Tag Archives: Mukesh Rishi

Brahmotsavam Movie Review: The Family Saga that Fails to Excite, Entice or Amuse in Any Manner

A leading man who at 40 can easily pass off as someone in his late 20’s naturally and who is a superstar by all means, with his previous film (Srimanthudu) being a blockbuster, that’s Mahesh Babu for you. A director who has only made 3 films prior to this, but all of them being different from each other, coming across comfortable working with newcomers as well as big stars, that’s director Srikanth Addala alright. A production house which is known to back its directors all the way, investing in the fashion that is needed for a film and whose last 2 Telugu ventures (Kshanam and Oopiri ) have come across as among the better Telugu films of late, that’s PVP Cinema‘s identity in case you aren’t aware. With Mahesh Babu, Srikanth Addala and PVP Cinema coming together to make Brahmotsavam, the film was indeed expected to be a grand celebration, worthy enough of the film’s title. Continue reading “Brahmotsavam Movie Review: The Family Saga that Fails to Excite, Entice or Amuse in Any Manner”

Sardaar Gabbar Singh Movie Review: All Sound and Fury, But Hey What about the Story?

The Salman Khan starrer Dabangg (2010) was not only a trendsetter of sorts in Hindi films; it even inspired similar versions in a few other languages, most notable of them being Gabbar Singh (2012) in Telugu. Despite basically using the same plot outline of Dabangg, director Harish Shankar made an effort to make a few simple changes, basically adapting it in a way that made sure that the personality of superstar Pawan Kalyan was well highlighted, making the film a delight to watch for fans and even the general audience. It was but natural that there would be an extension of the brand Gabbar Singh, after all who wouldn’t want to put his/her money on a winning horse.But with Dabangg 2 not meeting with the same reception as Dabangg the prospect of once again going for an adaptation was ruled out. After the mega success of Attarintiki Daaredi the project was announced, but there were frequent changes, the director, DOP and even the title ended up finally changing. What remained constant eventually was the presence of Pawan Kalyan and producer Sharrath Marar.Continue reading “Sardaar Gabbar Singh Movie Review: All Sound and Fury, But Hey What about the Story?”

Bruce Lee-The Fighter Movie Review: Where a Cameo Shines More than the Rest of the Film

Bruce Lee is definitely one among the few idols whom I have always looked up to. As a kid I grew up enjoying his action exploits on the big screen. Though he was gone well before I was even born, his films were extremely popular and continued getting released and re-released  even in the late 1970’s and 80’s. In fact if my memory serves me right, some of his films actually managed to get their first India release only in the 80’s. I would enjoy standing in front of the mirror and practicing his ‘moves’ and my parents would look on amused 🙂 . As I grew older and started reading and learning more about his life, I was all the more enthralled by the kind of person that he was. Imagine someone from Hong Kong who could manage to go on to the U.S, become popular all over the World as a martial arts exponent and an acclaimed actor on T.V and films,a star internationally and sadly departing from the World by the time he was 32. If this doesn’t qualify to call him a phenomenon, then what does?Continue reading “Bruce Lee-The Fighter Movie Review: Where a Cameo Shines More than the Rest of the Film”

Srimanthudu Movie Review: A Star Vehicle of the Right Kind? Well Almost

In today’s time and age it is fashionable to be working in the development sector, not that there aren’t some genuinely interested people as well there. It is even more prestigious and worthy of talking about if you are trying to do things that can directly impact the lives of many other people. Politicians have been doing it for ages, a lot of other celebrities indulge in it as well, and of course there are the social activists as well. But how many of them are into it on a genuine basis? Well we don’t know, but let’s just say that they would form the minority here.  Film stars with an eye for the political arena certainly try to do work in the social space; it’s a sure shot way of catching the attention of the public. Of course not everyone has succeeded in this endeavour but people continue to try this route from time to time. Similarly doing films with a portrayal of being a do gooder for the society isn’t something new. Right from the time of MGR and NTR we have been seeing such films. A good recent example would be A.R. Murugadoss’s Kaththi where the message comes across loud and clear. So why am I rambling about all this when it comes to the review of Srimanthudu? Don’t worry you will find out soon.Continue reading “Srimanthudu Movie Review: A Star Vehicle of the Right Kind? Well Almost”

Race Gurram Movie Review: This Race Horse Trots a Little, Steers off Course for a While but Still Wins the Race

Race Gurram PosterTill very recently I used to keep lamenting about the falling standards of Telugu Cinema and expressed my disappointment whenever I would end up watching anything and everything that was being projected as a good or great film, as I would disagree with the popular verdict on most occasions. Of late though I have made peace with myself and with the industry as by now I understand that the industry is passing through a tough phase, a phase that it has to pass through with great tact and control, to get itself rid of the mediocrity that prevails and all the ills that go along with it. Adding fuel to the fire is the constant political unrest that has now ensured that the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh has gone on to get split into two. For the Telugu audience for whom movie watching is a way of life and not a hobby, it is a little disheartening to see them starved of their regular dose of entertainment from time to time.Continue reading “Race Gurram Movie Review: This Race Horse Trots a Little, Steers off Course for a While but Still Wins the Race”

Race Gurram: Trailer

Race Gurram PosterDirector Surender Reddy has been considered a relatively safe bet in the Telugu film industry and for the first time he joins hands with Allu Arjun for Race Gurram (Race Horse). Allu Arjun has recently delivered hits like Iddarammayilatho (2013) and the recent Yevadu where he featured in a cameo. Race Gurram is written by Surender Reddy’s regular collaborator, Vakkantham Vamsi and is produced by Nallamalapu Srinivas and Dr. Venkateswara Rao. The film features Shruti Haasan as the female lead and the supporting cast includes Saloni Aswani, Shaam, Prakash Raj, Brahmanandam, Ali, Mukesh Rishi, Ravi Kishan, Sayaji Shinde, M.S.Narayana etc.Continue reading “Race Gurram: Trailer”

NTR Jr.'s Ramayya Vastavayya Movie Review: Same Old Telugu Revenge Drama

The expectations with Ramayya Vastavayya were huge, considering the fact that it brings back together producer Dil Raju and NTR Junior after the success of Brindaavanam. Also director Harish Shankar is fresh from the success of Gabbar Singh just as NTR Junior has been with Baadshah.

Like all mandatory Telugu big star film and like most NTR junior film which seem to exploit and milk the brand of actor NTR, this movie  is similar as it has NTR junior mouthing his grandfather NTR’s dialogues ‘Emantivi Emantivi’. NTR Junior (Nandu) is a college student who has no interest in studies at all. He falls in love with Akarsha (Samantha) at first sight, like many Telugu film makers would like to believe falling in love is the same as stalking, here we have Nandu stalking Akarsha and physically molesting her till she also falls in love with her.Continue reading “NTR Jr.'s Ramayya Vastavayya Movie Review: Same Old Telugu Revenge Drama”

Khiladi 786 Movie Review : True to the Template

Khiladi 786

Director: Ashish R Mohan

Rating: **
In Bollywood, similar movies often come in rashes. The current trend seems to be fixated on over-the-top actioners. Ever since a few of them have done well commercially, our sensibilities have been chronically assaulted by actors who have spent more time in the gym than at rehearsals.Continue reading “Khiladi 786 Movie Review : True to the Template”