Okka Ammayi Thappa Review

Our filmmakers' obsession with so-called commercial ingredients (in every interview, they say, "Our movie has romance, comedy, action, family sentiment and commercial elements", making us wonder if the first four are not commercial elements) is legendary (actually, notorious).  Look at this film.  Ravi Kishan's character is that of a desperado.  And even he is dragged into the humour zone.  For God's sake, why don't our filmmakers leave such stuff to less important characters?  That's what one should learn from writers like Kona Venkat and directors like Sreenu Vaitla and Puri Jagannadh; they dish out comedy without weakening the gravitas at any cost.

It's not to say that 'Okka Ammayi Thappa' is all about getting things wrong.  In fact, debutante director Rajasimha Tadinada does pens a decent enough script.  The aforementioned complaint is not because the film is bad; the complaint is because this element sticks out as a sore thumb in an otherwise good script with its share of highs.

Krishna Vachan (Sundeep Kishan) and Sathyabhama (Nithya Menen) are childhood friends.  Krishna confessed his love to her even as a child.  Separated then, they cross each other's paths on the Hi-Tec City flyover many, many years later.  On a day when they fall in love all over again on this flyover, they face an earth-shattering test that Krishna Vachan should navigate for the sake of his beloved country.

Besides rebooting the formula, Rajasimha puts on display his comedic sense here.  The talented script-writer peppers the screenplay with quirky characters.  As the film progresses, the narration tells three parallel stories: the story on the flyover which has a stuck hero wooing his childhood sweetheart, the story of a terrorist who is conspiring to hold the government to ransom, and the story of Ali (in a long time, the comedian is not boring) who is frustrated that Sathyabhama hasn't turned up for 'pelli choopulu'.

After establishing the love track (watch out for the episode where unexpected things that validate Krishna Vachan's love happen), the director goes the whole hog with the main plot: Ravi Kishan emotionally blackmails the hero to do his bidding, the hero is left with no option and while he follows the terrorist's instructions, he doesn't know that he is preparing the ground of a biggest ever bomb blast.

The tragedy of a patriotic person ending up being a pawn in a terrorist's hands is effectively portrayed.  The way Sundeep Kishan's character outwits the antagonist is another high point.  At a time when the film threatens to turn dry, the script has two good elements revving it up: the revelation with respect to Ravi Kishan's second avatar, and the element of a brainwashed terrorist giving up his misguided cause upon witnessing the way Muslims and Hindus live together.  Tanikella Bharani as a mullah does a fine job, leaving a strong impact.  Ajay as a cop does a good job.

The scenes involving the lead pair pass muster.  Sundeep and Nithya make a good pair, but don't expect much.  For all the pitfalls at places, the conversations between the hero and the villain are good.  Sundeep acts with all seriousness.  However, the writer should have avoided some doses of humour involving the hero with others like Prudhviraj.  Comedy can be had without having your hero and/or the villain shedding their earnestness.

Nithya looks somewhat dull, but acting-wise, she is at her usual best (to the extent she has space).  Ravi Kishan is getting substantial roles, of late.  After 'Supreme', he is very impressive in this film.  Sapthagiri as a sensationalist, frivolous TV journo is hilarious.  Prudhviraj as a veterinary doc is good.  Tagubothu Ramesh, Nalla Venu, Jeeva and Fish Venkat elicit some laughs.

Mickey J Meyer's music and BGM are an asset for sure.  'Sarihaddu Lopala' is the best, both musically and lyrically.

Chota K Naidu's cinematography is another asset.  He captures the proceedings with aplomb.

Verdict: On balance, the script has highs and lows, while the premise may not excite many.  The execution should have fared better. Rajasimha's scripting may work well with sections of the audience.  The jury is still out.

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