'Hare Ram' Review: Good For Technical Efforts

Film: Hare Ram Rating: 3/5 Banner: Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Arts Cast:  Kalyan Ram, Priya Mani, Sindhu Thulani, Kota, Raghu Babu, Laxmipathi, Brahmanandam, Ali, Venu Madhav, Apoorva etc Music: Micky J Mayor Dialogues: Swamiji-Vijay Story: Gowri Shankar Art: Vivek Editing: Gowtham Raju Cinematography: C Ram Prasad Stunts: Ram-Laxman, Selva Director: Harsha Vardhan Producer: Nandamuri Kalyan Ram Release Date: 18 July 2008 This is Kalyan Ram's second movie on his home banner. His efforts are seen in big way. He tried to showcase his acting prowess as spilt personality. Let us see how he carried his idea on celluloid. Story: The film is about an IPS officer Hari (Kalyanram) who is busy investigating the murders of a news reporter (Prabhakar) and then a well known doctor (Rajeev Kanakala) and then discovers that these are the murders done by his conjugal twin Ram (Kalyanram). The story goes that Ram has a problem with his brain and is unable to control his hyper emotions about few things which makes him a beast at times. He would not even hesitate to kill and does not like anyone being praised or belittling him. In this process, he builds a grudge against his own brother who is good at everything and tries to kill him right during their childhood. Their mother (Seetha) is unable to tolerate all this and takes it upon herself to change Ram, so she takes him away from Hari to avoid further hatred but then not much change happens in the nature of Ram even after they grow up. Meanwhile, Hari is often chased by Anjali (Priyamani) who poses as a bank employee but in truth she is actually a CBI officer who comes to arrest Hari since she suspects his hand in the killings of a news reporter (Prabhakar) and a well known doctor (Rajeev Kanakala). Apparently, the doctor happens to be the younger brother of the health minister Siva Reddy (Kota) and from then on the minister is closely on the heels of the killer. Anjali finally manages to arrest Hari successfully through a plan of hers and soon she realizes her folly when she chances upon his mother and understands the entire story of Hari and Ram. Why does Ram commit the two murders? Does he change his attitude towards his brother? Can Ram get out of the case smoothly? All this forms the rest of the story.  Performance:  Kalyanram has put his heart and soul to come up with a good performance and though he was nice in most of the scenes, he failed out during the intense scenes which required good depiction of emotions and expressions, his dialogue delivery is ok. He portrayed good histrionics in the role of Ram. Priyamani worked well on screen as a 'Glamour girl'. Kota was the apt choice for the corrupt politician but there was not much gravity to his role. Seetha did her role effectively as the unlucky mother, the comedy track was an utter disappointment and despite the presence of highly experienced and entertaining actors like Brahmanandam, Ali, Raghu Babu and Venu Madhav, nothing happened to the funny bones. Ashok Kumar was hysterical which was annoying. The others were okay with their performances but could not contribute much to the film. The director has shown his amateur approach and though the idea was clear in his mind, he messed up narration with some shoddy screenplay and sour dialogues. The saving grace of the film is some good background score and worthy songs along with top notch camerawork and well executed stunt scenes though the fight sequences were quite savage. Costumes were good on the lead pair and editing was alright.  Censor Act: One does not understand what was the need of muting surnames like 'Reddy' and  words like 'Maoists' and there were quite a few loopholes in few scenes which will take ages to debate. Why censor board is keen on those elements is not known. And kicking on groins and squeezing the penis region in fights are not censored. The board left those scenes and gave 'A' certificate-justified that way may be.

