After a super dud like ''Kick-2'', one expected to see Ravi Teja in a ''Balupu''-filled ''Mirapakai''-like ''Power''-packed role. Having disappointed his fans for long, the star with a remarkable on-screen attitude returns like a ''Bengal Tiger''. Not far behind is Sampath Nandi, who after Racha proves that he has it in him to deliver an entertainer for the mass audience.
Aakash Narayan (Ravi Teja) is a youngster with a non-serious attitude toward life. When some day it happens that a bridegroom declines to marry him for being a celebrity, he decides to get the world''s attention by rubbing the visiting Minister to his village, played by Sayaji Shinde, with a stone. This makes him a notorious youngster overnight. Nagappa, the Home Minister, is played by Rao Ramesh, who recruits Aakash to work under him when the he saves the Minister and his daughter (Raashi Khanna) from his rivals.
Shraddha, played by Raashi Khanna, falls in love with Aakash when he saves her for a second time from goondas. One fine day, as it happens only in the unreal world of cinema, Nagappa decides to make an incredible announcement to the world. This is when Aakash chooses to disclose his true interests with respect to the Chief Minister, Ashok Gajapathi, played by Boman Irani.
For all the cinematic portrayal of a youngster''s roller-coaster ride and his tryst with political bigwigs, there is an element of fun that keeps the proceedings in the first half quite a treat to watch. Ravi Teja is in his elements as he breezes his way through a role that demands of him to give electrifying dialogue delivery and more. In a long time, Ravi Teja hasn''t been that impressive, although he has always been at his energetic self. For a star like him to reveal more in a film, what is needed is a conducive script that is tailor made for him, not just a generic script. And Sampath Nandi, who has written the dialogue as well, provides what is needed for Ravi Teja to show that he is the Ravi Teja.
If Raashi Khanna plays a sizzling role, complete with a bikini act, Tamannah is there without much of a meaty role. The two actresses lend the film the needed glamour quotient in good proportion.
Ravi Teja''s tryst with Boman Irani presents a welcome change in an industry always jaded with the usual suspects playing the villains. It is refreshing to see this seasoned actor in a mass masala entertainer. As the anti-hero no. 1, Boman is a treat to watch.
As comedy tracks go, ''Bengal Tiger'' surely has one of the funniest in recent times. The usual suspects like Brahmi are there. However, more than Brahmanandam''s been-there-done-that kinda comedy, it is Prithvi Raj''s Future Star Siddappa''s role that is more refreshing. Prithvi Raj has been getting good roles of late and this one is the latest addition. His comic timing with Posani Krishna Murali and Ravi Teja is impressive. As for Posani, he plays a role that is constantly mocked at by the collective. In a scene, Rao Ramesh delivers a treat to Pawan Kalyan''s fans while explaining his love for Telugu cinema.
Chinna''s BGM is nimble and the last fight stands out for the same. Ram-Lakshman''s action choreography is yet another highlight, cozily there in the overall ecosystem of ''electrification''. Bheems Ceciroleo gives good enough music.
The second half takes a bit of a beating in terms of the pace, but overall, the entertainment quotient keeps making a comeback. There are a good number of lines that are meant for the Mega Family fans, especially of Pawan Kalyan. Real life references are meant for the front benchers as well.
Gautham Raju''s editing and Soundar Rajan''s cinematography are among the best aspects.
Verdict: It is a Ravi Teja-style power-packed performance, complete with comedy doses from Prithvi Raj and Posani, not to speak of punch lines of a different shade.
Comments