Reviews : Movie Reviews : Yamadonga

Film: Yamadonga
Cast: NTR, Mohan Babu, Priyamani, Mamatha Mohandas, Khushboo, Rambha, Navneet Kaur, Preethi Jhingania, Archana, Narendra Jha, Brahmanandam, Ali, Raghubabu, Jayprakash Reddy, MS Narayana, Naresh, Rajeev Kanakala and others.
Story: Vijayendra Prasad
Dailogues: M Rathnam
Cinematography: K.K. Senthil Kumar
Art: Anand Sai
Fights: Paneer Selvan Choroegraphy: Raju Sundaram, Dinesh, Prem Rakshit, Sorbee
Edited by: Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao
Graphic Coordinator: Kamal Kannan
Music: M.M. Keeravani
Costume Designer and Presented by: Rama Rajamouli
Produced by: Cherry and Urmila
Banner: Viswamitra Vreations
Screenplay and directed by: S.S. Rajamouli
Release Date: August 15, 2007
CBFC Rating: U/A

Yamadonga Links

Hero NTR - Interview

Rajamouli - Chitchat

Audio Review

Movie stills 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Abroad Schedules

Mamata Mohandas Interview

What's it about?

Raja (NTR) is a petty thief. He sets out to steal a gown on the insistence of a businessman (M S Narayana). Raja brings that gown. When he is about to be paid, the businessman dies of heart attack. So Raja yells at Lord Yama in frustration. Yama (MohanBabu) who wants to find out what the people on earth are thinking about him listens this and gets angry. He asks Chitragupta to bring Raja to Yamalokam though he has many years to live. Raja is killed by the goons and is brought to Yamalokam. How Raja makes Yama's life miserable in the Yamalokam and comes to the earth again forms the rest of the story. There is a love angle to this between Raja and Mahi (Priyamani), a jaminder's daughter.

First things first

After two blockbusters - Student No.1 and Simhadri, the awesome NTR and Rajamouli combo is back. Rajamouli charters new territory from his regular revenge drama or action films. This time he has chosen socio-fantasy. So when a dynamic combo join hands for third time, you expect the film to be, if not better, at least at par with their last film, Simhadri. But Yamadonga turns out to be just an average film. It has some major advantages and some minuses. Before we analyze further let's see what works for the film and what not.

What works for the film?

1. The Interesting first half. Especially the pre-interval scenes are amazing.

2. NTR's performance and hard work. As Lord Yama in a brief role, his acting and dialogue delivery entertains, amuses and gives high to the Nandamuri fans. Surprisingly, he has surpassed Mohan Babu in those scenes.

3. Late NTR's Graphics. The graphical work of Late NTR seem almost real and his scenes with his grandson NTR are major attraction. In fact that entire episode is entertaining.

4. The verbal exchanges between Mohan Babu and NTR and the Yamalokam episode is good.

5. The major difference to other 'Yama' films to this Yamadonga is that the character is not passive. Here Yama character is very active and dynamic which has brought novelty and set a flurry of interesting scenes in the film. Mohan Babu who is known for impeccable dialogue delivery has enhanced it.

6. Humongous set of Yamalokam and Graphical work. Perhaps the Yamalokam set is one of best erected sets in the recent times in Telugu films.

7. Entertainment in the first half is plus point.

And What doesn't..

1. Biggest minus points are its length and inconsistency in screenplay. With a running time of 3 hour plus, the film needs urgent trimming.

2. Post interval, the narration and proceedings lack fizz. There is no drive in the story. Climax is very predictable.

3. Lack of emotional connectivity. S S Rajamouli's movies are popular for its emotional scenes but here it is not that effective

4. Though basic story thread is okay but the screenplay is inconsistent.

Performances

NTR has given an outstanding performance. He looks completely different. He is lean and his hair style is also different and very stylish. He has played two roles in the movie – the normal human being and portrayed for a brief time as Lord Yama. He has essayed both the roles with finesse. His body language, dialogue delivery in the mythological role and his words of exchange with Mohan Babu are real feast.

You can't imagine this film without Mohan Babu. He is best suited to that role and has carried it off very well. After NTR and Mohan Babu, it is Mamta Mohandas who steals the show in the second half. Her Nellore slang (she herself dubbed her voice) and performance deserves special mention. Priyamani is not that effective and her role resembles to that of Bhumika's in Simhadri. Brahmanandam as Chitragupta is okay. Keeravani's two sons act in the film as the titles roll on.

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