'DJ Tillu' is the latest box-office release in the town. Let's find out what works and what doesn't.
Story
Bala Gangadhar Tilak aka DJ Tillu (Siddhu Jonnalagadda) is a self-styled DJ who thinks that he is a great talent. When he crosses paths with a pub singer named Radhika (Neha Shetty), he thinks life is going to be colourful. But he soon gets embroiled in a crime that is entirely of Radhika's making. What are Radhika's intentions? Will Tillu have salvation? How does he end up dealing with a cop (Brahmaji) and a shady dealer (Prince)? Find out in the movie.
Performances
Siddhu Jonnalagadda shows more ease than he did in 'Krishna And His Leela' and 'Guntur Talkies'. In his first major theatrical release, the actor-writer delivers comedy with simplicity and ease. More than classy characters, it seems characters inspired by people on the street suit him more.
Neha Shetty, who was spotted by Puri Jagannadh for 'Mehabooba', brings her experience of doing an acting course. In the role of a woman who is suspected by her boyfriend, she avoids easy acting gimmicks. Brahmaji and Prince are fun to watch, the former more than the latter. Fish Venkat and Narra Srinivas are roles. The actors who have played Tillu's parents are good.
Technical aspects
Avinash Kolla's art direction understands the milieu of Hyderabad. The visuals needed to be flashy and the art director acts as per his brief. Mouna Gummadi and Sahith Gummadi have taken care of the costume department with finesse.
But the film belongs more to its BGM composer Thaman. The star music director is superb! And the four songs (composed by Ram Miriyala and Sri Charan Pakala) are A-class. The cinematographer Sai Prakash Ummadisingu shows promise.
Analysis
Actor-writer Siddhu Jonnalagadda, like actor-writer Adivi Sesh, knows his strengths. Just as Sesh found Ravikanth Perepu for 'Kshanam', Siddhu finds Vimal Krishna for his breakout movie 'DJ Tillu'.
Last March, it was 'Jathi Ratnalu' which was unapologetically slapstick and madcap. This year, it is the turn of 'DJ Tillu' to be a no-holds-barred crime comedy.
The trailer for 'DJ Tillu' pretty much introduced the conflict between Tillu and Radhika with a touch of naughtiness. There is a key element about Radhika's character that the trailer didn't reveal. The film unravels it in the first half and the drama takes off from there. A hilarious turn of events leads an elaborate episode in a hospital, where slapstick comedy is taken to the next level.
Brahmaji plays a cop who has his motivations. Prince plays an aficionado of antique pieces. These two characters add comical muscle to the film. The chemistry they share with Siddhu's character is more important than what they get to do around Neha Shetty's character.
The film ends on an open-ended note. It seems Radhika and Tillu are up for something more crazy and emotional in the second part.
Closing Remarks
'DJ Tillu' was marketed as a crazy, youthful, unabashed comedy. It doesn't bank on its ordinary storyline. It taps into its lead man's superb comic timing, characterizations, and funny situations. Watch it!
