'30 Rojullo Preminchadam Ela' today released in theatres after a delay of about 10 months. Since it is the debut movie of TV anchor Pradeep Machiraju, there has been a certain level of curiosity in the movie among a section of the audience. A rom-com directed by a newcomer, what does the film have in store? Is it worth a watch? Let's find out.
Story
Arjun (Pradeep Machiraju), an Engineering student, is crazy about kickboxing. He is irritated with his classmate Akshara (Amritha Aiyer), who equally dislikes him. They keep having petty fights. Early on, we are told that they were lovers in their previous births when they lived in pre-Independence India. Why do they hate each other so much in this life? How does the divine plan to make them fall in love? That's the crux of the story.
Performances
Pradeep gets to do comedy as well as do serious scenes. While he is so-so when it comes to evoking laughs, he is earnest in the emotional moments of the film. This one was supposed to be Amritha Aiyer's debut but since 'RED' released first, this is her second release. The actress looks adorable in the avatar of a villager. The college campus portions don't do her justice. In the second half, she looks better than Pradeep in terms of acting.
'Hyper' Aadhi (in a cameo) is boring, while Posani Krishna Murali, who plays a drunkard father, passes muster. Viva Harsha and Bhadram, as the male lead's friends, are hardly funny.
Technical aspects
Music by Anup Rubens is able for the most part. His song 'Neeli Neeli Aakasam', which has got more than 300 million views on the Internet, is well-placed in the scheme of the film. 'Idera Sneham' is another good song that fails as part of the film. The cinematography lacks imaginativeness.
Analysis
This film was supposed to be soulful. All that we get to watch is a spate of low-end comedy scenes. The college campus portions are replete with outdated fun moments.
There is no strong emotion behind the duels between the hero and heroine despite the fact that they have a backstory that dates back to their respective previous births. The interval was touted to be the turning point. What we get is simply nonsense in the name of divine intervention.
Had the second half been respectable, the film would have at least been half-decent. Even the most emotional moments are short of depth.
The climax is listless. It may not be predictable but it doesn't leave us rooting for the so-called lovers.
Closing Remarks
Debutant writer-director Phani Pradeep (Munna) fails to tell a gripping tale. In the name of comedy, what the film has to offer is a series of juvenile antics.
