The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Dealing with mysteries of life film review

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 02, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Dealing with mysteries of life film review

Vishnuvardhan and Nagarjuna in Krishnarjuna.

Film: Krishnaarjuna

Cast: Vishnuvardhan, Nagarjuna, Mamta Mohandas

Direction: P. Vasu

Mysteries of life, death and fate are bound to evoke curiosity among human beings. The presence of god or the belief that a super power guides humans to their destiny has been a never ending dilemma. And this curiosity and dilemma have enthused filmmakers, particularly in the South. Such films have caught the attention of the audience though their success or failure depended on several factors.

Chandramukhi of that genre turned out to be one of the biggest blockbusters in the recent years and Krishnaarjuna deals with a similar theme of mysteries of life that seldom have answers and leave scope for discussion.

The film opens with Vishnuvardhan taking birth inside the sanctum sanctorum of a temple and the villagers closing it citing bad omen. The story ends with Vishnu opening the temple again. The script is not gripping, yet it has its own elements that interest the audience.

The first half revolves around Vishnu and the family he grows up with including the heroine Mamta Mohandas. It lacks the pace and is used mostly to fill in a few songs and comedy bits.

The entry of Nagarjuna as Lord Krishna and the way he guides Vishnu to take on the world using positive energies of life ensures that the film is back on track. Their interaction focuses on the reality of death and yet how beautiful life can be lived. And that even god fears to alter the fate. Despite the prominence given to beliefs the script thankfully ensures that they don’t dominate the viewer’s minds.

P. Vasu of Chandramukhi fame, who directed this film, treats Nagarjuna’s role bit differently. Nag as Lord Krishna doesn’t resemble the mythological character donning jewellery and resplendent dresses but appears in various forms, like any normal human being, when the hero is in need. Vasu is refreshing that way and it is appealing. But he utterly fails in treating the comic track. Brahmanandam as an astrologer and Sunil, M.S. Narayana and Venu Madhav are actually an embarrassment. Mohan Babu’s role should have ended when he blesses the newborn in the temple. His appearance in the climax doesn’t gel with the script.

Keeravani’s music is ear-shattering . The only hummable number is the remix of ‘Yama Ranju Meeda Undi Punju’, the old hit from Mohan Babu’s ‘Rowdigaari Pellam.’ Vishnu, like his father has the timing for comedy but the script doesn’t exploit it. Nagarjuna is uncomplicated and effective and makes all the difference to the film. It’s a different film but could have been much better.

—R. RAVIKANTH REDDY

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh