On the cusp of Venkatesh completing a glorious 30 years, comes 'Babu Bangaram'. It's instructive that a new-age director like Maruthi, someone who has set a trend of his own through 'Ee Rojullo', 'Bus Stop' and 'Prema Katha Chitram' (written and produced by him), chose to work with a 55-year-old actor. Just goes to show Venky's enduring standing in the industry.

Before you venture into the theatres tomorrow (Aug 12), IndiaGlitz tells you the reasons why you ought to know about 'Babu Bangaram'.

Vintage Venky plus more:

Venky is one of the few actors in TFI to have held his ground for three decades. A self-confessed "natural", he is an admirer of the likes of Relangi, Padmanabham, Raja Babu, and Allu Ramalingaiah, all of whose acting he loved even as a child.

In a long time, Venkatesh hasn't acted in a heroism-significant, mainstream story with the exception of 'Shadow'. As 'Drushyam' and 'Gopala Gopala' showed, the actor is evergreen. 'Babu Bangaram' is unlike all of these three. The trailer hints at something formulaic yet charming. Venky's last two films, on the other hand, were not only remakes, but also were either not entirely rom-comish-action flicks or exclusively Venky-driven.

In every sense, the Maruthi film comes as an answer. The actor has already said this much that, after watching the trailer, he feels like acting for several more years. That's the power of glamorous presentation. The audience are expecting Venky to look handsomer, do more comedy than he has done in the last ten years, and deliver half (if not full) punch lines in this flick.

If he is getting to romance Nayanatara ('age ki age', notwithstanding), the beloved actor is also doing comedy with the likes of Prudhvi and Vennela Kishore. As for Sampath Raj, he is ready to get beaten up badly.

Maruthi:

The success rate that Maruthi has is splendid. What is stupendous about his track record is that, of the less than ten films he has directed/written, at least two of them are declared trend-setters: 'Ee Rojullo' (and 'Bus Stop') have been a good source of character sketches, whereas 'Prema Katha Chitram' has inspired many a horror-comedy.

On the other hand, 'Bhale Bhale Mogadivoy', though a big hit, is a one-of-its-kind flick, which can't be replicated easily.

What is in store as far as 'Babu Bangaram' is concerned? We suppose this film will resuscitate Venky's stamina and inspire other filmmakers to glam him up.

Maruthi has a cool and calm-going style of his own. As Ghibran told IndiaGlitz in an interview, he is the sweetest person he has ever met.

Fun factor:

On the face of it, and as per the makers, 'Babu Bangaram' is a fun film to watch. Everything from the characterization of Venky's cop role to Batthayi Babji (Prudhviraj) to Venky's another sidekick (Vennela Kishore), there is much in store.

Above all, Venky tickling the funny bone is another crown in the jewel as far as this one is concerned. The throwback to 'Bobbili Raja' (read 'Ayyo.. ayyo.. ayyayyo..) is already there. Watch this space!