Film: Rajanna
Rating: 3.5/5
Banner: Annapurna Studios
Cast: Nagarjuna, Sneha, Annie, Shweta Menon and others
Music: M M Keeravani
Executive Producer: Supriya
Produced by: Nagarjuna Akkineni
Story, screenplay, direction: Vijayendra Prasad
Release date: Dec 22, 2011
Have you ever seen a Telugu film where hero makes people fight with a mere song? Have you ever seen a film where hero doesn’t appear for about 1 hr after the film starts? Have you ever seen a film where you get contentment when the characters are taking revenge so cruelly? Have you ever enjoyed with pride when the hero dies like a martyr?
For all the above questions, 'Rajanna' is the answer.
Telugu cinema has been running on formula, rules and restrictions. There are many assumptions that it is difficult to make audiences glue to seats in theatres without laughs, jokes, eroticism and eccentricities.
Dumping all that nonsense aside, the film 'Rajanna' proved that a powerful and exciting film can be made when the story is narrated honestly.
Entire team of 'Rajanna' deserves great commendations.
Story:
Despite entire India got independence, Hyderabad was under the tyranny of Nizam. Those were the days when the people of Nelakondapalli in Adilabad those got toed down by dorasani (Shweta Menon). A little girl Mallamma (Annie), a victim of dorasani goes to Delhi to express the woes of her and people of Nelakondapalli. This little girl is none other than the daughter of Freedom Fighter Rajanna (Nagarjuna). It will be known in flash back how powerful Rajanna was and how he used to instigate people to revolt against feudal lords and their suppression. Finally, taking inspiration from the story of her own father, she makes Rajanna's dreams fulfilled.
Performances:
Although title role is portrayed by Nagarjuna, he will not appear till a few moments before interval. It is his brave attempt to do so being the producer as well. He changed his look in tune with the requirement for the role and added value with his stardom.
Despite Nagarjuna's absence in first half, Baby Annie could shoulder the film so efficiently. It is inevitable to fall flat for her performance by anyone.
Although Sneha appears only for little time, she made her presence felt. Shweta Menon is not up to the mark in bringing out the villainy. Nazar, Ajay, Mukesh Rishi etc are perfect.
Technical Team:
Keeravani's music is the main soul for the film. The songs and music with the fragrance of Telangana soil added fuel for the film. This can be tread as Keeravani's one of the best musicals. Dialogues are perfectly in tune with the plot. Cinematography and Editing are also spotless. Although it runs like an art film, Nagarjuna didn’t step back in pumping out enough budgets.
Director's Vijayendra Prasad's experience as a successful story writer added huge value for the film. He proved successful in narrating the heavy story so subtly. Rajamouli's 'veyyi debba veyyi' song picturization is the true spirit of the film.
Highlights:
- Veyyi Debba Veyyi song
- Keeravani's music
- Nagarjuna's star value
- Baby Annie
Drawbacks:
- No strength in climax scenes
Analysis:
This is not a regular commercial film. If anybody goes with commercial expectations, they may not like it. But if one has to watch the film with true and honest story line and narration, they cannot miss Rajanna. Nagarjuna should be lauded for giving importance only to story and not to artificial heroism. This story has ample scope to commercialize with regular beaten track formula methods. But no such cheap tricks were played here.
There is no hastiness in introducing hero character. Rajanna enters only when he is required to enter. That honesty is the true shield for the film. There are no artificial comedy scenes, no sexual eroticism and cheap scenes.
Rajanna looks like a man who sensitizes people but not like a super human. This honesty has been lacking in Telugu films these days.
No commercial Telugu movies can be seen with out comedians including Annamayya and Ramadasu. This is the only movie where you won't feel that the comedians are missing.
Initially many scared to know that there are so many songs in the film. But you will not feel like going out when song starts. That way, even the songs brought an exciting experience.
The scene where a little girl attacks a thief who runs away with mud, a scene where a kid attacks and kills a dora of gadi as a sign of revolt, a scene where an old woman breaks the head of a Nizam soldier getting instigated by the song of Rajanna are the highlight scenes those pump in excitement in the nerves of audience. No entertainment can match that excitement.
It is hard to say how this film works at box office. It is true that audience patronize good films. If they do, Rajanna becomes a trend setter.
Bottom Line: Superb!!
(Venkat can be reached at [email protected])
