Movie Review: MUKUNDA (By Hapra)
Rating: 2.5/5
Cast: Varun Teja, Pooja Hegde, Prakash Raj,
Cinematographer: Manikandan
Music: Mickey J Meyer
Story-Dialogues-Direction: Srikanth Addala
Producer: Nallamalupu Srinivas
Release date: 24th December, 2014
Much hyped debut of another hero from Megastar Chiranjeevi’s family is finally here. One wonders why Varun Tej has chosen a soft-director like Srikanth Addala for his debut, yet his selection is lauded, as the music scored by Mickey raised expectations. Let us see how the movie is anyway.
The CONTENT
Mukunda (Varun Tej) is son of an onions trader (Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao) who pursues at a degree college and then cares a lot about his friend Arjun. With Arjun falling in love with Municipal Chairman (Rao Ramesh) brother’s daughter, trouble arises. As Chairman’s henchmen try to attack Arjun, Mukunda confronts them. In the meanwhile Chairman gets ready for next election only to be confronted by Mukunda again, by bringing a philosopher Prakash Raj into scene. Also Mukunda falls flat for Chairaman’s daughter (Pooja Hegde). So, what happens to election, Arjun’s love and Mukunda’s love? Watch it on big screen.
The EFFORT :
On-Screen:
For his debut, Varun Tej did a decent job. His towering personality and body language sets the stage perfectly for him as a Telugu cinema hero. Impressive dialogue delivery is a huge asset, though it lacked base. He has terrific timing in fights while dances are just okay. But there is no emotional scene where we could see his in-depth acting, but otherwise he is fine for a debutant.
Pooja Hegde, being a hot model, looks gorgeous in traditional costumes and are her sharp features. Though her role is felt throughout the movie, there is nothing much she could really do.
Rao Ramesh is the backbone of the flick, as he electrifies the author backed role with his terrific screen presence. Probably he is the best Telugu speaking native villains we have. The way he used the ‘telugu’ version of physics terms will entertain all educated youths. His emotions and satires will make you glue to him.
Prakash Raj is a force who shined in a small role. As his character always utters inspirational words for people around him, the impact could be felt. Only he could do justice for such a miniscule role. Others including Raghubabu, Nazar and Ali have done a good job. Sekhar Kammula is seen in a small cameo at the end.
Off-Screen:
Director Srikanth Addala always tickles that ‘sensitive’ bone with his trademark satires. He picks up emotional scenes that focus on what is happening around in the society. Even in Mukunda he did the same, as he carefully carved out a melodrama of rich politicians and thoughtless youths in Godavari backdrop. While he extracted brilliant performances from all, he failed to an extent with not-so-engaging screenplay. Though he wrote touching dialogues, they are tad bit tacky at times.
Cinematographer Manikandan is the heart and soul of the flick. His visuals are top notch as he captures the rugged terrains of Godavari area with a beauty. Say it Varun’s heroic look, Pooja’s beautiful smiles, Rao Ramesh’s tyrannous behaviour, they all have got highlighted due to his camera work. However, musically engaging songs have become little sloppy on the screen.
Music director Mickey J Meyer too stands as another pole for the flick, as his background score elevates even the simplest of scenes. All other technicians did their best to give an artistic look to the flick.
The PLUSES:
· Varun Tej
· Rao Ramesh
· Music and Telugu-feel
The MINUSES:
· Weak second half
· Poor climax
· No big story and twists
BREAKDOWN:
As said and done many times, director Srikanth Addala never comes up with story but he weaves beautiful scenes that revolve around middle-class emotions. However, those beautiful moments of Kotha Bangaru Lokam and Seethamma Vaakitlo are missing in Mukunda. There is neither a decent emotional setup, nor any excitement that could hook audiences to screens. In the gamble of narrating a Godavari-based story, Srikanth lost track half way with predictability and simplicity taking lead over him.
Movie starts on an interesting note, as director’s voice over says that there is no big story he has with him to narrate but will pick somebody’s life and watch it. Varun Tej is introduced simply, not like the way masses would love to see him, but in a decent manner. As the film cuts back to Godavari region, interesting moments do happen as the story is opened straight on love story, caring friends and thought provoking idelogies. Confrontation scenes between Varun and Rao Ramesh stand top as their dialogues are spine chilling. Amidst some simple comedy scenes, the film reaches its interval with good expectations on second half. But Srikanth Addala has fallen flat here. Intriguing dramas and unpredictable twists are missing as story has fallen into regular groove. At least we expect something ‘stunning’ in climax. But then, climax is much simpler than anyone could think off.
‘Lack of aspiration’ is the biggest crime, is what Srikanth Addala has decided to tell audiences. By the time we understand that, the film gets completed. Probably he should have altered screenplay and written very well engaging scenes to create impact. On entertainment front, Varun Tej’s dialogues and fights hold tight but pop-corn style comedy hasn’t clicked. With many dull moments and slow narration, Mukunda is not a thundering debut for the mega hero, but it lays good foundation for him. Few educated youths may like it, but masses will not lay red carpet.
