Film: Vastadu Naa Raju
Cast: Vishnu Manchu, Tapsee, Prakash Raj, Sayaji Shinde, Brahmanandam, Ali, Jeeva, Tanikella Bharani, Ajay, Satyam Rajesh, Siva Reddy, Babloo, Tulasi, Surekha Vani, Satya Krishnan
Dialogues: Raja
Music: Mani Sharma
Cinematography: S Gopal Reddy
Editing: Gowtam Raju
Art: Raghu Kulakarni
Presented by: Mohan Babu
Producer: Vishnu Manchu
Story, screenplay, and directed by: Hemanth Madhukar
Release date: Feb 11, 2011
What’s it about
Venky (Vishnu) is a boxer and leads life happily. He accidentally meets Pooja (Tapsee), sister of a rowdy aspiring to become a politician Narasimha (Prakash Raj). Both Pooja and Venky frequently caught at various dos, which gives wrong assumption that they are lovers. Thinking that his sister’s in love with Venky, Narasinha attacks Venky’s family. Venky retaliates to this. Rest of the drama is all about conflict between Venky and Narasimha and real romance ensuing between Venky and Pooja.
Analysis
After debacle of Saleem, Manchu Vishnu turned producer with this film and took the job of saving his career. So he entrusted the job of directing to a newcomer Hemanth Madhukar, who has tried to play the safe game by focusing more on comedy.
Vastadu Naa Raju provides some hilarious moments thanks to Brahmanandam and some punch dialogues. The movie is neither a full entertainer nor does it completely disappoints you. It is okay movie. It has one novel point that both the hero and heroine actually doesn’t meet each other till the interval but everybody thinks that they are lovers. The director has cleverly narrated this point till the interval. But he suddenly drops off the anchor later.
Vastadu Naa Raju has glamorous Tapsee, some good comic dialogues, and rich visuals. That are its plus sides.
Performances
Vishnu has lost his weight drastically. He is looking different from his past films and he has given his sincere performance. He has also changed his modulation that sounds good. He still needs to improve in dances and performance, though. Tapsee is looking very glamorous in the movie, and her performance is also equally competent compared to her first film, Jhummandi Naadam.
Brahmanandam provides some good laughter. Prakash Raj is okay. Ajay has not much to do in the movie. In other characters, Ali, Shiva Reddy, Satyam Rajesh make their presence felt.
Debutant director Hemanth Madhukar has picked up right plot line but he doesn’t sustain the interest till the end. He loses track as the movie progresses towards the climax. That is main problem with the movie. Other wise, the film could have been a good entertainer. Songs by Manisharma are catchy. S Gopal Reddy has shot the film on Red Camera and the visuals are strikingly rich.
Bottom-line
Vastadu Naa Raju has interesting plot line and provides some good laughter but the movie lets you down as it progresses, especially climax sequences are big disappointment. Comedy and rich visuals are its strength.
Rating: 2.75/5