'Thellavarithe Guruvaram' is out in the theatres this Saturday (March 27). Here is our review of the rom-com.
Story
Veeru (Sri Simha) and Madhu (Misha Narang) are supposed to tie the knot in some hours. This is when they have to make a shocking decision of a lifetime. Veeru is in love with Krishnaveni (Chitra Shukla), a doctor. He wants to elope with her against his elders' wishes.
On the other hand, Madhu has no feelings for the groom. Accidentally, they end up running away together because they both dislike the marriage. Least do they expect that their plans can undergo a massive change over the span of a night.
Performances
Sri Simha, the son of MM Keeravani, tries to engage the audience in the role of a somewhat irritated guy. He is right on the cue in most of the scenes. Misha Narang makes the cut in the role of an emotionally disturbed woman. Chitra Shukla looks the part of a youngster who takes her man for granted.
Satya, the most-happening comedian after Vennela Kishore, is hilarious in the role of an uncle who is the loudest person at the wedding. Viva Harsha is good and laughs at himself. Ajay is wasted in a silly role. Rajeev Kanakala plays the heroine's emotional father.
Technical aspects
Kaala Bhairava's songs work better in the course of the story than otherwise. The background music is in tune with the breezy mood of the film. The visuals could have been better with a better production design.
Analysis
Writer-director Manikanth Gelli chooses the low-hanging fruit of a coming-of-age romantic drama for his debut movie. And he delivers mixed results, by and large.
The film succeeds in eliciting some laughs, thanks to the situational comedy involving the male lead, his maternal uncle Satya and friend Viva Harsha. Satya is almost the USP of the film's comedy quotient, with him believing that the bride and his groom are making out before their scheduled marriage. Harsha is fun to watch, but he would have looked much better had his female colleague been equally funny.
When Krishnaveni enters the scene, you feel that the film is treading the path of a done-to-death love story. There is no reason why a doctor should fall for Veeru so easily. However, as the story progresses, we understand that Krishnaveni is prone to make decisions prematurely.
The characterization of Misha's character should have been far better. We are treated to her infantilism without a proper padding up. To avert a sense of boredom, the director should have sketched her character as a comically idiosyncratic one.
The second half comes undone with too many predictable and obvious scenes. The only surprise (and also silly) element comes in the form of Ajay's character, whose episode is wrapped up without leaving any impact.
The climax should have involved some really strong conversations. It would have taken the relationship film to the next level. Probably, Madhu should have sought some time to see whether she will think from the point of view of others in her life.
Closing Remarks
'Thellavarithe Guruvaram' is staged as a fun film with some not-so-serious relationship issues at its core. The film delivers a mixed package.
