'Alanaati Ramachandrudu', produced by Hyniva Creations' Hymavathi Jadapolu and Sreeram Jadapolu, was released in theatres today. In this section, let's analyze the latest BO release.
Plot:
Siddhu (newcomer Krishna Vamsi) falls in love with his classmate Dharani (Mokksha). For years, he struggles to confess his love to her owing to his introverted nature. Dharani, the super-choosy girl, doesn't even bother to acknowledge Siddhu's existence. Siddhu is heartbroken upon learning that Dharani has been in love with Vikram, a better-looking student leader from the same college.
Performances:
Debutant Krishna Vamsi comes across as a certain version of Ganesh Bellamkonda of 'Swathi Muthyam' fame. It is hard to say whether he is an inferior or a pro-max version of Ganesh. He is one-note, stripping many scenes of whatever soul they are capable of.
Mokksha is good-looking and is suited to play the role of a 'chilipi' college-goer. She is better when she is less talkative. In the second hour, she is required to over-talk, though.
Brahmaji is seen as a martyred jawan, Dharani's dead dad. Sudha gets to play Savitri, a chilled-out aunty who enjoys boozing with Siddhu and his sidekick. Venkatesh Kakumanu is seen as a college bully; none of his scenes are rib-tickling.
Technical aspects:
Cinematographer Prem Sagar's work is commendable. Many locations look better than what they are. The music by Sashank Tirupati attempts to be another 'Andala Rakshasi'-kinda output, minus the originality of Radhan's music. The film is a musical love story and therefore needed better tunes. Srikar's editing is not bad. Art Direction by Ravinder P is good.
Post-Mortem:
Directed by Chilukuri Akash Reddy and co-written by Srikanth Mandumula, 'Alanaati Ramachandrudu' feels like a joke of a storyline. Siddhu is so dumb that he could have been named Moddhu for better credibility. While his introverted nature is realistic, he messes up his life after a life-altering incident involving Dharani. The film enters the zone of a Maruthi movie or a movie made by some protege of director Sukumar in the second hour. If the film doesn't seem obviously farcical, that's because the treatment stays true to the obvious inspiration: Hanu Raghavapudi's 'Andala Rakshasi' (2012).
Dharani starts behaving like a kiddo in the second half. Perhaps, she is a child younger than before. Perhaps, it is just entertainment for the consumption of the audience. You couldn't care less, for the love story starts losing its appeal once Vikram's character is adorned with a convenient cliche.
Siddhu is monotonous and his thinking is vague. He takes chances with Dharani after a supposed heartbreak. Their conversations are juvenile, and be made to look subliminal by the montage songs.
The film enters the zone of a holiday-time story after a point. The lyrics refer to the Rama-Sita saga without a subtext or context. The treatment would have looked nuanced had it been released before 'Andala Rakshasi'.
By and by, Siddhu's long stares and endless mooning test your patience. He does it with practiced ease because he has been that way since his childhood. The elders in the film talk as though their self-image is that of 'matala mantriks'. For example, when an elder gifts Siddhu a camera, he goes on and on about its Kodak abilities. Then there are usual tropes like the female lead immersing herself in a music festival, because why not?
Everything in the film is a leap of faith. Romantic themes like Nature conspiring to help us are thrown around without story development. In a scene involving certain baddies, the otherwise timid Siddhu turns into a Bruce Lee for a brief moment. Perhaps, he had told the Five Elements of Nature beforehand about his instantaneous transformation?
Closing Remarks:
'Alanaati Ramachandrudu' tests your patience with its silly story. The music and the rich frames alone make it somewhat bearable.
