Nene Raju Nene Manthri Review

Movie:    Nene Raju Nene Mantri

Cast: Rana Daggubati, Kajal Agarwal, Catherine Tresa, Navdeep, Posani Krishna Murali, Ashutosh Rana and Others

Written and Directed by: Teja

Producer: Suresh Babu, Kiran Reddy and Bharath Chowdary

Music: Anoop Rubens

Cinematographer: Venkat C Dilip

Editor: Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao

Banner: Suresh Productions and Blue Planet Entertainments LLP

Certificate: UA

Runtime: 152 minutes

Release Date: August 11th, 2017

Behind the Screens:

Rana Daggubati is still awaiting for hit as a solo hero. He is teaming up with director Teja who delivered several blockbusters like chithram, nuvvu nenu and jayam etc long years ago but now he is going through a lean patch for many years. Their combination film, Nene Raju Nene Mantri is releasing today with a lot of expectations created by the trailer. Let us see how the movie is??

Story-line:

Jogendra (Rana Daggubati) is a money lender in Uravakonda from Kurnool, Rayalaseema Region who loves his wife more than anything else in the World. One day, she is insulted by a village head(Sarpanch)’s wife and to teach her and her husband a lesson, Jogendra vows to become a Sarpanch. He not only becomes Sarpanch but also MLA. Later he wants become chief minister. How that happens forms the rest of the story.

Performances:

Rana Daggubati is totally involved in the role of Jogendra. But he needs improve in emotional scenes especially. Kajal Agarwal is a perfect fit as his wife, Radha. She settled in her character. Catherine Tresa is restricted to glamorous scenes as a TV Reporter. Navdeep, Posani Krishna Murali, Ashutosh Rana and others performed in their roles.

Analysis:

Director Teja came up with political satire 'Nene Raju Nene Mantri'. First half is good with high-speed game of chess and Teja has ensured that on screen as well with his gripping narration and well-written scenes. Rana’s performance just complimented his work. But then, the track between Jogendra and Radha is stretched beyond the limit in the second half. The climax could have been handled better. The comedy of Posani and Prabhas Sreenu worked in the second half. Few satirical episodes of contemporary political issues are impressive. 

Technical Values:

Anoop Rubens has come up with a decent album and excellent background score. Songs are situational. Radhamma Radhamma, Jogendra songs are good. The camera work by Dilip C Venkat is very impressive. Editing should have been better in the second half. Few Dialogues are  thought-provoking. Production Values are Grand.

Thumbs Up:

- Rana

- 2 songs

-  Few thought-provoking dialogues

Thumbs down:

- No proper Bound Script

- Lack of clarity over few episodes

- Poor climax 

- Dragged 2nd half 

Final Verdict: 

'Nene raju nene manthri' is Misfired attempt of good point i.e contemporary political drama with Lack of clarity over few episodes that would be raise.

Director aTeja certainly reinvented himself with this film. His contemporary touch to the Political Thriller with a racy screenplay worked well. If he took little of care in second half, it may have worked immensely in the film’s favor. 

Review by Manikick

Rating:   2.75/5

Baahubali 2 Movie Review

Movie: Baahubali 2

Cast: Prabhas, Anushka, Rana, Tamannah, Ramya Krishna, Nassar, Subbaraj, Satyaraj and others

Directed and Screenplay by SS Rajamouli

Story and Dialogues: Vijayendra Prasad

Producer: Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni

Music: Keeravani

Cinematographer: K.K. Senthil Kumar

Editor: Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao

Banner: Arka Media

Censor Certificate: UA

Runtime : 170 minutes

Release date: April 28th, 2017

Watched Premiere show at PVR Cinemas, Inorbit Mall, Hyd

Behind the Screens:

After the Historic Victory of Baahubali – The Beginning. All eyes on Baahubali -The Conclusion to know the answer, Why Kattappa Killed Baahubali?? and experience the visual feast on screen. The movie which has seen never before attention from the audience of all the industries. First Part set new box-office records along National Film Awards. And now question is Will Baahubali2 cross 1000 crore gross?? Lets find out whether Rajamouli succedded or not?

