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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

A good time pass flick Film Review

A still from the picture ‘Dongala Bandi’

Film: Dongala Bandi

Cast: Naresh, Tanya

Direction: Satish Vegesna

This film has a beginning but doesn’t end. It is just a constant narration of a story of multiple groups of thieves. Three thieves Ali, M.S. Narayana and Venu Madhav have a parchment with them, which is a plan that shows the way to the looted treasure trunk .

In excitement the plan is torn into three pieces and each of them split and disappear, one of them even dies later while the rest become old, marry and move on with their grandchildren.

The third generation of thieves both men and women become professional con masters and are fighting for one-upmanship.

In this process Naresh falls for Tanya and a series of events unfold reuniting the families of Ali, M.S. Narayana and Venu Madhav. They resolve to unitedly hunt for the treasure trunk.

The second half of the film is about their travails in the journey and the funny, silly antics that the comedians come up with to beat fear.

The first one hour is quick, with crazy one-liners but post interval it drags a bit.

However the director has done a good job of throwing enough light on each of the comedians and keeps you entertained with the mindless jokes, repartees and situations.

Dongala Bandi succeeds in keeping Allari Naresh’s fans and comedy genre lovers faithfully entertained and involved. There are spoofs on actors by Naresh and also replicates Hrithik Roshan’s heist at a museum.

Certain situations in the film are predictable, have no logic but far from annoying, one can’t help but smile. Naresh, Tanya work well through this labyrinthine and so do the rest of the artistes. Kovai Sarala in her trademark style is loud, brash and plays sister to the heroine. Krishna Baghwan is a fellow traveller in train does justice for those brief moments.

Brahmanandam appears at the end of the film lending credibility to the comic yarn.

Songs prop up at regular intervals, technically bearable and a good time pass film.

Y. Sunita Chowdhary

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