Dongodi Pelli Review

It is time for the senior directors to give way to the young directors and take retirement. The latest flick directed by Kodi Ramakrishna indirectly hinted at this idea. The Telugu audience can't just watch the age-old direction, slow pace of narration, commercial formula scenes any more. Rajendrababu, who had earlier played hero in 'Ramana', made his appearance as hero again as an action hero, with a comedy touch. Lakme model and former Miss Gujarat Ratna Bhattal, Jhalak Nandini played the female leads opposite him.

Raju (Rajendrababu) is a petty thief. Hundreds of cases are pending against him but the police could not arrest him as he leaves no evidence while committing the crime. Though robbery is his profession, he is good at heart.

One Mandela Seshu kills a realtor in a party and Ratna Prabha (Ratna Bhattal) takes charge as special officer from CBI. Seshu's mobile SIM cards contain the numbers with whom he had regular contacts. Before he gets caught in an accidental blast, he conceals them in a talisman (Taayettu) tied around his neck. If the police were able to get those SIM cards, it will give them a big breakthrough.

Masaraiah (Kota Srinivasa Rao) is a politician, who had several links with underworld mafia and also the land-grabbing mafia. In fact it is Masaraiah who hatches the plan to kill that realtor by Seshu. Fearing threat from Prabha, Masaraiah decides to get her married to his son (Prithvi) and convinces her.

Meanwhile, Abu (Nischal) chalks out a plan to grab the SIM cards from Seshu with the help of Raju, and uses Rekha (Jhalak Nandini) to lure him. His plan works out and Raju brings those SIM cards. While escaping from police, he enters the wedding of Prabha and under strange circumstances ties the knot to Prabha and escapes from the scene. When Raju wants to meet Rekha to reveal the truth, he comes to know that he was cheated.

Now he wants to save his 'wife' from embarrassment, he decides to kidnap Seshu, whose evidence could bail her out. But he gets killed in the hands of Masaraih's men. Before his death, Raju videographs his death statement. In the course of time, he also catches Rekha and secures the SIM cards as well. The film ends on a happy note with the killing of Masaraiah and his men by Raju, who manages that it is an accident.

Rajendrababu once again failed in his attempt to get a break. He still needs to improve a lot in showing histrionics and body language. Ratna Bhattal is fair enough as a tough CBI officer and Jhalak Nandini filled the glamour slot. Kota Srinivasa Rao is in his usual best as villain and Prithvi played a comedy villain in the film. Comedy track between Satyam Rajesh, Kondavalasa Lakshmana Rao and LB Sriram is just okay. A couple of tunes by Rajkiran are good to listen and the beach song between Rajendrababu and Jhalak Nandini was choreographed well. Cinematography by Kodi Laxman is average. With the old type of narration the film looked like a routine commercial formula film. Had the film released in 80s, it would have been a hit. But the present generation of audiences may not accept it.

Cast: Rajendrababu, Ratna Bhattal, Jhalak Nandini, Prithvi, Kota Srinivasa Rao, LB Sriram, Kondavalasa Lakshmana Rao, Satyam Rajesh, Ashokkumar, Nischal, Ramaprabha and others

Credits: Dialogues - Sai Sriharsha, Editing - Ramesh, Camera - Kodi Lakshman, Music - Rajkiran, Presents - Nagam Tirupati Reddy, Producer - Pratap Singh, Screenplay and Direction - Kodi Ramakrishna

Banner: Aditya Enterprises