Based
on
renowned
Tamil
writer
Poomani's
novel
Vekkai,
Narappa
starring
Venkatesh
Daggubati,
Priyamani,
Rajeev
Kanakala,
Karthik
Rathnam,
Nassar,
and
Rao
Raemesh
in
prominent
roles
released
today
(July
20)
on
Amazon
Prime
Video.
Directed
by
Brahmotsavam
fame
Srikanth
Addala,
the
film
is
the
official
remake
of
Tamil
rural
drama
Asuran
featuring
Dhanush
and
Manju
Warrier.
Backed
by
Kalaipuli
S
Thanu
and
D
Suresh
Babu,
the
film
was
earlier
slated
to
release
theatrically
in
May
2021,
however,
the
makers
had
to
drop
the
plan
owing
to
the
second
wave
of
COVID-19
pandemic.
Considering
the
fact
that
Narappa
is
the
remake
of
a
National
Award-winning
film,
there
has
indeed
been
a
lot
of
expectations
since
its
maiden
announcement.
Did
the
Venkatesh-starrer
live
up
to
the
expectations
of
audiences
and
critics
who
were
eagerly
waiting
for
the
film?
Let's
find
out!
What's
Wow:
Venkatesh,
Priyamani,
film's
storyline,
cinematography
and
background
score
What's
Ouch:
Less
intensity
at
places
First
things
first,
though
Narappa
is
a
scene-by-scene
copy
of
its
Tamil
counterpart
Asuran,
one
should
probably
not
make
any
sort
of
comparisons,
as
doing
so
would
be
unfair.
Having
said
that,
one
thing
is
definite
that
the
Venkatesh-starrer
has
not
let
down
the
soul
of
the
film's
original
version,
which
needs
to
be
applauded.
The
Srikanth
Addala
directorial
follows
Narappa
(Venkatesh)
and
his
family
when
his
teenage
son
kills
a
local
big
shot,
to
avenge
his
brother's
ruthless
murder
post
a
land
dispute.
In
order
to
protect
his
hot-blooded
son,
Narappa
takes
him
to
different
locations
to
escape
the
goons
who
are
on
a
mission
to
track
them
down
along
with
his
family
members
including
his
wife
(Priyamani),
daughter
and
brother-in-law
who
are
now
scattered
in
different
areas.
Though
everyone
presumes
that
Narappa
is
a
submissive
father
who
withdraws
himself
from
situations
out
of
sheer
fear,
a
totally
different
version
of
the
farmer
is
shown
post
the
intermission,
which
emanates
the
reason
why
he
later
becomes
a
naive
person.
Will
Narappa
be
able
to
save
his
son
and
the
rest
of
the
family
members
from
the
deadly
goon
and
his
minions?
Well,
you
will
have
to
watch
the
film
on
Amazon
Prime
Video
to
know
what
unfolds
at
the
end.
Story
and
Direction
As
mentioned
already,
though
the
film
is
a
scene-by-scene
copy
of
Asuran,
the
director
has
tried
his
best
to
modify
the
original
storyline
to
make
it
more
appealing
to
the
Telugu
audience,
which
is
evident
in
a
few
places.
Even
though
there
are
slight
modifications,
Srikanth
has
not
shaken
the
original
soul
of
the
film
and
it
definitely
needs
to
be
appreciated.
Given
that
Narappa
is
a
heart-wrenching
tale,
the
director
has
made
the
best
use
of
dark
coloured
palette,
high
dose
of
emotions
and
heart-rending
music
that
incorporates
well
with
the
actual
story.
Though
the
action
sequences
featuring
Venkatesh
were
also
commendable,
a
few
of
them
seemed
less
intense,
presumably
because
of
the
slow-paced
camera
work.
The
touching
dialogues
of
Venkatesh,
Rao
Ramesh
and
Priyamani
have
no
doubt
done
wonders.
Performances
Venkatesh:
The
actor
has
the
Midas
touch
to
embrace
a
role
and
make
it
his
own,
and
Narappa
serves
as
proof
for
the
same.
The
superstar
has
undoubtedly
pulled
off
his
character
with
utter
ease.
In
most
parts,
it
is
his
expressions
and
eyes
that
do
all
the
talking.
His
nuanced
performance,
the
way
with
which
he
carries
different
emotions
that
are
extreme
and
dialogue
deliveries
simply
proves
that
the
rural
drama
is
perhaps
among
his
best
undertakings.
At
times,
we
feel
helpless
watching
him
on
screen
pleading
before
everyone
to
ensure
the
safety
of
his
son.
Priyamani:
The
actress
plays
the
role
of
a
strong-willed
and
emotional
mother
to
perfection.
Her
effortless
performance
and
combination
sequences
with
Venkatesh
are
praiseworthy.
Technical
Aspects
Be
it
the
music
composition,
editing
or
cinematography,
the
right
proportion
of
each
and
every
aspect
has
only
pushed
the
film
forward
and
that
too
in
a
way
that
looks
impressive.
From
the
start
till
the
end,
Mani
Sharma's
background
music
and
songs
gel
with
the
flow
of
the
narrative.
Editing
by
Marthand
K
Venkatesh
has
undeniably
scored
big
time,
as
Narappa
doesn't
give
way
to
unnecessary
lags
or
sequences
and
maintains
a
focus
throughout.
Shyam
K
Naidu
has
done
decent
work
with
his
lens.
The
sequences
captured
in
the
dark
and
daylight
look
convincing
and
lets
the
narrative
take
the
course
naturally.
Verdict
This
Venkatesh-Priyamani-starrer
should
not
be
compared
with
its
Tamil
counterpart
Asuran,
as
it
speaks
for
itself
loud
and
clear.
Narappa
is
high
on
emotion
and
dramatically
impactful,
all
thanks
to
the
actors'
intense
performances,
to-the-point
storyline,
requisite
action
sequences,
compelling
music
composition
and
of
course
the
breathtaking
cinematography.
Overall,
the
Srikanth
Addala
directorial
has
its
heart
in
the
right
place.