Kerintha Review

Sai Kiran Adivi of 'Vinayakudu' and 'Villagelo Vinayakudu' fame is back with a breezy bang.  'Kerintha', from the stable of the redoubtable Dil Raju, comes with as innocent charming as did the Vinayakudu films.  There is no heavy-duty drama, not even light-veined melodrama.  All that you get to watch is a mixture of friendship, young-age deviations/exemplary follow-your-heart types, love, break-up and patch-up.

The story revolves around the characters of Jai (Sumanth Ashwin), Manaswi (Sri Divya), Bhavana (Sukirti), Sid (Vishwanath), Priya (Tejasvi), and Nookaraju (Parvatheesham).  The many characters give the film a sense of deja vu, what with you being reminded of the flavour of 'Happy Day's (owing in no small measure to Mickey J Meyer's presence through music), and characters inspired from, say, '3 Idiots'.  If it was father in some film who came in the way of the hero's dreams, in here, it is the mother, played by Pragathi.

Even as we become complacent that the story will veer towards a particular track, some surprise comes in the form of a character or two.  Shalini, a senior at the college, and Tanisha (Nithya Naresh) are there to give the film the much needed layered feel.

If the characters are many, their backgrounds are treated in a cliched way.  One from rural background, two from urban background, yet another from the NRI world - all make us wonder if it could not have been otherwise?

Cinematic liberties notwithstanding, the film sustains our interest for most part.  There is nothing preachy about it and that is not the only good thing.  The performances are indeed a reason for 'kerintha'.  The actors show a sense of purpose with ease.  Sumanth Ashwin, who has always looked not so subtle, comes here with memorable output.  Sri Diya, the ever so calm and composed, is confident here.  Tejasvi, who can be the girl-next-door bubbly one, delivers a dekko.

It's unfathomable how the character of a wannabe musician didn't entail a particular type of track.  It is just not enough for the character to be seen with a guitar in tandem, around.  Some cliches are best avoided, others not.

Sumanth as someone following his passion, is a natural.  It is metaphorical that he looks youngish just as the film's overall feel.  Others complement him, complete with their innocuous expressions here and there.

Speaking of deja vu, it is very clear that Sai Kiran Adivi was very much inspired by this or that film.  Shekar Kammula showed a way as to how to come up with characters who differ only outwardly and are all same inwardly.

Banking on non-mainstream dialects has been a feature and this trend has only picked up of late.  In Kerintha, we find a dose of it, too.

With the backing of a producer with a putative taste for high production values, this one comes with excellent RR work and cinematography.  Mickey's tunes are enjoyable, for most part.

At 145 minutes, the film has the apt run-time.

Verdict: The film tells three stories whose undercurrents are relatable.  Technically, this one occupies the high ground.

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