Varudu Review

"The intention of the director is good but has he succeeded in communicating it through the film?" is what you feel after watching Varudu film.

What starts off as a meaningful film aimed at showcasing the greatness of our marriage system, slowly gets into long and arduous spells of preaching and routine action drama.

Getting into the details, Sandeep a.k.a. Sandy (Allu Arjun) is a trendy youngster of twenty first century with enough respect to our culture and tradition. He is the doting son of a very sweet couple Vasu (Suhasini) and Gopi (Ashish Vidyardhi). Sandy's parents are love married couple and Sandy helps his friends in their love marriages. He is the centre of attraction of his friends' gang and everyone in his gang is of the opinion that Sandy's will be a thrilling love marriage.

But to their disbelief, when Vasu and Gopi bring forth marriage discussion, Sandy says that he wants to do an arranged marriage and leaves the whole responsibility of his marriage on his parents. Also he stresses that his marriage should be performed in a traditional way, replete with all the auspicious rituals and ceremonies. Thus he goes for a five day marriage in these days of quick marriages, where sanctity of our age old marriage system is fast eroding due to some peoples irresponsible attitudes.

Thus the movie starts on a healthy note setting up for a perfect take off.

But what follows next does not quite reach the expectations of audience.

Once Sandy says yes for marriage, quickly follow the selection of bride, marriage scenes with scores of relatives, camaraderie, colourful and huge settings.

After all the rituals are performed and when Sandy is just about to tie the knot with Deepthi (Bhanu), an unexpected and dreadful problem erupts and their marriage gets stalled.

What's the problem and how Sandy solves it and marries Deepthi forms the crux of the movie in the later part.

Made in the crazy combination of Gunashekar and Allu Arjun, this movie created quite a buzz. Also the publicity made for the film created interest in all sections of audience.

People enter the theatre keeping in mind that this film will showcase the five day marriage system which was prevalent in our previous generations and to get a taste of our ancient traditions. But they get disappointed when the movie takes the routine path in second half.

While the slow pace in the first half makes us uneasy, routine action fare in the second half has nothing new to offer.

The only saving grace of the movie in the second half is the presence of Tamil actor Arya in a negative role. Arya does the role of antagonist in the film and he effortlessly steals the show in second half with his performance as a bad guy. In fact he even over shadows Allu Arjun at times.

Apart from story, as usually, in tune with Gunashekar's reputation, the settings deserve special mention. Art director Ashok has come up with impressive work. RD Rajashekar complements the art work with his cinematography. Except for the climax fight, action part is just ok. It's same with the editing. 

But one thing which surely lets us down is songs. Except for the marriage song, Manisharma's music is just passable. More importantly, songs also do not have the trademark Allu Arjun stamp where he mesmerizes us with his innovative and stylish steps. The hype surrounding the heroine does not quite give a kick as she is just average. Suhasini and Ashish Vidyarthi roles are sweet. Others like Ahuti Prasad, Nazar, Sayaji Shinde have done supporting roles. Rao Ramesh as a police officer is nice.

Brahmanadam's comedy track is routine. Veteran director Singeetam Srinivas Rao becomes an actor with this film.. 

In spite of all the shortcomings Allu Arjun has to be complemented for taking up a story like this which magnifies our age old traditions. But director Gunashekar lets us down. We certainly expected more form Gunashekar.

"A good marriage leads to good off springs, good off springs lead to a good family, a good family leads to a good society." This is what the movie wanted to convey. But we have to wait and see whether this message has been just reflected in the dialogues or has it reached the audience's hearts.

Released on: 31st March, 2010