Mama Manchu Alludu Kanchu Review

The coming together of Mohan Babu and Allari Naresh could have been a ''kanchu'' moment had the story line not been a throwback to the 1990s fashion of story-telling.  Sridhar Sipana (co-incidentally, he has another release this Friday, namely, ''Soukhyam'') pens the dialogue with certain kind of imagination for rhyming words whether this is enough to capture the audience''s attention is anybody''s guess.  .

The ''Allari Mogudu'' combination of Mohan Babu, Meena and Ramya Krishna is back.  Whatever may have been the hype around them, the title roles involving Mohan Babu and Allari Naresh was expected to garner more number of audience.

Bhaktavatsala Naidu (Mohan Babu) juggles two families.  In a quirky turn of events, Shruti (played by Poorna of ''Avunu'' fame), the daughter born of Meena and Gautham, the son born of Ramyakrishna threaten to end up loving each other.  Naidu''s mission now is to keep them from meeting. If they did, it would result in his wives confronting each other.  He drafts Balaraju (Allari Naresh) to replace Gautham.  Shruti, believing that Balaraju is the millionaire Gautham, falls in love with him.  Meanwhile, Naidu''s project is to make his daughter fall out of Balaraju.  But the catch is that if he exposes Balaraju, the latter will reveal the truth about Naidu''s bigamous identity.

From word go, the film reminds one of comedies of confusion like these, some of which were more accomplished in their wit and screenplay detailing.  The two elements that invite us to forgive the film''s ennui are: Mohan Babu and certain lines.

Mohan Babu is in his elements.  He acts with energy and passion, although in many places, unnecessary pseudo-philosophic lines find their way into the narration, ending up making it look all the more pompous.

Allari Naresh is a mere footnote despite all the full-fledged presence and the scenes with Mohan Babu.  He somehow doesn''t seem to match up to veteran actor''s domineering presence.  Ramya Krishna''s glamorous presence is at the same level as Meena''s.  Poorna and Varun Sandesh get sketchy roles, while Ali as Ismail and his sidekick, meant to evoke oomph, play to the gallery.

Writing-wise, the film could have involved a solo song featuring Mohan Babu.

Where the film falls short of being updated is the screenplay.  The climax is just a sample of that.  MMAK is full of those cliched and stereotyped scenes that come and go as a matter of a series of gags.  For example, the track involving Allari Naresh, Ali and the item girl.

Where music could have made the film updated, Koti''s background score is prohibitively and exaggeratedly sentimental.  The songs are, again, old win in old bottle.

Mohan Babu is the soul of this soulless film.  His fans may want to get a dose of his style of dialogue delivery.  He doesn''t look a bit dull, surely a special trait.  Meena and Ramya Krishna should have got at least a score of hilarious lines between them to make the characters worthy of being talked about.  Allari Naresh gets a brief moment of senti talk in the climax.  Otherwise, he is ok and does his part well.

The cinematography makes the film look even more old wine.

Verdict: Although nothing much can be expected from story, Mohan Babu is the star to watch out for.