Shyam Singha Roy Review
'Shyam Singha Roy' hit the screens today. In this section, we are going to review the latest box office release.
Story:
Vasu (Nani) makes a short film that clicks big-time. His feature film debut earns him a massive deal in Bollywood. In a twist of sorts, he gets arrested in the middle of a press meet. What is his crime? Why is he getting memories of his previous birth, where he was a social reformer named Shyam Singha Roy? What is at stake for him and his soulmate Rosy alias Maitreyai (Sai Pallavi)? Watch the film to know the answers.
Analysis:
Writer-director Rahul Sankrityan has figured out the formula of success. After a novel film like 'Taxiwala', he now offers an even more intriguing film where the reincarnation theme is mined to a rousing, poetic effect.
Vasu and Shyam Singha Roy are non-conformist to the core. It's fitting that a social reformer who changes the thinking of millions of people with his powerful writing is reborn as a filmmaker with solid ideas in his brain. He stumbles upon the best ideas because of the play of destiny. And destiny puts him in a spot, only to take him on a higher plane eventually.
The rom-com scenes between Vasu and Keerthy (Krithi Shetty of 'Uppena' fame is one hell of a beauty!) are enjoyable. She gifts him a shirt and this thread (or should we say fabric?) enriches the love story. The entry of Madonna Sebastian (as a lawyer named Padmavathi) and Leela Samson (who as a Psychiatrist is effective) adds two extra layers.
The pre-interval block invigorates our interest like anything. Murali Sharma's lawyer character lends credibility to the proceedings. And once the timeline makes a backward leap to the 1970s West Bengal, the film constantly gives us an intellectual, romantic and artistic high. The social awareness inherent to the plot is inspiring. The dialogues (by Rahul and Jay Krishna) are riveting, especially when they are mouthed by excellent performers like Nani and Sai Pallavi. They both enliven the scenes.
And where the love story is soulful, the cinematography (by the super-talented 'Jersey' lensman Sanu John Verghese) is flawless. The frames are captured neatly. Art director Avinash Kolla's due diligence is on par with (Late) lyricist Sirivennela's profound writing. He has penned two songs and they make the Bengal portions as pleasant as the history of Communism.
The run-time is 157 minutes, but one wouldn't have complained even if the climax was a bit stretched. A couple of interesting dialogues here would have made the love story more epic.
From a woman who says that men are dogs to a publisher who is impatient to punish Vasu, the film is not only versatile but also well-rounded. The song situations are spot-on.
The supporting characters, played by Rahul Ravindran and others, are well-written. The comedy stretches see the presence of Abhinav Gomatam and Ankith Koyya. There is always a silver lining in distressing times and it's men like Shyam Singha Roy, who fall in love and get married while serving the public interest. Salute to such great souls who twirl their moustache like a Bhagat Singh and write like a talented cine writer.
Verdict:
'Shyam Singha Roy' is an exotic tale of unbridled love, undying stories and inspiring visuals.
- Thamizhil Padikka