Victory Venkatesh can add another hit to his name. Chintakayala Ravi is extremely predictable, but it is also thoroughly entertaining and for a film to manage both is no mean feat. Director Yogesh manages to keep you engrossed for most part of the movie and Kona Venkat's hilarious dialogues keep the laughs coming consistently.

What is it about: Chintakayala Ravi (Venkatesh) works in a bar called Cyberwave in the US, but tells his mom Seshamamba (Lakshmi, in a superb role) that he works as a software engineer to keep her happy. A jubiliant Seshamamba fixes Ravi's marriage with the local zamindar Ramachandra Rao's (Sayaji Shinde) daughter Lavanya, aka Luv (Mamatha Mohandas). Lavanya entrusts the job of inquiring about Chintakayala Ravi to her best friend Sunitha (Anushka) who stays in New York. The rest of the story is all about the cat and mouse game between these characters.

What is Good: Venkatesh comes up with another character that will appeal most to his female fan following. He comes up with a good performance and is particularly good in the emotional scenes. Anushka and Mamatha Mohandas play their parts very well. Anushka is probably the one heroine in the industry today who looks as gorgeous in a saree as she looks in a jeans and tee. The supporting cast do very well too. Lakshmi takes the laurels as the super proud mom of Ravi. Chandramohan and MS Narayana do their reputations no harm. Ali reprises his role as Nachimi (from Chirutha) and has the theater in splits. Brahmanandam, Sunil, Master Bharat, Venu Madhav, Srinivas Reddy, Ajay, Sayaji Shinde – all of them put in their two cents to make the movie that much better. Vishal Sekhar's music is fresh and the lovely locales of New York where the songs are shot enhance the music. Kona Venkat's dialogues deserve special mention. Producer Bujji must be commended for making a rich film with high production values.

What is bad:The story does tend to go in to Venkatesh's predictable love triangle mode sometimes. Also, there might be some complaints about Venky's oft repeated sacrificial roles. The film does tend to drag towards the climax, but the comedy keeps the momentum going.

Me Thinks: Entertaining fare in the predictable Venkatesh mode. If you are looking for a good family entertainer, then Chintakayala Ravi is your kind of film. Director Yogi was bang on when he said that it would be like a Yash Raj film with Telugu nativity. A good film!..

Tailpiece: Cameos by Jr. NTR, Venu and Nikitha add to the film. NTR's dance in the Shava Shava song drew maximum cheers from the audience and his entry surrounded by people wearing Balayya masks was well planned.

Songs :

1. Enduko Toli Tondarenduko – Shot on Venkatesh in NY and Mamatha Mohandas in a village backdrop – the locales of New York make the song look fresh...

2. Merupula merise – Shot on sets, a regular duet between Venkatesh and Mamtha Mohandas

3. Valla Valla – A pub song with Arthi Chabbria doing the honors, very different from Venky's usual style.

4. Nahi Chodungaa – The crowd loved this song the most and it was evident from the hooting in the aisles. Venkatesh teasing Anushka all over New York, good song.

5. Shava Shava – A party song, shot on a set with Venkatesh and Anushka. Jr. NTR appears in the middle of the song and dances for the rest of the song, the crowd went wild!

6. Bagundey Bagundey – reminds one of the Kuch tho hua hai song from Kal Ho Na Ho. Shot in New York with Anushka and Venkatesh.