Film: Mr.Medhavi
Cast: Raja, Genelia, Suman, Sonu Sood, Dharmavarapu, M S Narayana, Tanikella
Music: Chakri
Cinematography: Sunil K Reddy
Produced by: Bodduluri Rama Rao
Story, screenplay, dialogues and directed by: Neelakantha
Release Date: Jan 26, 2008
CBFC Rating: U
What’s it about
A school teacher adopts Vishwak Sen (Raja) and raises him as good man. After the teacher’s death, Vishwak Sen learns manipulative tricks to succeed in life and in the process loses his integrity. He develops love towards his childhood friend Swetha (Genelia) and plays his same tricks to win her love. He succeeds in mission but a jolt of surprise awaits for him in the end.
Analysis
Director Neelakantha this time chooses 'narrative' structure to tell the story. The film starts off interestingly with lead characters narrating the movie. He presents a simple love story in a different manner. The first half is too good laced with humour. But the second half drags on for no end and at times tests the patience. The film appeals to elite audiences as it lacks commercial elements. Raja and Genelia look good as pair and the scenes between them are well-shot. The first half can be enjoyed by everyone - especially the scenes between Dharmavarapu and M S Narayana are enjoyable. Post the interval, Raja meeting Sonu Sood and connecting scenes are tedious.
The intention of making hero realize his fault by putting against him an ideal person is good but it misfires with the wrong casting (Sonu Sood) and somewhere along the line the director has missed the grip.
Performances
Neelakantha extracts good performance from hero
Raja. He looks handsome too.His character is an extention of Venu's Sada Mee Sevalto but here Raja looks endearing.
Genelia looks chirpy as always. Sonu Sood is a miscast for the role. M S Narayana and Dharmavarapu provide enough comedy. Suman and Tanikella are okay.
Technically, it is
Sunil Reddy's cinematography that catches the attention. He has done excellent job. Chakri's music is good although all the tunes are repetitive. As a director and writer
Neelakantha succeeds but he should have been more careful in the second half.
Bottom-line
Neelakantha presents a simple love story with an interesting narration that appeals to limited section of audiences. After a very good first half, the film drags on and misses the track until the 'twist' in the climax. The film can be liked by elite audiences.
Rating: 3/5
