Has no exciting moments
'Itlu Maredumilli Prajaneekam', produced by Zee Studios and Hasya Movies, was released in theatres today.
Story
Srinivas (Allari Naresh) is a government school teacher dispatched on election duty. He lands in a remote village where the tribal voters have no belief in the system. Their requests for basic amenities like a school and a primary health centre have not been met for 30 years. Srinivas convinces them to cast their vote so that change stands a chance. But, he too has no faith that the village will get what it deserves. He conceives a plan for the village's well-being. What is it? Can he realize his goal?
Performances
Allari Naresh played an underdog in 'Maharshi' and 'Naandhi', with the latter making him look more distressed. In the film under review, he doesn't get to play an exciting role. Somehow, his body language and dialogue delivery are basic. For the most part, though, Naresh wears a sympathetic expression.
Anandhi, last year seen in 'Zombie Reddy' and 'Sridevi Soda Centre', is average. Shritej gets to play an unpredictable character. Vennela Kishore is not so fun to watch; the jokes don't land. Sampath Raj is boring. Raghu Babu, Praveen and others are also seen.
Technical aspects
Music director Sricharan Pakala, who has been doing diverse films like 'Major' and 'Thimmarusu', may not have brought his A-game to the table, but his BGM works just fine. Director of Photography Raam Reddy shoots the scenes unfolding in the forest area not that well. The film was shot over a span of 55 working days, with a lion's share of the shoot taking place in forests. In this, Art Director Brahma Kadali's talent plays an enabling role. Chota K Prasad's editing is not sharp in the second hour.
Post-mortem:
The film draws its core idea from the 2017 Hindi-language black comedy film 'Newton', which told the story of a government clerk who takes up an election duty. He is posted in a Naxal-infested town in the jungles of Chhattisgarh. The director of 'IMP' seems to have asked himself this question: What if the male lead in 'Newton' hatched a daredevil plan to enable change instead of merely sticking to the electoral process? That's what triggered the story of this Allari Naresh-starrer.
In a speech, Naresh said that 'IMP' is 40% comedy and 60% serious content. The comedy is half-hearted and lacklustre, though. The serious parts would have worked had Sampath Raj's character of a Collector not looked like a poor cousin of the vilest official out there.
In a particular scene, a military officer's worldview undergoes a change in a snap. How? Because the male lead says something. This formula-driven stock idea must be junked by our cinema.
The film does have some sensible moments. In fact, quite a few of them are unexpected. But an air of inertia hangs over the film. The climax action involving the Collector, the protagonist and the villagers comes with a touch of 'Kantara' The poor VFX is a bane here.
Closing Remarks
This film has got a few sensible ideas. But, overall, the proceedings lack the adrenaline rush.
