Billa review

Cinegola rating: ***__ Good (3 stars)

Cinegola points: 3 out of 5

Tagline: Trust no one…..Kill anyone….Be only one

Strengths: Prabhas, screenplay, direction and cinematography

Weaknesses: Namitha
My analysis:

Billa movie is a neat and stylish remake of Amithab Bachchan Don and Ajit Billa. Director Meher Ramesh took atmost care in making the movie so that the audience cannot remember any of the original versions while watching the movie. There are no twists or surprises in the movie because the story is already known to each and everyone but the director could hold everyone’s attention with his screenplay and direction.

Billa is a complete entertainer and will reach to the expectations of the audience of all classes. The movie has all the necessary elements to entertain A, B and C center audience. Though there are small directional faults here and there, the movie is never boring as both the 1st half and the 2nd half are filled with Prabhas style, Anushka body and Meher Ramesh direction skills.

Performances:

Prabhas as Billa has entered the league of stylish actors in telugu cinema. Billa movie will change Prabhas from an entirely mass actor to a class actor with mass touch. His height and his gait are the main plus points for Billa role. Prabhas as Billa has created such an impact that the auidience cannot imagine any other telugu hero in Billa role after watching Prabhas. His acting in the second role as Ranga is also good and is totally different from Billa role. Prabhas could show clear difference in both the roles.
After watching Anushka in Arundathi, it is a treat for the audience to watch her as Maya with scantily clad dressing. Her moto and motive in Billa movie is only to show her body. With this performance and exposing, Anushka is sending a message to all the film makers that she is ready for any kind of role.

The biggest let down of the movie is Namitha. She is 100% fat and 0% sexy. One cannot understand why Meher Ramesh selected her for the role of Billa lady love. One can also never understand why Billa has such a bad taste in girls (fat Namitha as girl friend) who is stylish in every other thing. Namitha is fat in the movie even after reducing 6 to 7 kilos. Her dressing is also equally bad. No dress of hers either suited her or her body.

Hansika did a guest role in Billa movie. She did a song which was not that hot when compared to the talk and hype it got while shooting.

Krishnam Raju did the role of a police officer. It is nice to see Krishnam Raju and Prabhas acting together in one movie. His performance in Billa movie was decent.
Supreet and Rehaman are adequate as bad men.

Subbaraju, Jayasudha and Kelly Dorje did guest roles in the movie.

Music by Mani Sharma is another plus point to the movie. His background score added the necessary punch to the movie.

Cinematography by Sounder Rajan is excellent. He shot the movie in very exotic locations of Malaysia. His technique of shooting and colour grading are exceptinally well and added grace to this stylish film.

Screenplay and direction are by Meher Ramesh and he should be praised for his directional talent. Though the movie is a remake of a superhit hindi movie, he showed it to the audience in a new and stylish way. The way Meher narrated the story on screen is good and the way he made it gripping and intresting is great.
Story:

Billa (Prabhas) with his gang Ranjith (Supreet), Ramesh (Subbaraju), Lisa (Namitha) etc is an international smuggler with base in Malaysia who is wanted by 11 counties. ACP Krishna Murthy (Krishnam Raju) from India is incharge of catching Billa. In one Police Billa chase, Billa gets killed and this is known only to Krishna Murthy. He trains Ranga (Prabhas) from Vizag and replaces him in place of Billa to know all the gang secrects and also catch Billa boss Devil (Rehaman). How Ranga enters the gang, wins the love of Maya (Anushka) and how he hands over Devil to Police forms the remaining part of the story.

Cast: Prabhas, Anushka, Namitha, Krishnam Raju, Rehaman, Supreet, Kelly Dorje, Ali, Jayasudha, Hansika Motwani(guest role), Subbaraju (guest role) and many more.

Banner: Gopi Krishna Movies Pvt Ltd

Cinematography: Sounder Rajan

Fights: Stun Siva

Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh

Art: AS Prakash

Music: Mani Sharma


Producer: Narendra and Prabodh

Dialogues, Screenplay and Direction: Meher Ramesh





Final Judgement: Hit

Drona review

TeluguSirulu rating: * __ Avoidable (1star) but if u want to see Priyamani then **___ Watchable (2 stars)

Tagline: Drona - tv serial ki ekkuva movie ki takkuva

Strengths: Hot and sexy Priyamani

Weaknesses: Story, screenplay and direction

Mistakes in the movie:

1. When Drona runs away from house they live in Vijayawada, but when he returns after 10 years the family lives in Vizag which is not explained. Even if we take it as transfer for Mukesh Rishi then how did Nitin know about the transfer who just returned from a far off island after 10 years.

