Masth Review

A justified title to say, 'It is enough director'

The Telugu audiences are after SV Krishna Reddy's films once, as he used to direct films which are totally meant for family audiences and a good subject and clean entertainment. However, he lost the shine in recent times with most of his films getting rejected. Somehow he regained his image with a film like Pellam Oorelithe, but again he failed to win the confidence of the audiences, in the wake of the new wave directors, who were able to satisfy the penchant of the audiences of young generation and action-loving youth and mass audiences. After some gap, SVK got another opportunity in the form of Zee Films, who planned their entry into the Telugu film industry. But he could not utilise the chance properly by shedding a film which made mockery on the screen.

There are three youths - Siva (Sivaji), Sreenu (Srinivasa Reddy) and Gopi (Ali). While Siva wanted to become a model and in his pursuit lost both his eyes due to flashlights, while getting photographed in preparation of his profile. Likewise, Sreenu wanted to become a singer and during the practice, he loses his vocal chords and becomes dumb. However, Gopi (Ali) who works as an LIC agent, maintains both of them with his meagre earnings. Brahmam (Brahmanandam) lets out a portion to these three. Anupama (Anchal) works in a software company. Once a local goon Bhujangam eyes Anupama and somehow, she escapes from him. As the goon deeply falls in love with Anupama at first sight, he starts a search for him. While searching for Anupama, Bhujangam takes the help of a pan shop owner Narayana (MS Narayana). In order to escape from him, she takes the help of the trio. However, the latter make her believe that they are normal and did not let her know about their disability. Somehow, they used to manage their disability.

However, she learns about it after a sequence of events and advises them to get the surgeries done with the help of Arogyasri scheme of the government. Before getting operated, Siva thinks of proposing to Anupama and at the same time she reveals her flashback and about her love. In fact, Anupama falls in love with Balaji (Siva Balaji) and how they got separated and how she realised the greatness in him. By the time, the two friends get back the vision and voice, Balaji reaches the city. Narayana finds her and informs Bhujangam that Anupama was in a hospital with her boyfriend. Bhujangam reaches the hospital. He decides to kill all those who come between himself and Anupama. In the melee, Bhujangam's opponent hurls a bomb and Balaji, Siva and Sreenu save him. Repenting his mistake, Bhujangam unites Anupama and Balaji and quits the place in the climax. The film ends on a happy note with Siva turning a model, Sreenu turning a good singer.

PLUS AND MINUS: The film has nothing much to talk about. While the film rolls on, the audiences would get a feel of watching a typical comedy skit, without any logic. Sivaji, who is getting groomed as hero with a couple of good films, again losing his image by accepting absurd subjects. He could not convince the audiences as a visually challenged. Srinivasa Reddy too tried his best to live in is role but could not do justice. Same is the case with Ali. Despite a seasoned artiste, the director failed to make use of his seniority. Once again the director committed a mistake by running a love plus comedy track on the villain. It is unconvincing that a hardcore criminal who used to do settlements and murders turning a comedy villain suddenly. Despite having a gang of criminals and network, he could not trace the heroine. Even behind the screen, none of the technicians worked with dedication. The lip moment and body language failed to sync in any scene. Camera work by Srinivasa Reddy is so so, while editing by Nagireddy is haphazard. There are many scenes which have no relevance. Music by Krishna Reddy is average and the placement of songs is bad. Anchal Sabharwal, who had the similarities of Sindhu Tulani in certain angles, resorted to good skin show during the song scenes.

REMARKS: Especially the audiences are in for a shock whether they are watching a film from an experienced and good director like SV Krishna Reddy or a debutant and immature director. It appears that the producers convinced him to use his name but got the film directed by some one else. Those who watched the film really came to a conclusion that time had come for SV Krishna Reddy to retire from films instead of making the audiences fools.

Tailpiece: The producers planned the publicity in a different way by publishing posters with a cherry and ants. Incidentally, the film too had become a stale sweet, which is surrounded by ants. Don't dare to touch it, as the ants might bite you and harm you and your skin

Cast: Sivaji, Siva Balaji, Srinivasa Reddy, Ali, Anchal Sabharwal, Brahmanandam, Raghubabu, Uttej, MS Narayana, Ranganath and others

Credits: Story – Saikrishna Biyyapu, Dialogues – Marudhuri Raja, Editing – Nagireddy, Camera – Srinivasa Reddy, Presents – Zee Motion Pictures, Producer – P Goenka, Screeenplay, Music and Direction – S V Krishna Reddy.

Banner: Agile Film Corporation

Released on: January 23, 2009