Magadheera
Cast: Ram Charan, Kajal, Dev Gil, Srihari, Surya, Sarath Babu, Sunil, Brahmananadam, Hema, Chiranjeevi, Kim Sharma, Mumaith Khan, Subbaraya Sarma, Rao Ramesh, etc
Story: Vijayendra Prasad
Dialogues: M.Ratnam
Music: Keeravani
Sound design: Kalyani Malik
Cinematography: Senthil Kumar
Art Director Ravindar
Editing: Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao
Fights: Ram-Lakshman, Peter Haines
Lyrics: Chandrabose, Bhuvanachandra, M.M. Keeravani
Produced by: Allu Aravind
Directed by: S S Rajamouli
Banner: Geeta Arts
Release date: July 31, 2009
CBFC Rating: U/A
What's it about
Magadheera
is about rebirth and revenge.
Harsha (Ram Charan) is a bike racer. He accidentally touches the hand of a girl
Indu (Kajal) that creates sparks in his body. He meets Indu, but she hides her
identity and plays pranks with him. Indu�s father (Surya) is fighting to get
back their ancestral Udaighad castle. His nephew (Dev Gil) eyes
Indu, kills his uncle, and puts the blame on Harsha. From this point on, the
story goes back in time 400 years.
Kalabhirava (Ram
Charan) acts as a bodyguard to Udaigadh's princess Mitravinda (Kajal)
and also trains the king's soldiers. Mitravinda loves Kalabhairava. On the
other hand, the king's nephews Billa (Dev Gil) wants to take over the
kingdom and marry the princess. In a challenge, Kalabhairava defeats Billa.
Meanwhile, a muslim emperor Sher Khan (Srihari) plans to take over the kingdom
with the help of Billa. In an epic battle, Kalabhiarava saves the kingdom and
also gets killed along with the princess. The rest of the story is about
the rebirth of Kalabhairava to take revenge on Billa and win his lady love in
this birth.
Analysis:
First things first:
Magaheera, in one word, is splendid! It sets new
standards in commercial Telugu Cinema. One needs guts, and a great passion
to make this kind of fantasy period film on a grand scale with outstanding
visual effects (VFX). Director Rajamouli has choreographed the scenes to have
CG work seamlessly into the narration unlike other films where only CG work
dominates than the content. Kudos to Rajamouli for translating his vision onto
the screen to near-perfection. The soul and strength of
Magadheera
lies in the 400-years-old episode that occupies about 45 minutes in the second
half. This entire episode captivates the audiences. It is not to
say that the rest of the scenes are not interesting but this episode is the
life of the movie and etches in our mind long after leaving the theatre.
Great artwork, top-notch
camerawork and performances in this episode alone are worth tons of
praises. Both the content and technological finesse gels well.
Thematically, technically, and in every aspect of film,
Magadheera
raises the bar and floats high over the standard commercial films. Every
segment of audience can enjoy it thoroughly. On the downside, the film’s script
is somewhat clichéd and its so-called comedy remains as sore thumb.
Scenes that really stand
out are:
* Script pundits say you need to arrest the audiences in the first 10
minutes and Magadheera does it with the bang in the very beginning. The very
opening scene is so dramatic and it makes you glued to the screen. From writing
point of view, it is a masterstroke.
* Ram Charan and Dev Gil taking of the challenge and horse-riding
sequences shot in Kacch area are visually alluring.
* Kalabhairava's
confrontation scene gives goose bumps.
Performances:
With this film,
Ram Charan Tej has evolved into a true star. He looks
awesome in the period get up of Kalabhairava. His gait, expressions, and
horse-riding skills are impeccable. Of course, like his father Chiranjeevi, he
dances effortlessly. Fans may go crazy for his dance in
bangaaru
kODipeTTa... RamCharan Taj is definitely "star material" as
he proved with this film beyond doubt!
Kajal
is perfect fit to the role of a
charming princess. She is so cute in her looks and her chemistry with Ram
Charan works greatly on the screen. Kajal will join the top league of actress
in Telugu Cinema industry with this film.
Srihari
as Sher Khan brings life to the
move. His role is brief but instrumental to the story, and it would remain
one of the best roles he played in his career. Dev Gil as villain gives tough
competition to the current villains of Telugu cinema. In the film, he seems a
perfect opponent for Ram Charan. Among other cast, it is
Rao Ramesh as
Ghora scores with good performance. The
Megastar Chiranjeevi himself
appears in a brief scene to cheers the fans.
Technical Performances:
This film needs special
mention for its brilliant technical crew. Every technical member has excelled
in one's own right.
Rajamouli should be mentioned first for his vision,
for his perfection, and for his directorial capabilities. He has now become the
master of commercial movies. There is no other director in Telugu to understand
the pulse of the so-called mass audiences. He once again proved that none could
beat him in elevating the heroism, picturizing fantasy or period films. He
always had a vision, no doubt, but this time, he executes with perfection.
He attempted the same with earlier film,
Yamadonga, a socio-fantasy
flick,
but could not achieve it near perfect then. The formula is still
the same - a simple first half, 30 minutes of fantasy elements in the
second half and revenge drama in the finale - as in the format for
Yamadonga. Rajamouli
has done it this time on larger scale and with better finesse.
Rajamouli is ably
aided by his long-time cameraman
Senthil Kumar. After
Yamadonga
and
Arudhathi, Senthil does it again! In
Magadheera, his work is
on par with some of the international films! The scenes he shot in Kacch area
in Gujarath and some episodes in the second half are outstanding examples of
his prowess. The creative work from his camera can be seen in the picturization
of
dheera dheera... and
panchadaara... songs too.
Camera tilting up slowly over the two pillars of Uday Gadh fort's entrance
and sweeping pan of the fort are awesome. Cameraman Senthil needs all the
praise for these just two shots.
The next person that should
be commended is music director
M.M. Keeravaani. His songs are well in
tune with theme of the film, with especially
dheera dheera... and
panchadaara...
songs standing out as being catchy. Like always, the veteran music director
elevates the mood of the film with his rerecording. This time, his cousin
Kalyani Mallik also helps him in sound designing. Together they made the film
aurally rich. Chorography of the songs especially, Dheera Dheera, (by Shiva
Kumar master), are also composed aesthetically. Prem Rakshit's choreography is
good too.
Art director
Ravinder's
work is really commendable. The Udaigadh set is almost real! The film looks
grand, all because of this art director! Special effects and graphics
(supervised by Kamal Kannan) are perfect and the best we have ever seen on
Indian screen.
Rama Rajamouli's
costumes for Ram Charan and Kajal
for both periods are perfectly suitable.
Peter Haines' action episodes
are good. Editing is neat. Producer Allu Aravind should be praised for
pumping money extravagantly into the film with confidence on the
project. His expenditure is visible on the screen.
Bottom line:
Magadheera is spellbinding and excellent. It could be the best bet
for entertainment in this season. The second half of the film is the soul and
strength and when you leave the theatre, that happy feeling remains in
your mind! Director Rajamouli made this good entertainer that can be enjoyed by
all section of audiences. Go for it!
TC Rating: 4/5
Reviewed by Jalapathy G
Related Links :
Abroad Schedules
Magadheera Audio Release
Magadheera Wall posters
Magadheera new Stills
