'F3' hit the screens today. In this section, we are going to review the latest box-office release.

Story:

Venky (Venkatesh) and Varun Yadav (Varun Tej) are in dire trouble after they lose lakhs and lakhs of rupees due to conspiracies hatched by Harika (Tamannaah Bhatia) and Honey (Mehreen Pirzada). Pushed to a wall, Venky and Varun try to cheat a rich man (played by Murali Sharma) without each other's knowledge. Least do they know that the cunning sisters Harika and Honey, too, are in action.

When the four characters end up under the same roof, it is time for more fun and frustration!

Analysis:

'F3' is no sequel to 'F2'. Venky and Varun Yadav are no co-brothers. Both are unmarried. Venky, whose biological mother is no more, has to bear the brunt of a demanding, selfish family comprising of his stepmother, father and sisters.

On the other hand, Harika and Honey continue to be sisters. They have settled for a small-time canteen that gobbles up investment but never gives returns. They want to get rich by hook or crook.

Director Anil Ravipudi spends the first 30-40 minutes setting up the story. He makes sure that we soak into the thinking of his protagonists. The comedy doesn't get onto your nerves despite the sense of deja vu (some beats of 'F2' are there, although the story is entirely different). The comedy track between the Varun Tej-Sunil duo and Mehreen may not be an original idea but some of the lines are hilarious.

Venkatesh and Raghu Babu continue to share an 'F2'-level chemistry. Their scenes work really well. We enjoy Venaktesh's performance more in Raghu Babu's presence than in the presence of other major characters (with the exception of Varun).

The second half proceeds at a relatively slower pace despite the plot turns. Murali Sharma's character gets to essay a meaningful role. His character may not be novel, but his presence makes a difference in the plot events. It would have greatly helped had Vennela Kishore, Ali, Sunil and Srinivas Reddy got to play two-dimensional characters. Ali is elbowed out after a point, while Sunil is reduced to caricaturish expressions. Srinivas Reddy plays a second fiddle, while Kishore's potential (he plays a consummate junior artist) is not explored at all.

Rajendra Prasad plays a sincere cop, while Sampath Raj is his unscrupulous boss. Sonal Chauhan doesn't get to add much.

Devi Sri Prasad's music clicks. 'Life Ante Itla Undala', powered by the lead men and Pooja Hegde, is the best in terms of choreography. The other two major songs feel more like the climax segment where some elements are forcibly written to lighten the nature of the film.

'F3' is less star-centric than 'F2'. Anil Ravipudis's conviction needs to be appreciated to that extent. He doesn't rely much on cinematography and other crutches. He introduces multiple characters to do the talking, running, screaming, and shouting.

The performances are a highlight, especially with Venkatesh back to his forte of comedy. Varun Tej and Mehreen's space seems to be eaten into by the very many characters. Tamannaah's character shows a new shade in the second half.

Verdict:

'F3' is a watchable comedy that indulges in its eccentric elements with abandon. The pre-climax portions turn serious for a while. Able performances and funny situations do the talking.