..:: Cine Chamber ::..

Megastar Chiranjeevi's proposed political party name is almost confirmed- It is Swayam Krushi- Megastar Swayam Krushi thi paiki vachchinavaadu and it is also the title of his film with K Viswanath. Party Symbol is likely to be ‘two eyes’. This may not be the election symbol. Megastar who is running a trust of eye donations has selected this symbol- Megastar believes in – Sarvendriyanam Nayanam Pradhanam’ . Megastar is likely to announce his party for Telugu New year Ugadi-the lucky day for Megastar as for the astrologers.

Many people from chiranjeevi's caste are already claiming to be joining his party and also spreading rumours that they have already reserved assembly tickets for 2009 elections from their native places. Chiru’s Swayamkrushi Rail is yet to come on to the platform, but as for a source many state leaders are reserving their berth in Chiru’s train.

This highly sensationalized film of Nandamuri Balakrishna in the direction of NTR's ardent fan YVS Chowdary has not touched the expected levels even in the least. It was almost planted in the mind of everybody that Okka Magaadu would decide the state politics after its release. Silly graphics, non-serious getups of Balakrishna, confused first half, monotonous screenplay and mediocre direction is all about Okka Magaadu.

Synopsis

Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Prasad alias Ramu (Balakrishna) is almost the God for the villagers of Venkatapuram. They hail him as Devadideva. Ramu tells them that he is just an ordinary human being. He is their savior. Even the government and law are afraid to touch him. One day, he performs the marriage of two lovers, the bridegroom being the son of villainous chief minister (Asutosh Rana). Simultaneously, an old man takes on the role of Punisher of the Corrupt. By decoding certain features from the old man, the police sketch points to Ramu as the killer. During interrogation of Ramu, the old man comes and reveals that he is the killer. He also reveals that he was the Okka Magaadu, the erstwhile Raghupati Raghava Rajaram (Balakrishna), who waged a stern fight against the British in the 1940s. The enmity between the old man and the CM intensifies. Who exactly is this old man? Why does he kill the baddies sixty years after the Independence? Did he really kill? These are the questions which give twists and counter twists.

Performance

Balakrishna did the dual roles of grandson (Ramu) and grandpa (Okka Magaadu) with superb justification. However, the characterization of Okka Magaadu gives a feel that it is out and out a direct lift of Kamal Hassan's in Bharateeyudu. Apart from this, Okka Magaadu often makes a stretched out laugh – Aaah… Aah. Aah…. Exactly, say two hundred percent like Rajnikanth in the film Sivaji. Coming to Ramu characterization, it is more like Balakrishna's ramp in most songs and stylish scenes. But one thing is sure; YVS Chowdary presented NBK as a very handsome hero in this film. There is no technical perfection in the Bharateeyudu-like Okka Magaadu getup and the makeup for it.

Coming to female leads, Nisha Kothari and Anushka have given sumptuous oomph. One hundred percent, they have no roles to play, but to tease the hero. While Nisha Kothari, appearing as a TV reporter, continuously pesters NBK to marry him. The same thing is done by Anushka. Both the girls competed with each other in shaking their hips to their fullest energy. Simran has good footage in the film as the wife of Okka Magaadu. She has lengthy dialogues, performance and sentiment attached to her characterization. Again, Simran's getup as a old lady is not convincing. The makeup is gaudy.

Ashutosh Rana played the chief minister. Without establishing his villainy, the director is desperate to establish him as the villain. His villainy gets funny often. In one scene, the chief minister comes to the hospital without shirt and trouser – just wearing the underwear! Ridiculous attempt by YVS Chowdary, which requires to be censured.

Technical Details

There is nothing novel in the story of YVS Chowdary. A big minus point is that he tried to present Bharateeyudu in a more stylized manner. The characterization of Balakrishna as Okka Magaadu (old man's role) is partially influenced by Rajnikanth's climax role in Sivaji. The flashback dating back to 1940 and its synchronization in 21 st century is a big flaw.

Screenplay is monotonous. However, YVS should deserve praise for maintaining the suspense about the dual roles of Balakrishna till the point it is revealed. Direction is mediocre and at times turned funny.

The introduction song and NBK's duet with Simran are interesting. A couple of songs with the hero shaking legs with Nisha Kothari and Anushka are a good watch. The last song with remixed lyrics from NTR's oldies is a let down, in spite of profuse hip shakes by the heroines. Music by Mani Sharma is a saving grace.

Dialogues department requires special mention. NBK's lengthy dialogue against caste feeling is a good one. Some more: Nenu kottadam modalu pettanante aapadam undadhu…Mamooluga kodithe chachhetatlu kodatha, baadhaga unnapudu kodithe, chasthoo bathikela kodatha.

Stunts: Both the Sr. and Jr.Balarkrishna in the film kick the baddies black and blue. While the senior uses a Chinese blade, it is just fists and kicks from the junior. Imagine an 85-year-old Okka Magaadu jumping from a 20 story building and escaping. Also imagine the same man hijacking the plane with baddies and getting it crashed to a mountain. While all die, the One and Only is alive, comes down the mountain without a scratch to unite with his wife.

There is no scene in which you have comedy worth to tickle your ribs.

Verdict:

The movie is opened to a poor talk. It's major plus point is one and only Balakrishna.