Jai Bolo Telangana Review

Agitation for seperate Telangana state dates back to several decades. In the recent past the demand for Telangana resurfaced with the birth of TRS. The agitation reached its peaks after KCR took up fast unto death in November 2009. Director N Shankar made this film to capture the tempo of the agitation and suicides that followed, in 'Jai Bolo Telangana'.

Story

Jayamma(Smriti Irani) is the widow of Gopanna(Jagapathi Babu) who led movement for seperate Telangana. She stays in Hyderabad with her son Varshit(Sandeep) who detests any form of political agitation. He feels that he lost his dad due to agitation and hence wants to stay away from them and lead a peaceful life.He falls in love with Sahaja(Meera Nandan) studying in Osmania University but is originally from Vijayawada.

Sahaja travels with Varshit and Jayamma to their village in Telangana and likes the people, culture and understands the sentiment of seperate statehood in the interiors. However, Sahaja's brother Sunil is a friend of Chanti youth leader in Vijayawada. Chanti also happens to be the son of Garapati Venugopal(Nagineedu) who is Vijayawada MP who comes to an understanding with Bokare(AVS) an investor in Hyderabad. Interestingly, KCR starts his fast unto death and unable his arrest, Varshit's friend commits suicide.

The rest of the story is on how Varshit changes his aversion to politics and involves himself in Telangana agitation and what impact it will have on his relationship with Sahaja.

Performances

Jagapathibabu as Telangana agitator delivers iconic performance. Despite few glitches in his Telangana accent, he manages to pull it off with his intense action.Smriti Irani as a mother is convincing. Debutant Sandeep could have done better. His mannerisms at times is over the top and out of place. Heroine Meera Nandan with her girl next door looks is impressive. With large eyes and apt expressions, Meera as an innocent girl in love caught in the midst of conflict of regions, was tailor made for the role. Politicians and journalists like Allam Narayana, Mallepalli Laxmaiah and Vidyasagar who acted as friends of Jagapathibabu despite no prior acting experience were far better than seasoned artistes. Nagineedu was not adequately used in the film while AVS as prospective investor in Hyderabad was in his usual best.

Remarks

The content of this movie is certain to put off people from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. Though the story is interesting and the screenplay is praise worthy, a few dialogues and reference to Andhra leaders as plunderers of Telangana's wealth is certainly done in a bitter taste and will easily disappoint people from other regions. The music of the movie is in tandem with the socio-political flavour of the script.Gaddhar's 'Podusthunna Poddhumeedha Poru Telangaanama' and Vimalakka's revolutionary songs make many hardcore Telangana supporters go bersek and break into a jig in theatres. Chakri's romantic song 'Okapuvvu' is earsoothing. Jhansi's voice very well suited Smriti Irani in the dubbing.

TRS Chief KCR's song 'Garadi Chesthundru' evoked huge response from the audience.

The screenplay is near perfect and one never feels bored watching the movie. Cinematography could have been better and the locations look intentionally depressing. Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao needs a special mention for his splendid work as editor.

KCR, Professors Kodandaram and Jayashankar are also seen in the film multiple times which draws whistles from T-agitators. Director Shankar is applause worthy for not making the movie too preachy as he neatly clubbed comic scenes between serious dramatic episodes all through the film. Bathukamma festival, plight of weavers, troubles faced by Gulf bound Telanganites find a mention in the movie within the framework of the script.

Shivareddy's imitation of Chiranjeevi and Junior NTR tickle the funny bones of audience.

Verdict

The story of Jai Bolo Telangana is absolutely one-sided and intended to highlight the exploitation of Telanganaites by people from other regions. If you can overlook a few anti Seemandhra dialogues, then surely watch it for its technical brilliance in handling sensitive script.

Released on: 4th Feb, 2011