Story-line:

Baahubali – The Conclusion begins where the first part(Baahubali – The Beginning) ends. It reveals the suspense about Why Kattappa, a loyalist to the Crown pierced a dagger into Amarendra Baahubali’s (Prabhas) spine. And then the other part of the film is all about how Mahendra Baahubali (Prabhas) takes revenge for the insult of his mother (Devasana) and get back the throne from the crooked Bhallaladeva (Rana Daggubati).

Performances:

Baahubali series is the sweat and blood of Prabhas. Prabahs is extremely good as Amarendra Baahubali and it can be clearly seen from his effortless transformation in different roles in the movie. He gave 4.5 years of his time to this movie and he gave his best. His royality looks awesome. Sivudu portion is less. After Prabhas, Anushka as Deva sena got screen presence in the movie. She played a gutsy old woman role in the first part is seen as a warrior princess.  She pulled it off effortlessly. She is terrific in her characterization. Her body perfectly fits for this role. Anushka looks stunning. Rana is ferocious. He has shown his capacity in the climax shots. And his screen presence is less when compares to first part. Tamannah has little space in this part. Ramya Krishna as Sivagami has limited space here. Sathyaraj shown various emotions in his role. Nassar is excellent in his role as cunning father. The comedy touch to Subbaraju’s role did not work out.

Analysis:

Story telling by SS Rajamouli is top notch and he combined it with his extraordinary vision and made it a spellbinding saga. In this part he concentrates more on emotions rather than visual treat and etc. His directorial brilliance can be easily felt with the way he revealed the Kattappa Secret by taking it forward through an unexpected character. Rajamouli mark elevation scenes – Prabhas Introductio, Kuntala Kingdom fight in the first half, The Interval Block, The scene leading to Dandalayya song and the war episodes starting from the Pre-Climax worked big time.The Second half is filled with emotions and particularly towards the Climax is all about the war sequences. With high expectations, you would get a feel that the climax is a bit stretched.

Technical Values:

Expect VFX supervisor, same team of 'Baahubali- The Beginning' has worked for 'Baahubali- The Conclusion'. For this type of movies, technical team will plays major role. MM Keeravani’s background music enhanced the range of the film. First part songs expereience is better than this movie. Two songs are very well shot. Sound design is good. Senthil’s Camera work is too good. He got much command in handling this type of movies. Frankly it is very difficult to work on something which is a lot imaginary and involves VFX done later on. But he succedded in this with his camera work. Sabu Cyril’s art direction, Rama Rajamouli and Prashanti’s costumes are in sync with the film’s setting. Action sequences are of international standards. But climax action sequence is lenghty. Dialogues are good. The CG Work is good as expected but then it is not on par at some places like in the case of climax. Some parts of visual effects are good. Editing should be sharp. Editor Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao had a chance to trim few cuts especially romantic track between Prabhas and Anushka in the first half. The Production Values of Arka Media are the best in Indian Cinema.

Thumbs Up:

- Interval bang

- Emotional content

- Technical work

- Grandeur look

Thumbs Down:

- Comedy

- Lenghty climax

- Parts of scenes

Final Verdict:

First Part Baahubali -The Beginning is all about grandeur, Baahubali- The Conclusion is all about emotions and elevations. Baahubali-2 is visual extravaganza with more focus on emotions. 

SS Rajamouli gives you a feel that he is sitting along with you in the theater and is narrating a story and hold your attention for the next two and half hours

If you ignore some slow pace scenes and lengthy climax you can watch one time. 

Box-Office Prediction: With this huge expectations and wide release in india and USA, Baahubali-2 may cross 1000 crore gross. 

Review by Manikick

Rating: 3.25/5

Ghazi Review

Movie: Ghazi

Star Cast: Rana Daggubati, Taapsee Pannu, Nassar,  Kay Kay Menon, Late Om Puri, Rahul Singh,

Kunal Kaushik, Satyadev Kancharana,  Priya darshini and others

Director: Sankalp Reddy
 Written by Gangaraju Gunnam (Telugu dialogues), Azad Alam (Hindi dialogues),
Screenplay by Sankalp Reddy, Gangaraju Gunnam, Niranjan Reddy
 Music director: K
Cinematographer: Madhi
Editor: A. Sreekar Prasad

