Gunde Jhallumandi Review

Love is the base for all creation. Based on this love as the crux, an array of movies have been made successfully. This subject has been the core ingredient of success for many films, because Love is an ever-green subject that seldom loses its charm to woo the audience. United Movies with this sure to strike theme has made 'Gunde Jhallumandi' in the direction of Madan. Paruchuri Sivaram Prasad has produced this film casting Uday Kiran and Adithi Sharma in the lead.

Madan who was obtained fame for his work as a writer in the film 'Aa Naluguru', debuted as a director with 'Pellaina Kottalo' successfully. The second venture of Madan, 'Gunde Jhallumandi' has been released today on 12th September.

Story

BalaRaju (Uday Kiran) is a simple middle-class youngster who hails from Allagadda of the region of Rayalaseema. He aspires to become the president of the village for which the criterion is a Bachelor of Arts degree. To realize this dream, he joins a college in Hyderabad. Neelima (Adithi Sharma) is a student of the same college. Because of her sister Bhramaramba, Neelima decides not to be bitten by the love bug under any circumstance, hence she falsely propagates that a guy named Rajesh is in love with her. In this movie, the students of the college behave natural sans artificiality and resembles any other real life college student. BalaRaju and Neelima gets under close proximity during this merry making and not so surprisingly falls in love with each other. However, precisely at this moment the imaginary character Rajesh created by Neelima spurs the plot with his foray. What happened next? How Bala Raju and Neelima get together?  forms the crux of the story.

Performance of Artists

Uday Kiran exhibits a creditable performance in his role of the village youngster BalaRaju. He has matured considerably in emoting compared to his earlier flicks. He also made a passable performance in the fight sequences.

Adithi Sharma is making her maiden venture as a heroine with this film. The audience should be nudged that she is a debutant unless otherwise she would be considered as a regular artiste. She portrayed the role Neelima with a fluid style and was at ease in acting out. We can say with closed eyes that she stands as an asset to the film.

Speaking on the supporting cast, Ajay as villain, Dance master Vidya & Ajith Mohan has done a good job as expected from them. Similarly, 'Ahuthi' Prasad & Jaiprakash Reddy did justice to their roles.

Finally Venu Madhav as Rajesh entertained the audience with his individual style of comedy. Master Ritham did the maverick character of Dindu in his efficient self, casting satires at the Hero Uday Kiran.

Technical Values

The Music re-recording composed by MM Keeravani is the main highlight for the film.KV Krishna Reddy's editing, stunts by Ganesh, Lyrics penned by K Sivasekthi Datta & Chaithanya Prasad are adept.

Photography by J.Prabhakar Reddy and his lighting work makes an impact and are passable.

Director's Touch

Madan who has already proved his talent as a writer in 'Aa Naluguru', has narrated the story captivatingly on screen. Just with two flicks done, the director has assimilated the core of different divisions of movie making. When we see the movie the director's meticulous work and allegiance in creating 'Gunde Jhallumandi' can be easily understood. It is opaque that he has invested a lot of effort in envisaging the screenplay and dialogues.

Criticism

Although the story restated from yesteryear, the new narrative style for the screenplay makes the movie enchanting. It resembles the metaphor 'old wine in a new bottle.' The director is successful in emoting sensitive emotions on screen. Keeping aside the expectations of director on the success of 'Gunde Jhallumandi'; It is more important for hero Uday Kiran to reap success out of this venture, and has been desperately expecting that to happen in this film. The good news is 'Gunde Jhallumandi' has paved the way to success for Uday Kiran.

Cons

The pace of the story seemed to lag at places just before the interval break for the first half. The climax is completely shadowed by the character Rajesh which evokes a discontent among the audience. The movie would have acquired even more sheen if the  director had worked on the script to make it taut.

Cast: Uday Kiran, Aditi Sharma (debut), Srinivasa Reddy, Venumadhav, AhutiPrasad,Surekha Vani, Master Ritham, Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam, Ajay, Jayaprakash Reddy, Surya, Rangadham, Vidya, Ajith Mohan and others.

CREDITS: Dialogues: Madan, Camera: J. Prabhakar Reddy, Art: T. Nagendra Prasad, Choreography: Swarna Babu, Vidya, Music: M.M. Keeravani, Lyrics: Chaitanya Prasad, K. Sivashakti Datta, Editing: K.V. Krishna Reddy, Producers: Paruchuri Sivaram Prasad,  Story, Screenplay, Direction: Madan

Released on: September 12, 2008