'Arjuna Phalguna' is the latest box office release. Let's find out what are its hits and misses.
Story
Arjun (Sree Vishnu) is leading a simple life in a Godavari village. His four childhood friends live in the same village. Shravani (Amritha Aiyer) is his girlfriend. They embark on the plan of setting up a small business enterprise in the village. This is when one of them faces a terrible financial crisis. Arjun and Co. are now in a desperate situation. To extricate themselves from it, they become greedy and decide to do a one-off smuggling deal. The consequences are unpleasant. Can they eventually have peace?
Performances
Sree Vishnu's third release of the year (after 'Gaali Sampath' and 'Raja Raja Chora') has him deliver a sincere performance. Amritha Aiyer, despite being a non-Telugu, looks the part of a girl belonging to the Godavari area in Andhra Pradesh.
VK Naresh (as a money-rich fellow), Sivaji Raja (as the hero's father) and Devi Prasad are below-average. Subba Raju, one of the pickiest character artists, is routine. Mahesh Achanta, after proving his mettle in movies like 'Rangasthalam' and 'Mahanati', is consistent. He and the male lead are joined by Raj Kumar Kasireddy and Chaitanya Garikipati.
Technical aspects
Priyadarshan makes a decent debut as a music director. 'Kaapadeva Raapadeva' is a running song. Jagadeesh Cheekati is emerging from the shadow of the Ram Gopal Varma school (he worked on 'Bhairava Geetha', 'Murder' and 'Amma Rajyamlo Kadapa Biddalu' in the past). After doing his best to make 'Johaar' special, the cinematographer delivers a sub-par output.
The film has art direction by Gandhi Nadikudikar of 'Narappa' fame. Viplav Nyshadam of 'Raja Vaaru Rani Vaaru' and 'Raja Raja Chora' fame has done editing.
Analysis
The film's trailer was misleading in a comprehensive way. It presented the film as a mostly serious one, but the film actually has other elements in a substantial way. The song 'Kaapadeva' was supposed to add a layer of intensity to the proceedings but it doesn't.
Ram Sunkara mounts the action sequences in a very dull manner. The film was shot in forests for many days. Director Teja Marni of 'Johar' fame wrapped up the shoot in 55 days. While the hurried wrap-up may have saved the production costs, the frames come across as amateurish in many places.
The dialogues are by Sudheer Varma P, a debutant, are not noteworthy. The efforts to tickle the funny bone through situational comedy fall flat.
The first half is at least bearable because of the staging of the premise. The second half is an absolute mess and offers nothing exciting. The action moments are elementary. The climax is not old-fashioned, but it doesn't have novelty either.
Closing Remarks
'Arjuna Phalguna' is a failed attempt at telling the story of underdogs who are stuck in a crime. It has a weak screenplay, and the comedy doesn't work.