Producers: Prasad V Potluri, Anvesh Reddy, Venkatramana Reddy, NM Pasha, Jagan Mohan Vancha
 Production companies: PVP cinemas, Matinee Entertainment
Distributed by Dharma Productions,AA Films
Release date: 17th February, 2017

Certificate: U

Runtime: 124 minutes(2 hours 4 minutes)

Watched at Sangeetha theater, Patanchervu

Behind the screens: 

Rana Daggupati, Tapsee, Kay Kay Menon starrer Ghazi directed by Sankalp Reddy generated tremendous interest ever since its launch. The film is based on mysterious sinking of PNS Ghazi during Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. India’s first ever under water war film is slated for grand release on Feb 17th. Megastar Chiranjeevi garu lent his voice for the Telugu version of the film. Let us see what impact it made on audiences.

Story:

During 1971, Pakistan tries crushing the rebellion in east Pakistan. Unable to bear the torture many people try to come into India as refugees. Pakistan accuses India of supporting the rebellion and decides to attack India through water. It sends PNS Ghazi, its most powerful ship headed by Captain Razaq,towards India with the intention to target INS Vikrant stationed at Visakhapatnam.

Indian Navy headed by Admiral (Om Puri) and senior officer (Nassar) sends submarine S21 to closely monitor the situation. S21 is captained by Captain Ranvijay Singh (Kay Kay Menon) who is known for his aggressive ways and has Devraj(Atul Kulkarni) as Executive Officer who supports him to the core. Indian Navy in order to avoid first attack by its forces deputes Lt.Commander Arjun Varma (Rana Daggubati) along with Cap Ranvijay Singh for the Operation code named Operation Sea Side. What happens next should be enjoyed on silver screen.

Performances:

Rana Daggupati slipped into the role effortlessly. His screen presence made good impact. He should be complimented for taking the initiative to turn the short film into a feature film.He showed good emotions and expressions in right places. His dialogue delivery is good.  Rana daggupati, after playing second fiddle to Kay Kay Menon in the first half, he plays the lead in the second half. Kay Kay Menon steals the show with his powerful performance and he is calm  in most of the scenes but aggressive intent surprises with his expressions. Atul Kulkarni supported both of them as EO. 

Late Om Puri got good screen presence at the start. Tapsee didn't get much scope to perform as Bangladesh refugee Ananya. Chiranjeevi’s voice over added new dimension to the film. Others  gave support to the lead cast perfectly.

Analysis:

Debutant director Sankalp Reddy came with a story inspired by the mysterious sinking of PNS Ghazi off the coast of Visakhapatnam in 1971 and about S21 of INS Rajput whose team along with executive naval officer remained underwater for 18 days. He made this film with lot of passion and this is seen in every scene and every frame. He attracted with his story, screenplay and direction. Right from the start till the finish he kept viewers glued to the screen. Story progress at quick pace with good twists. He showed the conflict between two senior officers in S21 and also how they unite to fight the enemy. He also showed the war games played by captains of both submarines. He highlighted the emotions and expressions of all those involved in the operations in a perfect manner. Those who bend this movie deserve all the accolades for coming with such inspiring film.

Technical Values:

K’s background score created terrific impact on the film and It elevated the film to another level. There are no songs in the film. Madhie had tough time to work for this type of movies but his cinematography is beautiful. He captured the undersea environment in great manner. All the scenes are well shot and gave new experience. Except for few drags, Sreekar Prasad's editing is top notch.

Art direction is amazing and submarine set is too good. Custumes by Ashwanth Byri reflects 1970's wartime. Dubbing for some actors are not good and their lip sync could have been better. Dialogues are good in parts and made powerful impact. VFX work is outstanding. Production values PVP cinemas and Matinee Entertainment are grand.

Thumbs Up: 
- Crisp Story
- BGM
- Submarine Set
- Few Terrific scenes in preclimax

Thumbs Down:
- Few drags

Final Verdict:
Ghazi movie is an inspiring submarine war based film which having story inspired by the mysterious sinking of PNS Ghazi off the coast of Visakhapatnam in 1971.
First half ends with good interval bang. Second half action intensifies with Pakistan launching frontal attack. Pre-climax war episode is interesting.

 Film makes Tollywood proud and inspire others to come with more such films. I strongly recommend you to watch this movie as we get this type of movies rarely in Tollywood.

Review By Manikick
Rating: 3.25/5