'Bangaru Bullodu' has released in theatres today (January 23). Coming as it does after the largely successful Sankranthi releases (with the exception of 'Alludu Adhurs'), the film is the first notable post-festival release of the year. Its trailer suggested that it is a typical comedy film whose male lead has shades of grey. Does the entertainer live up to expectations? Here we tell you all in our review.
Story
Bhavani Prasad (Allari Naresh), whose parents died years ago, works for a Grameen Bank. His grandfather (Tanikella Bharani) assigns him the task of ensuring that the Goddess' idol at the local temple gets Her gold ornaments back. It was the grandfather who had sold them off in a dire situation. The hero now has to atone for the sin. What he does in achieving this is the crux of the story. He is helped by his colleague (Praveen) in the process and has to deal with a range of characters, including a greedy man played by Posani Krishna Murali and a tough cop (Ajay Ghosh).
Performances
Allari Naresh is dabbling in serious films like 'Naandhi' (yet to be released) and comedies at once. One feels he is bored of playing the same kind of roles over the years and, therefore, his comic timing looks dull in this film. Pooja Jhaveri, seen in 'Dwaraka' and other films, doesn't make an impact in the role of a village belle. Ajay Ghosh makes his presence felt. Posani Krishna Murali and Vennela Kishore are decent. Praveen is forgettable, while Prabhas Srinu and Sathyam Rajesh as gambling-addicts are hardly funny. Getup Srinu is routine, while Tagubothu Ramesh and Bhadram have insignificant parts.
Technical aspects
Sai Kartheek's music feels jaded. His songs are the musical version of garish sets, barring a duet in the first half. The remix of 'Swathilo Muthyamantha' was better not done in the first place. Satish Muthyala's cinematography passes muster.
Analysis
This film feels like a TV serial made with movie actors. Despite a dozen comedians in the course of its run-time, the hilarity is substandard.
Naresh's character faces several problems and he doesn't get to do much comedy. Director Giri Palika, who has written quite a few of Naresh's films in the past, seems to have readied the story and screenplay in the 2000s. He got the opportunity to make it after the hero ran out of all options, perhaps.
The second half is way too silly, with Getup Srinu's character doing silly antics in the avatar of a woman. The con jobs are outdated and they don't seem funny at all. The climax is yawn-inducing, with the emotions boring the audience to death.
Closing remarks
After flops like 'Selfie Raja', 'Intlo Deyyam Nakem Bhayam', 'Meda Meeda Abbayi' and 'Silly Fellows', Naresh has chosen one more ridiculous script that has no place for believability. With a weak storyline and dated comedy style, 'Bangaru Bullodu' is brain-dead, too.