'Ready' Review: Full Length Entertainer

Ready - Review Srinu Vaitla is back with yet another clean family entertainer that will keep you entertained for 2hrs 40+ mins. Story might not be novel but it is the screenplay and fast paced narration that makes it an entertaining fare. In addition, good chemistry between the lead pair, decent performances from the entire cast, fitting background score by Devisri, slick editing, excellent action sequences all add up as positives to the film. Srinu Vaitla seems to have refined his own script of hero winning the girl by entering her house and that too stealing her from under the nose of her own relatives who are planning her marriage with someone else. That is pretty much the story. There are several such plots in the past. But in Ready, the backdrop moves to two factionist brothers (Kota and Jayaprakash Reddy) who are bitter foes. They want their niece Pooja (Genelia) to be married to their son and the struggle continues. Meanwhile, with an unexpected turn of events, Chandu alias Danayya (Ram) and Pooja fall in love. Now, instead of eloping, Chandu decides to get married with the blessings of all the families. How he achieved should be seen on screen. Some of the films with such plot proved in the past that it is a tough script to narrate the story once the hero enters the household of the heroine. The director has to keep the audience glued for more than 1hr with convincing sequences of hero pranks trying to cornor those in the household. However, it is here that Srinu Vaitla is refining his script and succeeds with a good narration by interleaving good amount of emotions, love and comedy. Instead of a fight or stealing the heroine, hero prefers to change the people who are being self-centered.  Performances wise, Ram is excellent in his role. His dances, action and dialog timing are very good. He looked very good in his getup. His Krish getup is very impressive and he looked great. Genelia fits the slot right opposite Ram and the chemistry works good between them. Kota, Jayaprakash Reddy, Nazar, Sunil, Dharmavarapu, Brahmanandam, MS Narayana, Giri, Thanikella Bharani, Sudha, Suman Shetty, Srinivas Reddy, Supreeth, Chandramohan, Rajita etc played their roles well. Srinu Vaitla took care in etching out each character. Nazar, Thanikella Bharani, Giri, Sudha play the family of Chandu while Kota, Jayaprakash Reddy, Bharat, Shafi play the family of Genelia. Kota and Jayaprakash Reddy showed good villainy and because of the characterizations, the transformations seemed convincing. Film starts at an average pace. By the time second song is done, the film picks up with pace and continues with the tempo till the end of the film. As expected, Srinu Vaitla yet again utilizes Brahmanandam to good extent as Mc Dowl Murthy. Brahmanandam and Ram sequences came out hillarious. Then there is Dharmavarapu also as Santosh alias Happy Reddy. Even though it is only few scenes he is there, he did the job right. Sunil's role stands on the line, a step here and there. But the editing of the song Thakita Thadhimi song with Sunil is very good. Songs are good. Mera Sajana song stands out both in music and picturization. Devisri Prasad gave good music and excellent re-recording work. Action sequences composed by Peter Haines stand out. There are only three fight sequences and all of them are good. Especially the climax fight with Shafti and Supreeth is very good. (Peter Haines can continue in the industry as he challenged that he would quit if these action episodes did not impress the audience . Dialogs penned by Kona venkat and Gopi Mohan are good and bring in good humor.  The film has a very rich look. The budget went more than 10 crores is what is heard. But every rupee of that is seen on the screen; be it costumes, sets, locations etc. Tamanna and Navadeep appear in very short and impressive roles. Overall, the film good entertainer. Even though the film show signs of Dhee, Ninne Pelladatha or Bommarillu, the feel is very fresh. Clean comedy without any double entendres or vulgarity is applaudable. Bottomline, Ready..Dhenikaina surely is a good family entertainer by Sravanthi Films banner and Srinu Vaitla. Go for it. Positives: 1. Clean film - no violence, no vulgarity 2. Ram's performance, Ram - Genelia sequences 3. Brahmanandam, Dharmavarapu Subramanyam 4. Fast paced narration 5. Good action sequences Negatives: 1. Nothing new in the story 2. A little lag in the first 20 minutes

'Dasavatharam Review'

Story: 12th century.. When Saivite intolerance against Vaishnavites was at its peak, An ardent Vishnu devotee Rangaraja Nambi (Kamal Haasan) loses his life when he attempt to stop the Saivite King's act of throwing away Lord Rangantha's idol into the Sea. Cut to 21st century.. USA based bio-scientist Govind (Kamal Haasan) is part of the team that produces bio-weapon.His boss sells the deadly virus developed for anti-social elements.Govind sensing the dangers of the weapon, which could potentially kill people instantly in a vast number, steals the sample weapon to destroy it. The Weapon vial is accidentally transported to India.Govind& the assasin Christian Fletcher(Kamal Haasan) come searching for the vial to India.In the course of the hunt for the missing vial, Kamal takes on 7 other characters . Highlights: As an actor,Kamal Haasan should be commended for his excellent effort to portray 10 different charecters(Rangaraja Nambi,Scientist Govind,George Bush,Raw office Balaram Nadar,Assassin Chris Fletcher,Pop Singer Avatar Singh,95 year old lady Krishnaveni,Activist Vincent,7foot tall Muslim& a Japanese Kung Fu master) but as a writer ( Story&Screenplay) he isn't impressive. Visual effects(Brian M. Jennings) are exellent,Especially the Rangaraja Nambi episode &Tsunami episode in the climax are simply superb. Makeup design(Michael Westmore) is very good,though it looked odd for some charecters. Music (Himesh Reshammiya) is just average.Background score (Devisri Prasad)is good. KS Ravikumar who directed Kamal's comedies Bhamane Satyabhamane, Tenali, Panchatantram is successful somewhat in creating some humourous episodes.But he failed to create a stellar experience audience expected from a movie with Kamal Haasan playing 10different roles. Sidelights: Asin looks pretty but her charecter is the most irritating part of the film.unbearable ! Kamal Haasan has a complicated idea that is too complex for common audience. and he tried to narrate it with some thrill,comedy&suspense providing enough scope for him to play 10charecters.But as a writer ,he failed miserably to deliver what audience expected from the movie. The movie is lengthy(3hours) and tests your patience most of the time.