Yamaleela 2 Review

SV Krishna Reddy's Midas touch goes missing once again.  In a thematic sequel like Yamaleela-2, he assimilates random ideas in his attempt to offer something for everyone - especially the youngsters.  Two decades ago when Yamaleela created BO leela, he was original and brimming with fresh ideas imbued in innocence.  Twenty years on, his creativity looks contaminated by many ideas visible from the movie's many landscapes.

Mohan Babu (Yama) and Brahmanandam (Chitragupta) descend on Planet Earth when the former gets smitten by a daiva kanya's (Sada and troupe in a holy item number) song-n-dance.   Chitragupta makes an error of judgement when he hands over the precious 'Bhavishyavani' from which Yama derives his power and authority, to a stranger (Satish as Krish), who runs away from the spot with the 'vani' before the owners come back. Yama and Chitragupta have to now trace Krish in order to regain entry rights into Hell.

SV liberally weaves into the story so many jaded ideas, ironically to make the film appear updated.  However, glib narration does the film in.  Those who can't locate a particular type of plant in a forest, those who are prone to holidaying than hardworking can't become a doctor, forget inventing a drug.

Krish is a student-scientist who has to find a cure to Leukamia because his niece will die in 3 months if a medicine is not administered.  The owner of a big pharma company (Asish Vidhyarthi in a villain's role) wants to eliminate Krish because only he has the brains to make an anti-cancer drug using herbs from a 'sanjeevani'.  Even as Krish holidays in Kerala and has fun with several sardarjis (played by Chalapathi Rao, Uttej and others), and invents the drug in a jiffy, Yama-Chitragupta duo roam about Hyderabad consuming 'hima kreemulu' and Yama romancing Nisha Kothari in a park.

On the face of it, this one is a parody of a parody.  Scores of films were made following Yamaleela by several second-rate, third-rate and worse directors to capitalize on the revival of socio-fantasy genre. Inevitably, these films ended up looking like lazy mimics.  On the other hand, this one looks like a spoof of a parody from the once original maker!

While SV retains the essential traits of Yama and Chitragupta to give the audience a sense of nostalgia, Gangotri Vishwanath and Bhavani Prasad pen some witty lines here and there.  As if to bring to memory the funny conversation between Kota and Brahmi, there is a scene where Brahmi's replies to cop Posani Krishna Murali's questions are rib-tickling.  'Maku job satisfaction untundi..', 'Aadhar card apply cheyamantara prabhu..' and the like are funny.

It's vintage Mohan Babu when he says 'yamaho yama' and more.  He shows the right attitude and one can't ask for a better actor to do the role.  As ever, he is seen spouting lengthy lines (though less than the usual number of times), becoming romantic with the babe in the park (a full song with Nisha Kothari, nothing less), showing his intensity in a scene or two.  And Brahmi as the ever-so-obedient assistant giving his piece of mind to a troubled Yama, is at it again.

The other characters don't contribute their bit to make this a true socio-fantasy.  While Satish needs to improve on his expressions, Diya Nicholas looks glamorous but is neglected by the director.  The child artiste does a fine and job and she is here to stay.

Tagutobhu Ramesh's therapy humour falls flat.  The sardarji comedy seems to be inspired from existing jokes.  The villains (Asish and Sayaji Shinde) fail to lend seriousness to the proceedings, nor is the comedy of their sidekicks entertaining.

SV's music fails to pass the grade.  Chinna's art work is off the mark.

Verdict: While giving a sense of deja vu, Yamaleela-2 mostly looks like a pastchie of a burlesque.

Rating: 2.75/5

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