It is time for yet another rom-com set in the rural backdrop. A not-so-fresh idea gets the right dose of helping from an imaginative writer, but the debutantes don't redeem the show. Naga Anvesh looks neat and model-like and that's all. The proceedings are treated like a breeze, then the show goes down the routine trajectory.
Chanti (Naga Anvesh) and Janaki (Krithika Jayakumar of 'Drishyam' fame) are neighbours. Janaki being the daughter of Chowdhary (Prakash Raj), a respected and feared head of the village, the relationship she has with Chanti is not exactly friendship, even though they both have been friends-like since childhood. Chanti is the son of Naresh, a middle-class man. Unemployed but jaunty, he takes pleasure in admiring Janaki from distance and being mischievous in her presence. When it is engagement time for Janaki, Chanti stares at a dim future. This is when Janaki comes to know that Chanti has been loving him.
Although the story is thin, the director doesn't come a cropper. He shows imagination in dishing out some once watchable moments by lacing ordinary proceedings with pep and fun. There is no great dialogue to help, though.
The first half is a reasonably breezy affair with help chipped in by Brahmanandam, Shakalaka Shankar, Jabardash Sreenu, Harish and others. Duvvasi Mohan should have been used in a better way. Brahmi's tryst with Tiger Narayana is vintage Brahmi at his best. But the ideas themselves look stale here and there.
Chalapathi Rao, Hema and Tulasi fit the bill.
The songs are conceptualized well and they bring out Chanti's feelings and pathos well. 'Po Po..' is one such number.
The trouble begins when the film takes a routine turn. It becomes predictable while Ali and Sapthagiri are jaded.
Prakash Raj is seen in an old-style role, made watchable because of his talent. There is no great dialogue, here too.
Chanti's characterization is designed to evoke humor but the actor himself doesn't come with comic timing. He fares well when it comes to an emotional scene or two.
Anup Rubens' music is sub par, to say the least. Rasool Ellore's cinematography works in bits and pieces.
The film is stuffed with age-old ideas like two lovebirds having gala time with strangers, who happen to be very loving and caring and non-Telugu. It's a cliched idea that has been done to death.
As it is, the film has Brahmi and Ali falling in trouble without their knowledge, and with their over-confidence. The element should have been treated with imagination.
Verdict: A storyline that has been done to death, scenes that are cliched, good-looking actors who have no remarkable acting skills..
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