2. How did an young kid of 10 years know about loading and unloading of police revolver or gun.

3. Police Officer Mukesh Rishi sitting at home and watching tv when shops in his city are being robbed.

4. Kelly Dorge leaving Nitin’s mother when they are searching for him and see him in Vizag. They could have used her inorder to catch Nitin.

5. Nitin and his friend hide all the jewelery in an unknown island but in the climax the villans take his friend to a place in Vizag inorder to get back the jewels.

6. The big den of villan on the island not being identified by Police for 10 long years.

7. Nitin and 2 of his friends rob the most famous Nizam jewellery in a highly sofistigated manner but are never given training on any electronic gadgets.

8. During the robbery, Nitin passes through one of the laser rays but neither it effects Nitin nor it rings any alaram though his friend who is guiding him shouts “oh no”.

9. Nitin entry fight in the movie is more like a video game than a fight.

10. Seetha who suffers from joint pains runs like hell when she and her son are chased by villans.

Entertainment in the movie:

Venu Madhav taking the get up of Pasupathi (Sonu Sood) of Arundhathi movie and making a spoof of the movie like he did the spoof of Aparichithudu movie in Chatrapathi movie. He also re-lives the role of ‘Nalla Balu’ which he did in Sye movie.




My analysis: Drona movie is a complete waste of time. It doesn’t have neither a proper story nor screenplay nor direction. Drona on the whole is more like a tv serial where the story doesn’t move much even after lot of episodes.

Drona has lot of emotional scenes which are overacted by the actors and which doesn’t create any emotion in the audience. Drona also has a lot of action scenes which are filled with unnecessary graphics. Finally Drona movie is tv serial ki ekkuva movie ki takkuva.

Director Karuna Kumar thanked his guru SS Rajamouli for his direction training in the begining of this movie. He also named the movie Drona making himself as Arjuna and SS Rajamouli as Dronacharya who made Arjuna the greatest warrior in Indian mythology. If Karuna Kumar is Arjuna and Rajamouli is Drona then Drona movie is a very very bad dedication to the great director teacher who changed heroes to stars and who also doesn’t have any flops till now in his career.

Story: Meenakshi (Sita) and police officer Manohar (Mukesh Rishi) has a 10 year old son Drona whom they love to the maximum. Due to a small mis-understanding between father and son, young Drona runs away from home. He comes back to them after 10 years as grown up Drona (Nitin) after robbing the Nizam’s jewels in Mysore. He doesn’t reveal to them that he is their son until Priyamani who loves Drona tells them. Why didn’t he tell his true identity to his parents, what did he do in the last 10 years and why did he rob the jewellery forms the remaining part of the story.

Cast: Nitin, Priyamani, Mukesh Rishi, Sita, Kelly Dorje, Siva Prasad, Rakhi Sawanth, Sunil, Venu Madhav and many more

Banner: Sai Krishna Productions

Music: Anoop Rubens

Editing: Gowtham Raju

Dialogues: Harsha Vardhan

Producer: DS Rao

Story, Screenplay and Direction: J Karuna Kumar

Final Judgement: Below Average

'KIKK' Review: Subtle Narration With Little Comedy

Film: Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam
Rating: 3/5
Banner: Laxmi Narasimha Productions
Cast: Siddartha, Tamanna, Praash Raj,. TRamya Krishna, Venu Madhav, Brahmanandam, Nazar, Hema and others
Music: Shankar Ehasaan Loy
Cinematogrpahy: Vijay K Chander
Art: Chinna
Dialogues: Abburi Ravi
Screenplay: Deepak Raj
Editing: Srikar Prasad
Background score: Mani Sharma
Producer: Nallamalupu Bujji
Story, Direction: Kishore Kumar

Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam, being called with pet title 'KIKK' has released today. The film has followed a typical muhurath by releasing at 1:01 PM instead of hitting screens at regular 11 AM show. Let us see how far that muhurath worked well with this movie and what the content is.

