The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Definitely not a festival flick Film Review

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Definitely not a festival flick Film Review

Sparks fail to fly: Vinay and Meera Chopra, the lead pair of ‘Vaana’

Film: Vaana

Cast: Vinay, Meera Chopra

Direction: M.S. Raju

The first thing to remember while watching ‘Vaana’ is that it is a parable.

The film, a remake of the Kannada hit ‘Mungara Male’ is directed by producer M.S. Raju. Clichéd theme and script structure aside, Raju displays talent in forming and managing an ensemble cast. He also owes a debt to cinematographer Sh ekar V. Joseph and music composer Kamalakar for shaping the film’s tone and shifting moods.

Fine performances and sharp cinematography, however, can’t compensate for either a script peppered with contrivances and heavy-handed direction.

The film begins and travels smoothly but the climax, which is supposed to arouse empathy ends on a comical note with Ajay, whose introduction begins with a bang, ends tamely.

Directing a remake movie is also an art and M.S. Raju shows his skill but never quite finishes the journey.

Vinay chips in an okay performance, he needs to work more on his expressions. Meera Chopra hasn’t graduated despite working in a couple of Telugu films and sparks don’t fly between the lead pair.

These days comedians are playing a very vital role in contributing to the success of a film and here too M.S. Narayana, Dharmavarapu Subramanyam provide comic relief and there is double entendre as well.

‘Vaana’ drags and bores you in the second half. Jayasudha and Seeta look charming and Sumant bloated. Wonder what purpose Prabhudeva and Sunil served in one of the songs and Sumant talking about his bullet injuries is hilarious.

An animal or a bird is mandatory in love stories and this time there is a rabbit, which is aptly named Devdas, hinting the film will end on a morose note.

Dialogues towards the climax are archaic and there is little hope that people these days would be inclined to take such messages home.

The film waxes like the moon in the first half and wanes post interval and about the rain it’s sparse and sporadic like the content. Definitely not a festival fare.

Y. SUNITA CHOWDHARY

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