Damarukam - Movie Review: A Nagarjuna show

Telugu movie Damarukam (Dhamarukamm) has finally hit the marquee after being delayed for more than a year. But it is really worth waiting. Prior its release, the hype and promotions of the film have soared up the audience's curiosity to the sky high. It surely meets all your expectations. Lead actors' best performances, wonderful story and its rich production values will definitely take you by surprise.

Damarukam is a romantic action flick. Nagarjuna's electrifying performance is the main highlight of the film and its special effects are its other main attraction. Its beautiful story, dialogues and narration, Devi Sri Prasad's rocking music, wonderful picturisation, stunning fights, comedy, beautiful locales, costumes and art work are its other highlights. A few illogical and artificial scenes are its drawbacks, which you might miss to observe clearly, while you are busy enjoying the film.

It is a socio-fantasy movie, which revolves around the story of a common man, who fights against a Rakshasha with the help of Lord Shiva and saves the world. Director Srinivasa Reddy has selected a wonderful script for Damarukam and has a good grip over the tempo. He manages to keep you glued to the screen with a few comedy sequences and romantic songs in the first half. But the movie goes on a serious mode in the second half. The amazing VFX work in the 30-minute climax is sure to leave you spellbound.

Mallikarjuna (Nagarjuna) is a common man, who falls in love with a girl named Maheshwari (Anushka Shetty). Meanwhile, a villain (Ravi Shankar) enters the scene. He has supernatural powers and wants to control the panchabhutas - earth, sky, air, fire and water. He tries to kill Mallikarjuna's lady love. How is this entire concept linked to Lord Shiva and Kaialsam? How does a common man fight against super-powered evils? Srinivasa Reddy answers these questions with his brilliant graphics work on screens.

Damarukam is the big budget movie in the career of Nagarjuna. Likewise, performance wise, it is also his best movie. The King has delivered brilliant performance in all fight, dance, sentimental and comedy sequences. It is Nag's show all through the movie. Anushka Shetty has less scope for acting, but she impresses you in song sequences. Prakash Raj, Ravi Shankar, Brahmanandam and others have also lived up to their respective roles.

The movie has 70 minutes of stunning special effects, which are the main attraction in the technical front. Devi Sri Prasad's song compositions and background score are other highlights. His tunes like 'Reppalapai', 'Nestama' and 'Shiva Sankara' will be remembered even after you are out of theatres. Amazing fight scenes are its another big asset. Chota K Naidu's camerawork in songs and fights is superb. Other departments like dialogues, costumes, art work and editing are also commendable.

Overall, Damarukam is a best treat for this weekend. It is a must watch film, irrespective of whether you are a fan of Nagarjuna or not. Enjoy it this weekend.

Producer: RR Venkat

Director: Srinivasa Reddy

Cast: Nagarjuna, Anushka Shetty, Prakash Raj, Brahmanandam, Ravi Shankar, Charmi

Music: Devi Sri Prasad

Release Date: 9th Oct 2012

Censor: U/A certificate