Film: Kantri
Cast: NTR, Hansika, Tanisha, Prakash Raj, Ashish Vidyaradhi, Kota, Dharmavarapu, Brahmanandam, Sunil, and others
Music: Manisharma
Cinematography: Sameer Reddy
Action: Stun Shiva
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh
Choreography: Prem Rakshit, Raju Sundaram
Art: A S Prakash
Executive producer: Sai Baba
Produced by: C Ashwani Dutt
Story, screenplay and directed by: Meher Ramesh
Release Date: May 9, 2008
CBFC Rating: U/A
What's it about
Kranthi aka Kantri (NTR) joins the gang run by Seshu (Ashish Vidhyardhi). Seshu is controlled by mafia don PR alias Potu Raju (Prakash Raj) from Hong Kong. When asked to capture the men from rival gang in Hong Kong, Kranthi finishes the mission successfully that impresses PR. On other hand, Kranthi meets an acting student Varalakshmi (Hansika) who is luckiest woman around. Romance blossoms between them. When Kranthi's friend needs urgent medical treatment, he seeks monetary help from Seshu to which he declines. Enraged Kranthi forms his own gang and that prompts PR to come down to India. When both of them face each other, it is revealed that Kranthi is son of PR. The movie has an interesting twist in the end.
Analysis
Director Meher Ramesh goes for safe game. Like his guru Puri Jagannadh, he tries to elevate hero characterisation and completely focuses on giving NTR new look. He succeeds in projecting NTR completely in different new avatar. Unlike in other NTR movies, NTR looks very stylish - a blend of class and mass. Contentwise, it is very routine. Yet, it has some strong commercial points that might appeal to NTR fans like NTR's new look, dances and some self indulgent dialogues.
Basic storyline is taken from Argentinean movie - Nine Queens (2000) but director Meher Ramesh focussed more on gangs and father-son relationship than the 'con' (Kantri) man aspect. And the romantic drama between NTR and Hansika is taken from Just My Luck (2006).
Twist in the climax, first half, some dialogues and NTR are the best parts. The rest is same age-old formulae.
Performances
It is NTR all the way. He has shed weight for Yamadonga and but his appearance was not consistent in that movie. Here, he looks completely different and very stylish. The dressing style is urbane and cool. Meher Ramesh should be commended for giving NTR new look. Unlike his past movies, his acting is subtle and doesn't mouth pages of dialogue. NTR once again proves that no one can beat him in dances. An animation of NTR using Motion Picture technology is incorporated but it is not appealing; moreover it’s very irritating.
Hansika is right jodi for NTR. She looks beautiful.
Tanisha's role is meaningless and serves no purpose. Prakash Raj’s acting has become repetitive. Sunil and Brahamanandam's episodes should be chopped immediately. Ali is okay. Dharmavarapu and Krishna Baghavan have provided some laughter.
Of all the songs, two songs -
Vayasu Sunami and
I Go Crazy stand out. NTR's dance steps in the song I Go Crazy are amazing, while the picturisation of Vayausu Sunami is the best. Manisharma’s music by and large is weak.
Technically it is cameraman
Sameer Reddy's work that steals the attention. He has done superb job.
Director Meher Ramesh gets more appreciation for his dialogues. He has shown excellent flair for the dialougues and has incorporated NTR's offscreen and family image into the dailouges. Had he concentrated on second half, it would have been different story.
Bottom-line!
Kantri is mixed bag. Over all, Kantri will appeal to die-hard NTR fans. NTR's performance is the big asset. His dance movements remain highlights. But others, it is not that appealing. Without doubt, the second half is big bore. Twist before the climax then puts it back. NTR's killing looks and dances, first half and Meher Ramesh's dialogues can save the film.
Rating: 3/5
Gallery
- NTR in Kantri
- Tanisha Gallery
- Kantri Gallery
Sourced from:
Nine Queens (2000)
- Some of the scenes related to hero resemble to this Argentian movie.