The FINISHING Line: Can be watched once for Varun Tej
Review By: Hapra
Rating: 2.5/5
Cast: Varun Teja, Pooja Hegde, Prakash Raj,
Cinematographer: Manikandan
Music: Mickey J Meyer
Story-Dialogues-Direction: Srikanth Addala
Producer: Nallamalupu Srinivas
Release date: 24th December, 2014
Much hyped debut of another hero from Megastar Chiranjeevi’s family is finally here. One wonders why Varun Tej has chosen a soft-director like Srikanth Addala for his debut, yet his selection is lauded, as the music scored by Mickey raised expectations. Let us see how the movie is anyway.
The CONTENT
Mukunda (Varun Tej) is son of an onions trader (Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao) who pursues at a degree college and then cares a lot about his friend Arjun. With Arjun falling in love with Municipal Chairman (Rao Ramesh) brother’s daughter, trouble arises. As Chairman’s henchmen try to attack Arjun, Mukunda confronts them. In the meanwhile Chairman gets ready for next election only to be confronted by Mukunda again, by bringing a philosopher Prakash Raj into scene. Also Mukunda falls flat for Chairaman’s daughter (Pooja Hegde). So, what happens to election, Arjun’s love and Mukunda’s love? Watch it on big screen.
The EFFORT :
On-Screen:
For his debut, Varun Tej did a decent job. His towering personality and body language sets the stage perfectly for him as a Telugu cinema hero. Impressive dialogue delivery is a huge asset, though it lacked base. He has terrific timing in fights while dances are just okay. But there is no emotional scene where we could see his in-depth acting, but otherwise he is fine for a debutant.
Pooja Hegde, being a hot model, looks gorgeous in traditional costumes and are her sharp features. Though her role is felt throughout the movie, there is nothing much she could really do.
Rao Ramesh is the backbone of the flick, as he electrifies the author backed role with his terrific screen presence. Probably he is the best Telugu speaking native villains we have. The way he used the ‘telugu’ version of physics terms will entertain all educated youths. His emotions and satires will make you glue to him.
Prakash Raj is a force who shined in a small role. As his character always utters inspirational words for people around him, the impact could be felt. Only he could do justice for such a miniscule role. Others including Raghubabu, Nazar and Ali have done a good job. Sekhar Kammula is seen in a small cameo at the end.
Off-Screen:
Director Srikanth Addala always tickles that ‘sensitive’ bone with his trademark satires. He picks up emotional scenes that focus on what is happening around in the society. Even in Mukunda he did the same, as he carefully carved out a melodrama of rich politicians and thoughtless youths in Godavari backdrop. While he extracted brilliant performances from all, he failed to an extent with not-so-engaging screenplay. Though he wrote touching dialogues, they are tad bit tacky at times.
Cinematographer Manikandan is the heart and soul of the flick. His visuals are top notch as he captures the rugged terrains of Godavari area with a beauty. Say it Varun’s heroic look, Pooja’s beautiful smiles, Rao Ramesh’s tyrannous behaviour, they all have got highlighted due to his camera work. However, musically engaging songs have become little sloppy on the screen.
Music director Mickey J Meyer too stands as another pole for the flick, as his background score elevates even the simplest of scenes. All other technicians did their best to give an artistic look to the flick.
The PLUSES:
· Varun Tej
· Rao Ramesh
· Music and Telugu-feel
The MINUSES:
· Weak second half
· Poor climax
· No big story and twists
BREAKDOWN:
As said and done many times, director Srikanth Addala never comes up with story but he weaves beautiful scenes that revolve around middle-class emotions. However, those beautiful moments of Kotha Bangaru Lokam and Seethamma Vaakitlo are missing in Mukunda. There is neither a decent emotional setup, nor any excitement that could hook audiences to screens. In the gamble of narrating a Godavari-based story, Srikanth lost track half way with predictability and simplicity taking lead over him.
Movie starts on an interesting note, as director’s voice over says that there is no big story he has with him to narrate but will pick somebody’s life and watch it. Varun Tej is introduced simply, not like the way masses would love to see him, but in a decent manner. As the film cuts back to Godavari region, interesting moments do happen as the story is opened straight on love story, caring friends and thought provoking idelogies. Confrontation scenes between Varun and Rao Ramesh stand top as their dialogues are spine chilling. Amidst some simple comedy scenes, the film reaches its interval with good expectations on second half. But Srikanth Addala has fallen flat here. Intriguing dramas and unpredictable twists are missing as story has fallen into regular groove. At least we expect something ‘stunning’ in climax. But then, climax is much simpler than anyone could think off.
‘Lack of aspiration’ is the biggest crime, is what Srikanth Addala has decided to tell audiences. By the time we understand that, the film gets completed. Probably he should have altered screenplay and written very well engaging scenes to create impact. On entertainment front, Varun Tej’s dialogues and fights hold tight but pop-corn style comedy hasn’t clicked. With many dull moments and slow narration, Mukunda is not a thundering debut for the mega hero, but it lays good foundation for him. Few educated youths may like it, but masses will not lay red carpet.
The FINISHING Line: Can be watched once for Varun Tej
Review By: Hapra