The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : ‘Realty’ bites in this convincing flick

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Saturday, Jun 28, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

‘Realty’ bites in this convincing flick

star power: Actors Nitin and Mamta Mohandas in the film ‘Victory’.

Film: Victory

Cast: Nitin, Mamta Mohandas

Direction: Ravi C. Kumar

Land prices show no signs of receding, land scams and mafia operations have reared their ugly heads in every city. Director Ravi C. Kumar touches a topical issue again after Samanyudu, this time he shows how the mafia buys land at rock bottom rates from gullible people, how signed documents are not registered, sold lands which are not in their names and corrupt government servants who have made bribery an order of the day. Nitin, Shashank and a few other youth form a group of vigilantes after they become victims of land mafia. The story begins on a not so interesting note throwing light on the characters, touching romance which looks inane and out of context for such a serious subject but eventually just before the interval it builds the tempo and drags one into it.

Ashutosh Rana and his bitter rival Supreet make it their goal to usurp all the prime land in the city and Supreet tries to use Nitin as a pawn to eliminate Rana. Nitin chalks out a strategy, outsmarts both of them with the help of media and police officials and heralds the victory over the system. The hero here is not only about brawn. His six pack doesn’t raise eyebrows but goes with the flow and keeps the audience glued with his role which is an ample mix of toughness and gentleness.

The premise is strong but the director falters on the narrative in the second half. This one is not as flamboyant as Samanyudu but it is dealt with a fair amount of conviction. Mamta Mohandas is a decorative doll and there is zilch chemistry between Nitin and her. Shashank and Ashutosh Rana add candour and credibility but the best part is from M. S. Narayana who appears here and there as a self righteous citizen who doesn’t take anything lying down. Ali keeps greasing the palms of the realtor-friendly clerk played by Brahmanandam who as usual gets his share of rabblerousing rhetoric and Sindu Tolani is a TV journalist who runs a home for the handicapped. The film is little formulaic but one can definitely watch it once.

Y. SUNITA CHOWDHARY

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