Varudu :: My Review

Gunasekhar is back after around 40months with Varudu which deals about Telugu Marriage rituals. This movie has generated enough buzz among Telugu Movie Lovers as Guna has been trashed after making a dud, Sainikudu. Every one were eager to watch if Guna and Allu Arjun, who is widely recognized for his Story Selection could deliver a blockbuster this time.

Plot

Sandy aka Sandeep (Allu Arjun) is a rich, fun loving guy who is leaving to abroad in a month. His parents (Asish Vidyarthi-Suhaasini) ask him to marry before he leaves to abroad to which Sandeep accepts but insists that his marriage has to take place in the similar way marriages used to happen some 100years back, thereby going for a 16days ritual in which 5days will be exclusively for marriage. Sandeep also wishes to see the bride only on the "Pelli Peetalu". Deepthi (Bhanu Mehra), also wishes to see the groom there itself. On the other hand Diwakar (Aarya) is a cruel stage artist who eyes on Deepthi. Diwakar kidnaps Deepthi on the "Pelli Peetalu". The rest of the story is about whether Sandeep is able to get back Deepthi?

Allu Arjun, is known for his energetic performances but this movie requires pretty subtle performance where Allu Arjun has been out played. His dialogue delivery lacks intensity and his voice modulation is unbearable. He is good at times, overall this movie can be forgettable in terms of his performance.

Aarya, who got into limelight with his extraordinary performance in Nenu Devunni, the Telugu version of Naan Kaadhavul. He scored 100% with his outstanding screen presence. Thanks to Ravi Shankar, the Bommali fame who dubbed for Aarya. His voice brought helped a lot to the character. Simply, he is terrific as The Bad Boy.

Bhanu Mehra's identity has not been revealed before the release of the movie, she isn't worth of it. She has nothing much to perform.

Asish Vidhyarthi has nothing to perform. Naresh is okay. Suhasini is okay for few scenes, in the remaining she over acted. I really do not know the name of the actress who has done the role of heroines mother in the movie. She is unbearable. Her emotions are too much, dialogues lacks intensity and people really felt horrified at her performance. Ahuthi Prasad is wasted. Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, Sunil and Ali has done cameo's. While Sunil and Ali appear in a song the other appears in couple of Scenes. The audience couldn't bear the "Class" scenes of Singeetham, be it in regards to Telugu Marriage or "Jeelakarra-Bellam". Those kind of scenes require an actor who can convincingly present the written on the screen, singeetham failed to do so and that tested the patience of audience.

Technical Departments

Music: Gunasekhar has a special bonding with Manisharma. This audio requires multiple hearings though couple of songs are instant hits. First half of the movie doesn't require much background score but Mani has done a decent job in the second half. Bahusa o Chanchala, Kalalu Kaavule and Aidhu rojula Pelli are my picks.

Art Direction by Ashok and Cinematography by RD Rajasekhar are impressive. Dialogues by Thota Prasad are mediocre, it should have been much much much better.

Story-Screenplay-Direction: I personally like Gunasekhar for his screenplay. In the movies like Sogasu Chudu Tarama, Chudalani Vundi, Manoharam and Okkadu his screenplay is terrific. I do not understand what led him take Special interest in Graphic Work more than his gripping screenplay. Guna please do sit down and think, you have scored high with okkadu but after that you have completely left your screenplay technique and highly relying on CG work and Graphics. The thing is few movies do need that work not every one. He should have taken much care about the first half of the movie. The second half of the movie is okay but thoroughly remembered me of Okkadu, Arjun and even Sainikudu. He had mixed them up and made a cocktail second half which is strictly okay.

Songs on Screen

Aidhu rojula Pelli and Bahusa o Chanchala songs are my picks on the screen. Allu Arjun, who is known for his dances entertains the audience in the opening song and the climax song. They aren't the best from Allu Arjun but are good. He scored better in the opening song than the climax one. Choreography for the climax song isn't top notch.

Positives

1. Aarya's Performance.
2. Picturisation of Bahusa o Chanchala Song
3. Few Scenes in the Second half.

Negatives

1. Dialogue delivery of Allu Arjun at high intense scenes.
2. Most of the First half.
3. Performances of the Character artistes.

On the whole the movie is neither good nor too bad, but it really tests your patience at times. First half of the movie is very slow until the song "Aidhurojula Pelli". It ends on a good note with Aarya's introduction. The start of the second half picks up pace with scintillating performance by Aarya but as the movie progresses it keeps falling. The climax fight is good until the hero climbs the tower and asks Aarya to come over there. What led Guna to make that blunder, only Guna could answer.

My Review: 2.75/5