Story:



Geeta (Tamanna) is the daughter of a big man named Subrahmanyam (Nazar) in a village. She holds great love and affection for her father. And she happens to come to city for studying in a college. She stays with Gachibowli Diwakar and his wife (Brahmanandam and Hema). She develops good rapport with Prof Rajya Lakshmi (Ramya Krishna) in her college. Siddhu (Siddarth) is the son of Prof Rajya Lakshmi who leads the life of a play boy. Siddhu lives only with his mother for many years and his father Prakash Varma (Prakash Raj) lives abroad and earns big fame and money. He returns and the son Siddhu goes close to him. The friendship between son and father stands unique and strong. Siddhu loves Geeta as a routine treat in any film. But Subrahmanyam puts a condition that he would allow his daughter to marry Siddhu only when the parents of Siddhu are united. Then the real game starts for both Siddhu and Geeta to unite the separated couple. Whether they turned successful in that attempt becomes rest of the story.

Performances:
The film grooved in all major artistes and there is nothing less to speak about them.

Siddartha with his unique style of performance enticed again. Tamanna looked with lot of grace and beauty and has really stolen the show with her looks and expressions. She can stand as Madhuri Dixit in Tollywood if polished her performance and dance in a better way. She is gifted with elegance in screen presence.

Ramya Krishna is ok but she would have given own dubbing for her character. The voice used for her hasn't suited. Being a senior actress, she should at least try to use her own voice inspiring from young artistes like Mamata Mohandas.

Prakash Raj did his best in fatherly role and it is completely different from what he has shown in Bommarillu.

Music stands on the top of all faculties. All the songs received great applause in theatre. It is true that songs could pull the narration of this flick in interesting way. The screenplay is slow and there are some hiccups in editing. The cinematography is marvelous and the film teaches a lesson how the mood can be elevated while picturing songs. Dialogues by Abburi Ravi are good and interesting.

Direction is good but still needs to be gripping. On a whole seriousness and sentiment dominated. Comedy by Brahmanandam hasn't given the punch that has promised at the introduction of his role.

Analysis:
The film is an out and out family entertainer and the main essence is how a young couple attempts to unite a separated old couple for making their love win and take to the altar of marriage. The theme is in fact interesting. The initial few minutes during titles recall the film 'Sangamam' but later things proved to be unique.

First half sounded average while the later half in second part sounded racy and better. On a whole it has got the class-content and teaches a moral 'keep only love and shun anger from relationships'. That's good attempt which deserves a mention.

One really wishes that separating couples just with mere ego would learn lesson from this film.

'Arundhati' Review: Wonderful Technical Extravaganza

Film: Arundhati
Rating: 3.75/5
Banner: Mallemala Entertainments
Cast: Anushka, Sonu Sood, Sayaji Shinde, Manorama, Satyanarayana, Deepak, Subhashini, Ahuti Prasad, Chalapathi Rao, Annapoorna and others
Music: Koti
Cinematography: K K Senthil Kumar
Graphics: Rahul K Nambiar
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh
Director: Kodi Ramakrishna
Producer: D Shyamprasad Reddy
Release date: 16/01/2009

The proposed Sankranthi release happened after the festival days. The expectations on the film are on top and let us see how it tuned. The clash between good and evil has been the law of the universe but what happens when an obsession turns dangerous and the will to seek revenge brings out the demons. Something like that happens here and who wins in the end, we will know more details.

Story



Arundhati (Anushka) is engaged to Rahul (Deepak) and is on her way to get married in Hyderabad but far away in Gadwal in an abandoned and ruined castle lies a scary and fearsome voice waiting to come out and take revenge on her.

It is endowed with evil powers and is successful in getting Arundhati to Gadwal, the truth is Arundhati is a descendant of a royal family and her ancestor is Jejamma (Anushka again) who strikes a death blow to her brother in law (Sonu Sood) who is an avid womanizer, rapist and murderer. He survives with the will to seek revenge and learns all the dark magics under Aghora Sadhus, he comes back to take revenge on Arundhati and his lust for her makes him even more dangerous. However, Arundhati is not willing to believe that she is Jejamma but she has no choice since the villain is set free finally and he comes to enjoy her.

