Tag Archives: Tanikella Bharani

V (2020) Telugu Movie Review: Bullets Misfired

In films from southern India, especially Tamil and Telugu industry, the film revolves around the lead actor. So whenever a film is announced without a title, the film is generally referred by the name of the lead actor and the forthcoming number of his (as per his filmography). Actors pay an important attention to milestone films likes their 25th or 50th  and so on. Continue reading “V (2020) Telugu Movie Review: Bullets Misfired”

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?”

Thozha Movie Review: An Unlikely Tale of Friendship That Works Quite Well

When I first heard of someone having acquired the official remake rights for the French Film The Intouchables (2011), I was mildly amused. Later when I heard that PVP Cinema was going to adapt the film in Tamil and Telugu, having bought the rights from Guneet Monga I was quite surprised, even a little annoyed I must admit. I was wondering why would they want to really play around with such a sensitive well-made film which is based on a real life story of two friends from totally contrasting backgrounds. With names like Nagarjuna and NTR Jr. being discussed initially, later giving way to Nagarjuna and Karthi and with a director who has a successful track record for making mainstream commercial films, Vamshi Paidipally I was somehow feeling uneasy. After all everything seemed to indicate that this could be the opposite of a simple, fun filled and realistic film, but then I was hoping to be proved wrong. Continue reading “Thozha Movie Review: An Unlikely Tale of Friendship That Works Quite Well”

Bengal Tiger Movie Review: Roaring Start, Tiring Finish

Ravi Teja is probably one of the most entertaining actors in Indian Cinema and I can say this with a fair degree of conviction. What’s remarkable about him is the progress he has undertaken over the last 25 years or so that he has been in the Telugu film industry. Starting off as a character artiste, playing small characters in numerous films, while also being an assistant director it took him nearly a decade to graduate to and get accepted as the leading man. For someone who came into the industry without any Godfather his ascent to stardom has indeed been commendable, especially considering that unlike him nearly all the top actors in Telugu Cinema hail from a film family. Over the years Ravi Teja has strongly built up a fanbase, people who like him for his casual yet powerful dialogue delivery style, his terrific comic timing and overall for being a true entertainer. No wonder that he went on to earn the title “Mass Maharaja” with which he is being referred to of late. But in all his over enthusiasm to keep the audience entertained he has been doing a spate of formula films, with his track record at the box office going for a toss very often.Continue reading “Bengal Tiger Movie Review: Roaring Start, Tiring Finish”

Kick 2 Movie Review: This ‘Kick’ Provides No ‘Comfort’

One of the hallmarks of a mass masala movie is having a hero who is brave, quick witted and totally endearing to the audience. So in 2009 when director Surender Reddy and Ravi Teja joined hands together for Kick, what emerged as a result was a complete entertainer, taking full advantage of Ravi Teja’s versatility. Kick went on to be remade in various languages, the most popular of them being the Hindi version of the same name, which released last year. Hence it was quite an event to look forward to, when the announcement of the sequel, Kick 2 was done last year. While Surender Reddy, writer Vakkantham Vamsi and actor Ravi Teja were signed on for the sequel as well, actor Nandamuri Kalyan Ram stepped in as producer, in place of R.R.Venkat who made the original. Through his banner N.T.R.Arts, Kalyan Ram has been producing films for the last several years, but this is the first time that he has produced a film which doesn’t feature him in the lead.Continue reading “Kick 2 Movie Review: This ‘Kick’ Provides No ‘Comfort’”

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”

D For Dopidi: Trailer

Krishna D.K and Raj Nidimoru have been noticed for their Hindi films like 99 and Shor in the City, whereby they seem to have left their mark by narrating interesting stories. Now both of them who have spent a long time in Hyderabad are ready with their first Telugu film, D For Dopidi ( Dopidi means robbery ). This time around they remain only as producers and the film is written and directed by Siraj Kalla. Music is by Mahesh Shankar and Sachin-Jigar while Lukasz Pruchnik  is the DOP and Dharmendhra Kakarala is the editor.Continue reading “D For Dopidi: Trailer”

Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu-Trailer

With Pawan Kalyan striking back to form with the resounding success of Gabbar Singh, his latest film Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu ( CGTR from here on ) is red hot in the trade right now. This film is directed by Puri Jagannath who has already had 2 releases this year so far- the successful Businessman starring Mahesh Babu and the dismal Devudu Chesina Manushulu starring Ravi Teja. Continue reading “Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu-Trailer”