
Nannaku Prematho is a simple story of a son taking revenge on the guy who did wrong to his father. A typical commercial storyline but since it is Sukumar’s movie it is told in lavish, stylish and emotional way with too much stress on logic, science, butterfly effect, psychology.
The film puts burden on your mind at the same time gives pleasure for being different from the regular commercial entertainers.
Sukumar reveals the total story and hero’s mission in the very beginning and focuses on how NTR woos Rakul in the first half which is enjoyable one. The love track between NTR and Rakul, though full of geometry and other things, reeks of novelty.
Trouble begins in the second half as the revenge drama is dragged on and on. Also the last moments have good emotion but the sequences are too lengthy.
Sukumar should be commended for presenting NTR totally in different stylish avatar and showing us altogether new NTR. There are also many good episodes that show the director’s creativity.
But Sukumar is also unnecessarily complicating simple scenes, and he has lost the original chirpiness in romantic track he has shown in entertainers like Aarya and 100 % Love.
Strangely, in the film where hero talks too logically, in many scenes logic goes for the toss.
All in all, Nannaku Prematho is mixed bag – with some stunning moments, breezy romance, and intelligent screenplay and yet it burdens the mind with some unnecessary scenes, lengthy second half.
Bottomline: Too Classy and too brainy!
(Venkat can be reached [email protected] or Twitter)
