Joru Review

There comes a point while watching 'Joru' where you will have to close your eyes and cogitate over the question of whether so many people actually need to fool one or more players.  Persisting with this question is difficult as Brahmanandam proves a good escapist fare for us.  He sometimes speaks for us by helplessly expressing our confusion over the proceedings.  At some point, the comedy of confusing schemes gets on our nerves; at others, we are relieved that there is Brahmi tending to our frustration.

Sandeep (Sundeep Kishan) and his sidekick, played by Sapthagiri, during their road journey bump into Anu (Rashi Khanna), an NRI, who has come to Hyderabad to see her father after 18 years.  The father is Sadashivam, an MLA, played by Sayaji Shinde and it turns out that Bhavani (Ajay) has a vested interest in getting Anu eliminated even before she can meet her father.  Brahmanandam, Sadashivam's aide, is Pelli Koduku, calling himself PK for short.  It turns out that Sadashivam is not really what the world believes to be.  Sandeep, now in love with Anu, wants to save her from the imminent threat to her life.

The first half is packed with force-fitted comedy scenes that see Sapthagiri share a horrible screen time with bears.  Sapthagiri is over-indulged to a point where one almost forgets Sundeep's presence in the male lead's role.  Peppered with a romantic duet or two, it keeps us guessing but when Brahmi spills the beans, the curtain is raised for a seemingly time-worn comedy-revenge drama.

The drama, however, comes with its share of too many characters.  Rashi Khanna, Priya Banarjee and Sushma apart, there are two sets of parents, a flashback and two old characters who have a stake in knowing the truth.  On paper, this one looks good enough; the execution scales up in the second half but the screenplay is too complicated.

The climax is a comedy of darkness, unfounded fears and confusion, and in which all the characters are there to try hard to raise the roof.  On the brighter side, 'Joru' refuses to be anything but a jovial entertainer; even the ending is non-serious.  On the flip side, there is a brutally boring effort to gloss over an otherwise routine stuff with elements that are too excessive.

Should all films have parodies that remind us of Mahesh Babu and Pawan Kalyan?  And that trendsetter of a film - Prema Katha Chitram, with Sapthagiri in tandem.  The brief fighting scenes come with the stench of a septic tank comedy.

Rashi Khanna looks less than glamorous compared to her previous outing, 'Oohalu Gusa Gusalade'.  She looks fine in the glam role, but it is Sushma Raj who shows promise.  Priya Banerjee looked stunning in KISS; here she is wasted in a lame role.

Sundeep Kishan turns out to be over-rated.  He makes the same semi-frustrated expression, yet again.  His screen time with Brahmi passes muster.  As for the romantic chemistry, he is equally at home with all the three.

Sayaji Shinde gets to play a full-fledged role.  Sathyam Rajesh entertains briefly, whereas Prithvi Raj is wasted.  Kashi Vishwanath and others are routine.

The technical aspects are just about OK.  The songs fall flat whereas the cinematography and editing are apt.

Verdict: A screenplay that demands greater attention than it deserves.  Brahmi is the saving grace.  Kumar Nagendra pens good enough lines in the second half.

Rating: 2.5/5

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