In her attempt to thwart him, Arundhati is assisted strongly by the Muslim fakir Anwar (Sayaji Shinde) but then her fear inside gives way. Who gets successful, Arundhati or the villain? Watch the movie to find out.

Performance
Anushka is a total revelation in this one, she has shown once for all to all the critics that it is not just a voluptuous body that she has but a whole range of emotions and expressions to call her a true actress. Few angles of her are wonderful and spellbound. It's a great image make over for her.

Sayaji Shinde was a rocket booster and he has been full of zest and energy in this movie. His scenes are all powerful.

Sonu Sood was dark and evil and his performance was delectable as the evil sorcerer and the black magician.

Manorama provided the matured presence along with Satyanarayana while Ahuti Prasad, Chalapathi Rao, Annapoorna and others have justified their roles.

Deepak did not have much to do in this one, Subhashini was absolutely scary.

The graphics team needs a very special commendation here since they have come out with a really Hollywood style of creation. The script was very well under the grip, screenplay was brilliantly executed. Music really added up to the moods and the cinematography was the life and soul for the film with its angles and captures. Costumes were excellent and editing was sharp.

The other departments contributed effectively to create the required difference. Director has shown his brilliance and experience in handling a one line story into a total two hour plus treat without much idle moments.

Analysis
While the film is a complete socio fantasy genre and it revolves completely around evil spirits and scary saints, one needs to look at it as a film only and not try and reason with the logic.

The content part is less but then it is the presentation and the performance that really made up for any shortcomings. The team has come up with a much enhanced and more impressive graphical treat after 'Ammoru' and this time; the horror aspect was quite high.

The amount of blood shown on the screen could have been reduced but then the seriousness and intensity is so high that everything looks convincing for that frame. The film lacks comedy or any mass elements but then, it has a rich presentation and the grandeur of its style and speed is worthy to be called a super hit. It appears that the Sankranti drought has finally been fulfilled with an exceptional visual treat. Don't miss it!!!

And it's a suggestion for weak hearts to keep away from horror shocks.

Ghajini Review

Movie Review: Ghajini
Star Cast: Aamir Khan, Asin, Jiah Khan, Pradeep Rawat, Khalid Siddiqui and others;
Director: A.R. Murugadoss;
Rating: ****

Ghajini is an suspense thriller from A.R.Murugadoss who has made popular films of this genre. Ghajini being a remake of a Tamil film. The tamil version of film had Surya and Asin in the lead.

Ghajini is, indubitably, Aamir Khan’s most awaited project till date and he has done a great job in promoting the movie till now. The movie has Aamir Khan in the lead role and Asin plays his love interest.

The story of ‘Ghajini’ is a revenge saga, one ingredient that has been the staple diet of Hindi films in Bollywood since time immemorial. It is, apparently, a powerful film. It has the power to sweep you off your feet from the word ‘go’. It has a riveting story, which has been told with flourish by director A.R. Murugadoss.

The director has succeeded to keep up the suspense throughout the film. The narration goes back and forth several times, before the protagonist looses his memory and after. The script written by the director himself helps to keep up the suspense intact. Good action, and good songs by A.R Rahman and the background score is really noteworthy.

Aamir Khan has done a wonderful job. Be it the bold, energetic business magnate or the wild chaser Aamir has stolen the show. Asin seems full of energy. The two seem to make a real good pair.

Ghajini is a must watch for an Aamir Khan fan and a fulltu paisa vasool movie for a Bollyowod buff.

'King' Review: Wholesome Entertainer

Film: King
Rating: 3.25/5
Banner: Kamakshi Kala Movies
Cast: Nagarjuna, Trisha, Mamta Mohandas, Srihari, Brahmanandam, Jayaprakash Reddy, Arjan Bajwa, Sayaji Shinde, Krishna Bhagawan, Geetha, Dharmavarapu, Chandramohan etc
Music: Devisri Prasad
Story: Kona Venkat, Gopi Mohan
Art: AS Prakash
Editing: MR Varma
Cinematography: Prasad Moorella
Screenplay,Direction: Srinu Vaitla
Producer: Sivaprasad Reddy
Release date: 25th Dec 2008

The last big movie of the year 2008 arrived today. The expectations have been big on this film for several reasons. The most vital factor that boosted up expectations is the direction by Srinu Vaitla who made big hit 'Ready' this year. Let us see how far the film reached expectations.

