Movie: Appatlo Okadundevadu
Rating: 3.25/5
Banner: Aryan Media
Cast: Nara Rohit, Sree Vishnu, Tanya Hope, Brahmaji, Srinivas Reddy and others
Music: Sai Karteek
Cinematography: Naveen Yadav
Editing: Kotagiri Venkateshwara Rao
Producers: Prashanti and Krishna Vijay
Written and Directed by: Saagar K Chandra
Release date: December 30, 2016
Nara Rohit acted in many films this year but only one movie succeeded this year. So there are not many expectations on his latest film "Appatlo Okadundevadu" that hit the screens today. Still, the movie's trailer impressed film lovers.
Let's find out whether the young director has lived up to the promise he shown with the trailer.
Story:
Story is set in the backdrop of 90's in Hyderabad. Railway Raju (Sree Vishnu) loves cricket, Nithya (Tanya) and his mother but his dream is to get berth in national cricket team. When he is about to realize his dream, a police officer called Imtiaz (Nara Rohit) spoils his life.
Imtiaz is an encounter specialist who is on the mission to nab Naxalites. He suspects that Railway Raju has links with or information about naxalites. Due to circumstances Raju turns into criminal and his life goes out of his hand.
Artistes’ Performances:
Although the film has Nara Rohith in the main lead, it is Sree Vishnu who is the main hero. Sree Vishnu has got the role that requires him to portray varied emotions and he has succeeded for the most part.
Nara Rohith has once again come up with restrained and good performance. Tanya doesn't make much impression. Ajay as greedy loaner scores in the role.
Technical Excellence:
The film has decent technical values but has low production values perhaps due to budget constraints. Background score is good. Dialogues are neat. Artwork is appreciable.
Highlights:
Backdrop of the story
Interesting climax
Direction
Performances of the lead actors
Drawback:
Uneven pace
Analysis:
The story is about two guys - Raju and Imtiaz, an aspiring cricketer and a strict police officer. Director Sagaar K Chandra, who debuted with "Ayyare", has picked up a story that is different from regular Telugu masala movies.
Gangs that grab the land, naxalism, growing middle class aspirations, and criminal activities in the 90's ... all these are used effectively in the story.
The director doesn't focus on silly romantic drama or escapist songs but has stuck to the main drama about Railway Raju, the cricketer and his turbulence.
The story goes back and forth with past and present like how A R Murugadoss narrated the "Ghazini" story.
Sagar Chandra's screenplay at time has slackened but he has written a strong climax that has worked for the advantage of the movie. It is climax that makes you appreciate his efforts.
In most part of the movie, the character of Nara Rohith doesn't appear, and when he comes, the drama thickens and heightens the mood. One of the highlights of the movie apart from climax part is the jail episode. To get out from the jail, Sree Vishnu plays cricket and hits sixes....this episode is told in nail-biting manner.
The atmosphere of 90's is also created well. The director's hard work is seen here. Although heroine and the movie's songs are downers, the performances of Sree Vishnu and Nara Rohith and the background music have helped the movie a lot.
Overall, despite some drawbacks, director Sagar Chandra has come up with a serious and interesting subject. All serious movie lovers will definitely like "Appatlo Okadundevadu" as it creates right mood for the subject and is narrated well.
Bottom-line: One Of Its Kind
