Film: Chandamama
Cast: Navadeep, Shivabalaji, Kajal, Sindhu Menon, Nagababu, Ahuthi Prasad, Jeeva, Rajesh, Uttej and others
Dialogues: Lakshmi Bhoopal
Music: K M Radhakrishnan
Cinematography: Prasad Murella
Editing: Baswa Reddy and Naveen (digital editing)
Produced by: C Kalyan and Vijayanand
Banner: Teja Cinema
Story, screenplay and directed by: Krishnavamsi
Release Date: September 6, 2007
CBFC Rating: U
What’s it about?
Rangarao (Nagababu) is kind-hearted village head. For him, his daughter Mahalaskhmi (Kajal) is everything. The city-bred Mahalakshmi comes to their village and soon he arranges a marriage with the local boy Dorababu (Sivabalaji). Dorababu is educated farmer and gentleman. The twist in the tale is that Mahalakshmi has a flashback. She has a lover Kishore (Navadeep) in city. He is mischievous, plays pranks and indulges in practical jokes. One of his practical jokes makes Mahalakshmi believe that he has cheated her. But the story turns U-turn when she reveals her 'story' to Dorababu and sets a flurry of funny incidents.
Analysis
Chandamama is very simple film and on the whole it is an any okay one. It is enjoyable for its comedy.
If you excuse, the first 20 minutes, the film is enjoyable despite the fact that it offers nothing new.
Director Krishnavamsi just rehashes his old films (Ninne Pelladutha and Murari) and familiar scenes in a film that has largely rural ambience. But it works due to comedy scenes especially Ahuthi Prasad's character is hilarious and able performances by both the heroes help further.
Some scenes are illogical and it doesn't go deep in to the characterization.
Music is by par the weakest in Krishnavamsi's films so far.
Performances
Ahuthi Prasad is the one character that is enjoyable in the film. In the role of a care-free rich Godavari guy, he carries it off convincingly and brings humor. He steals the show.
Navadeep is also very likable. As a hyperactive and mischievous youth, he does at very ease and his Hyderabad accent is hilarious.
Siva Balaji looks dignified. He does a kind of role that normally Venkatesh does. He gets all the sympathy.
Kajal is appealing in modern dresses than village-belle kind of character. The chemistry between Navadeep and Kajal is excellent. Charmi seems to have dubbed her voice that is not suitable to her svelte figure.
Sindhu Menon character is straight from many of KV's earlier films. Yet, she looks glamorous.
Nagababu as father is good.
Technically, Prasad Murella work is appreciable. He captures Hampi locations beautifully. Production values are adequate. K M Radhakrishnan's music doesn't appeal.
Krishnvamsi's direction is neat and good but his story has nothing new. Picuterisation of Muddu song is very creative.
Bottom-line
On the whoe, Chandamama is okay film,. It provides some entertainment and the lead pair is cute. Navadeep, Shivabalaji and Ahuthi Prasad are major plus points. It has everything that associates with a Krishnavamsi film - two dozen or so actors appearing in a single frame, heroines overacting with emotions, hyperactive relationships, an antakshari program, through out film one function or the other happening and houses are decorated with thousands of coconuts, corn, oranges, or what not.
Some thoughts
1. Kajal is urban educated girl. But she makes hue and cry when she gets vomit and thinks that she is pregnant. How silly?
2. Out of the blue Navadeep appears on to the screen and does all sorts of things but we never get to know what his real 'background' is.
3. Like in all Krishnavamsi films, we never understand why hero or heroine's houses always are filled with at least 50 members all the time as if they are running 'satram's.
4. What's title got to do with the movie?
