Film: Pandurangadu
Cast: Balakrishna (in dual role), Sneha, Tabu, K Vishwanadh, Mohan Babu, Suhasini, Archana, Balaiah, Brahmanandam, Y Vijaya, Apoorva, L B Sriram and others
Story and dialogues: J K Bharavi
Music: M M Keeravani
Lyrics: Veturi, Chandrabose, Suddala Ashok Teja, Vedavyas
Cinematography: Jayaram
Art: Bhaskar Raj
Produced by: K Krishnamohan Rao
Screenplay and directed by: K Raghavendra Rao
Release Date: May 30, 2008
What's it about!
Pundareeka Ranganathudu aka Rangadu (Balakrishna) has all the vices. He is womanizer and mistreats his parents. His parents (K Vishwanath and Shivaparvathi) are pained by his deeds and pressurize him to get married. Rangadu is attracted to local prostitute Amrutha (Tabu) and their relationship grows thick. On other hand, there is Lakshmi (Sneha) who is devotee of Lord Krishna. She dreams that Lord Krishna ordered to get married to Rangadu. Lakshmi herself comes to his home and asks to marry her. Initially he refuses but finally accepts her as his wife. Even after marriage he doesn’t change his vices. The rest of the film is how Lord Krishna makes Pandurangadu realize his faults and makes him better person.
Analysis
The film tells the story of Pandurangadu, a devotee of Lord Krishna. Based on the NTR’s classic - Panduranga Mahatyam, the movie doesn't look like exact remake. Basic storyline is similar to that classic, yet the script completely differs from the movie. While the classic was more about a son repenting for mistreating his parents, Pandurangadu deals with 'Krishna tatva'. And also Lord Krishna takes the cake here unlike the original.
After Annamayya and Sri Ramadasu, director K Raghavendra Rao once again comes up with winner with Pandurangadu. His midas touch is clearly visible in the last 45 minutes of the film. The magical combination of MM Keeravani and Raghavendra Rao works again. Indeed, Keeravani steals the show once again with extremely soulful devotional numbers and extraordinary re-recording.
The first half is not good. One can feel boredom prior to the interval. The movie bounces back in the last 45 - 50 minutes with a pace that never dulls a moment there. That saves the entire movie. The first half has overdose of 'Srungaram'.
This portion of movie reaffirms the fact that 'Darshakendrudu Raghavendra Rao' comes to his elements in executing 'devotional scenes' and 'romantic songs'.
Performances
Expectedly,
Balakrishna shines in the role of Lord Krishna. Of the two roles he played, it is Krishna's role that scores although his performance as Bhakta towards the climax is good. But makeup (the blueness) should have been subtle. For his age, flirting with girls is not apt and ageing is visible in his face.
Sneha has now perfected the art of suffering of a wife in films. She is excellent.
Tabu looks hot. She shows off her assets more than required in a very important role of a prostitute. You get to see plenty of cleavage in the movie.
Mohan Babu in a small role is good. K Vishwanath and others have done justice to the role.
Raghavendra Rao should have concentrated more on the aspect of casting.
Technically, there is only one person’s work that dominates throughout the movie -
Keeravani's. Simply, he is marvelous. Added to his great swaras, lyrics compliment them perfectly.
Suddala Ashok Teja's touching lyrics in Matrodevobhava and
Chandrabose's romantic numbers deserve special praise. Malayalam singer Madhu Gopala Krishna’s rendition has brought freshness. Music is backbone to the movie. Jayaram's camera and Art directed by Bhaskar Raju are okay.
Bottom-line
Balakrishna's fans can finally heave sigh of the relief. K Raghavendra Rao and M M Keeravani's magical combination works again. Last 45 minutes and music are Pandurangadu's biggest strengths. Balakrishna shines in the role of Lord Krishna. While the first half has overdose of 'glamour' (cleavage show), second half has elevated the movie. On the whole it is worth watching for post-interval episodes and excellent songs.
Rating: 3.25/5
