Anukokunda Oka Roju Review

We break the suspense right at the start. Well, Jagapathi Babu has been the best kept secret in the film. The makers just pulled a surprise on us by spring him on us in the film. His role has been a closely-guarded concealment in the run up to the release.

And now to the film. Many openly speculated about whether Chandrasekhar Yeleti, who surprised us with his stunning Aithey, will fall to the second film syndrome.

After watching Anukokunda Oka Roju, you can safely say that he was no flash in the pan or a one-film wonder.

To be sure, Anukokunda Oka Roju is not the most perfect of films. But it offers plenty of things that will keep up you engrossed right through. Though the momentum sags a bit towards the end, the director has by and large manages to keep the interest alive.

It is not the done thing to talk about the story in a suspense film. Suffice to say, it revolves around Sahasra (Charmi) who wants to make it big as a singer. She is taken to a party and what happens to her there and after that forms the story.

Unbeknownst to her, she is sucked into the vortex of a macabre mystery. She is trailed by a taxi driver (Shashank), and it takes all the cunning stratagems of the police inspector Suresh (Jagapathi) to extricate her from the web of intrigue spun around.

The film straightaway belongs to Charmi, who has got the role of her life-time. With pared-down looks, she put in a spirited performance. Her facial expressions rightly mirror the fear and anxiety that a film of such genre needs.

Jagapathi Babu turns in a cool show as the suave cop. He is far better in such dignified roles than mindlessly cavorting around tress. Shashank, who was introduced in Aithey, shows again that he is a talent to watch.

So is Hamsa Varadhan in a comical role. Pawan Malhotra, despite going over the top on occasions, is spirited and spunky.

The film's technical side is even and is of high quality. The lighting and camerawork of debutant Sarvesh is certainly commendable.

MM Keervani's songs are brilliant and the score is absolutely original. The songs have a beautiful lilt surrounding them.

Of course, Chandrasekhara Yeleti binds everything together with a plausible story and an agreeable script. He has the nerve and nous to make technical innovations and go for experimentation. He also knows how to tell a tale.

And that will make Anukokunda Oka Roju work.