Remakes are a tight-rope walk. The original would have been made keeping in my strengths of an actor in that language. So it is imperative on those handling the remake to come up with improvisations to suit the new language and actor.
The makers of Political Rowdy had slipped precisely on this front. They have failed to tap the strengths of Mohan Babu. His forte is heavy dialogues, but both Parchuri Brothers (handling the dialogues) and Adi, the director, seem to have let him down badly.
That is really a pity as the film has the potential for gritty and enjoyable entertainment. It is also a story that will suit the age of the hero. Alas, the chance has gone a begging.
The film is all about the mad capers of an ageing don. Pandu Ranga Vittal (Mohan Babu) is the one whom the entire city dreads and looks up to for settling matters. This bachelor don (he has a thing against marriage), as it happens, falls in love with the cute young thing Kaveri (Charmi).
The man, who split with his brother (Prakash Raj) just because the latter had fallen in love and married, is himself now struck by the arrows of cupid. Pandu brings back his brother and tries too woo and win over Kaveri. The impish girl, however, is already in love (Abbas).
But the little lovable rascal that the don is, he goes head on and tries to get the hand of Kaveri. He makes a compelling case for himself. The climax is about who gets Kaveri.
The story has inherent comedy situations, but the director has failed to tap it fully. The spoof on politics and others are half-hearted and feeble. But there is nothing feeble in the acting of Mohan Babu. He gives a command performance, extracting the best out of the role that suits him to at.
Charmi, the heroine, looks cute in typical dresses. She has given a good account of herself. Prakash Raj is as usual efficient.Brahmanandam and his comedy team sure do bring guffaws on our face.
Sandeep Chowtha's music (the songs) belongs to the top drawer. But somehow on screen, the effect is lost due to poor picturization. For which, one has to blame both the cameraman and the director.
Adi should cop a lot of flak for the inconsistencies. He has let slip a good opportunity.
All in all, what could have been fun all through happens only in fits and starts.
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