I never imagined in my life that I would be penning a review on a Telugu movie, but here I am doing the unthinkable and writing the unimaginable. If you too want to do the inconceivable (reading a review by me on a Telugu film), then go on and read my take on a new Telugu film recently released.
If left alone to myself I would probably have given this Telugu film a miss by a mile. I have nothing against Telugu films, I have a good grasp of the language which is popularly known as ‘Latin of the East’, and can speak fluently like a native Andhraite (reading and writing excepted). But I rarely watch films nowadays, and the very few that I watch, after great deliberation in each case, are mostly either English or Hindi.
In the present case there was no chance for deliberation, no chance for a lame excuse to opt out, I had to simply fall in line with all other colleagues who had booked the tickets for this film en bloc.
Sometimes, it gives us great satisfaction to be a part of an activity for the sake of our close friends, and that is exactly how I felt after watching this movie.
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Film: Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana
Cast: Siddartha, Trisha, Srihari, Veda, Santoshini, Nandita, Prakash Raj, Sunil, Tanikella Bharani, Giribabu, Parachuri Venkateshwara Rao, Geeta, Jayaprakash Reddy, Dharmavarapu Subbramanyam, Chandramohan, Narsingayadav, Narra Venkateshwara Rao, Abhishek, Raghubabu, Sana, Pavala Shyamala, Master Nandu
Music: Devisri Prasad
Lyrics: Seetarama Sastry
Cinematography: Venugopal
Story: Veeru Potla
Dialogues: Parachoori Brothers
Produced by: M S Raju
Release date: January 14, 2005
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The tile of the film “Nuvostaante Nenoddantana” if translated into English would mean something like this, “If you wish to come, can I refuse?” Of course, the essence of what it means is somewhat lost in translation. The title is actually lifted from the more popular song Nuvostaante Nenoddantana from the Telugu film “Varsham” (Rain or a heavy downpour) which coincidentally starred Trisha in the lead role.
The Movie:
Siddartha is an NRI and a spoiled brat. He is used to a fast life and changes his girlfriends faster than he changes his clothes. His parents dote on him. He is their only son and is pampered by his wealthy and indulgent parents.
Trisha is country lass, equally pampered by his loving brother who has struggled all his life just to fulfill a vow, and keep his little sister happy.
Siddartha’s mother decides that both have to go to India to grace the marriage of his cousin sister who also happens to be Trisha’s close friend. Siddarth has no choice in the matter and despite his inhibitions finds himself on a flight to India.
The story that unfolds after Siddartha meets Trisha reminded me of the successful Hindi flicks “Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya” and “Maine Pyar Kiya” with bits of other Hindi films thrown in as well to mislead the audience into believing that it has an original story. Most people who haven’t watched the Hindi movies (this is quite probable in rural belt) would lap up this story.
While watching this movie I couldn’t help but compare every scene to one Hindi movie or the other, but I must honestly add that the treatment given to this ‘Kichdi’ of a story was nothing less than exceptional and I began to mentally delete my Hindi movie database and enjoy the movie at hand.
The movie comes out as a highly romantic musical, with good songs and music, rib tickling comic scenes in which Sunil excels. Most of the cast have done their job, and I especially liked the pairing of Siddartha and Trisha though I felt Trisha was looking a bit older opposite Siddartha.
The entire story, save for a few scenes, is narrated in the flashback mode. Therefore, the audience will do well to occupy their seats well before the first scene is screened.
Devi Sri Prasad’s lilting tunes have done justice to Seetarama Shastry’s outstanding https://lyrics. Devi Sri Prasad + Seetarama Shastry seems to be a winning formula.
Prabhudeva’s directorial debut has turned out to be a very successful one indeed though he cannot take any credit for the ‘remix story’. You can also watch him in one of the better songs in the movie where he does his bit to up the morale of a disheartened Siddarth.
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My Views:
Let me warn you that there is a bit of gory violence near the end, but it is relevant to the story.
The story itself is a Kichdi of sorts but what redeems it is the screenplay and treatment. The acting from most of the cast is above average. The catchy songs are a pleasure to hear and watch. Trisha, the model turned actress, is here to stay, in fact, I observe that she has a growing fan-base among the Telugu audience. Her cute innocent looks are the real killer.
Siddartha has done no harm to his career by doing this film; his stock is on the rise.
Venugopal’s cinematography is pleasing and he has captured some lovely locales on celluloid including a few tricky fight scenes.
This movie is a wholesome entertainer and can be watched by the entire family.
If you haven’t watched any of the above Hindi movies, and if you are an avid Telugu moviegoer, then you will like this movie – go have a blast!
© MB Farookh. Jan, 2005