Movie: Bootcut Balaraju
Rating: 1.5/5
Banner: Global Films & Katha Veruntadhi
Cast: Syed Sohel Ryan, Meghalekha, Sunil, Indraja,Vennela Kishore, Brahmaji, Mukku Avinash, Jabardast Rohini, Siri Hanumanth, Suman and others
Dialogues: Dubasi Rakesh, 'Jabardasth' Ramprasad
Music: Bheems Ceciroleo
DOP: Shyam K Naidu
Editor: Vijay Vardhan
Art Director: Vithal Kosanam
Producer: Md. Pasha
Written and Directed by: Sree Koneti
Release Date: Feb 02, 2024
Sohel Ryan shot to fame with “Bigg Boss” show and he has been getting chances in films. His latest film “Bootcut Balraju” hit the theaters today.
Let’s find out its merits and demerits.
Story:
Balaraju (Sohel) and his gang are carefree young men. They have no goals in their lives. Plus, Balaraju is neither good at studies. But, Balraju finds himself in a situation where he must transform into a responsible man in order to win the love of Mahalakshmi (Meghalekha).
Balraju decides to challenge Indravathi Patel (Indraja) in the Sarpanch elections.
Can Balaraju win the election despite his reputation as a do-nothing guy?
Artistes’ Performances:
Sohel has body language that suits care-free guy characters. He just does it here, nothing else. His character is poorly written.
Indraja as Indravathi is good but of no use being part of this film. Heroine Meghalekha is fine as the daughter of Patelamma, and the main female lead. Siri Hanumanthu is the other female lead who is okay.
There are many actors, including Sunil, who appear here and there and perform boring so-called comedic stints.
Technical Excellence:
The film has standard technical output, and nothing much to rave about. Bheem’s songs are better than the rest of the technical output.
Even Shyam K Naidu’s photography is just adequate enough.
Highlights:
Couple of jokes
Two songs
Drawback:
Routine plot
Never ending clichéd sequences
Lack of engaging episodes
Boring narrative
Tasteless writing
Analysis
"Bootcut Balaraju" is a clichéd rural comedy where the main character's sole objective is to become a winner in his pursuit of love. A decade ago, we would frequently encounter such storylines in the comedy films of Allari Naresh. The only difference is that Sohel's film takes place in present-day Telangana and showcases the comedic skits performed by the Jabardasth gang.
The "bootcut" is the symbol that the hero receives when running for Sarpanch elections. Hence the title. Allari Naresh's films had similar titles, such as "Blade Babji" and "Seema sastri". In other words, "Bootcut Balaraju" lacks novelty.
Much of the first half of the film focuses on the hero's lighthearted demeanor, his banter with his friends, campus jokes, village fights, and song-dance routines. There's also the usual romance scene.
The narrative subsequently redirects its attention to the primary conflict in Balaraju's life, and subsequently delves into the extensive episode of village elections.
From the outset, the director's objective is evident: to portray Sohel as a youthful protagonist with mass appeal. In an effort to appeal to the mass audience, the film incorporates predictable clichéd scenes. The portrayal of the hero is a total failure. The excessively theatrical scenes towards the climax exacerbate the feeling of boredom.
Sunil, Saddaam, and Mukku Avinash have attempted to generate laughs. However, the remaining portion of the film adheres strictly to a predictable formula and is quite challenging to sit through.
Overall, "Bootcut Balaraju" tests our patience. Aside from a few jokes, the film is tediously dull and boring.
Bottom line: Tests Patience