Story:
King alias Chandra Pratap Varma (Nag) is the son of Raja Varma (Sobhan Babu). He becomes the heir of a large estate fatre the death of his father, where his uncles and aunts also live with him along with mother (Geeta). King faces a peril in the form of Swapna (Mamata Mohandas). That stands up to be a suspense element in the narration. Who is Swapna and why she becomes a danger point for King? What happens to King?

On the other hand Sravani (Trisha), an aspiring singer catches the eye of a guy whose name is Bottu Seenu (Nag), a goonda. What's the link between Bottu Seenu and King? That forms another layer in the film.

And last but not least, Sravani falls in love with a software engineer Sridhar (Nagarjuna). Is there any link between Sridhar, Bottu Seenu and King other than the similarities in looks? That's another layer all together.

'Gnan anna' aka Gnaneshwar (Srihari) portrayed the role of Sravani's brother.

Rest to be watched on screen to unleash this knot.

Performances:
Nagarjuna's magnitude is seen fully on silver screen. His grace pulled the attention of entire audiences. It sounds a wonder to know he is 50 now. There are no signs of that age on his face or body and he is looking 20 years younger to what actually the time claims. His performance in three different shades is hilarious and entertaining. He left his starry airs aside and performed up to the role as demanded (like getting bruises from Brahmanandam). That should inspire many younger heroes as well. And coming to dances, he has performed in his trade mark style.

Trisha is with full of elegance and the credit should be given to costume designer and cinematographer. She hasn't exposed anything big but touched the senses of audiences.

Mamata Mohandas looked voluptuous and witch-like as per the demand of the role. She once again proved her mettle as complete artiste with own voice for dubbing.

And coming to the most publicized eight-heroine song, except Genelia everybody looked hot (Anushka), romantic (Trisha), lovely (Priyamani), refined (Kamna), sexy (Mamata Mohandas), spicy (Sneha Ullal) and chubby (Charmy). The costumes used for Genelia are inferior when compared to others in that song. That made the difference.

Brahmanandam once again tickled the audiences with his role as music director Jaya Surya. He has been the vital factor in Srinu Vaitla's films since 'Dhee'.

Master Bharat also brought laughs with his role but that is not in the length of his role in 'Ready'. He justified in a small role in this film.

Jayaprakash Reddy also made his presence well with his Rayalseema style of dialogues. Sayaji Shinde and Krishna Bhagawan also portrayed in their trade mark style on negative side.

Sri Hari deserves very good mention in this flick. He worked really well as supporting artiste. He portrayed action and comedy in right doses. His hilarious role will be remembered as Painter Gnaneshwar for sure.

Coming to technical aspects, cinematography by Moorella Prasad is fantastic. The costume designer also deserves great mention. And the story writers Kona Venkat and Gopi Mohan once again grooved in their names for the characters of Sayaji Shinde and Krishna Bhagawan, like they did with their earlier films.

All in all, this Srinu Vaitla's show although inspired from different films (Chandramukhi, Chandralekha, Shankaradada Zindabad etc….), stands to be unique and a wholesome family entertainer.

Analysis:
The movie takes different twists and turns but no where strains the audiences. A laugh is promised at every 10 minutes on an average. Although the length of the movie seems to be long in second half, audiences don't get bored. Even the songs made the audiences sit in theaters by the blend of their right music and interesting choreography as well as costumes.

First half runs with ample humor while second half too does the same with added comedy.

Many films start rolling on mind's screen while watching this flick and that should be understood as parody-like inspiration by the director.


Interesting Comedy Tracks:
Srihari's painting episodes
Brahmanandam-Trisha casting couch
TV Show with Brahmanandam
Nagarjuna's Chandralekha and Chandramukhi parody

Best Scenes:
Bullet scene (although inspired from Hollywood flick 'Wanted')
Action sequences

It's a wholesome entertainer from Srinu Vaitla but here is one suggestion for him. He should change the style by not incorporating similar elements like that of his 'Ready' and 'Dhee'. There is risk as people may get bored watching similar comedy tracks again and again. The movie undoubtedly appeals for masses and entertains families.