Except the name of Supergood movies films’ R.B.Chowdhary and to an extent Nani of ‘Ashta Chemma’ fame, there is hardly anything else why ‘Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu’ should pull one to the theatres. However, through its marketing the film promises a rural setting, a game of Kabaddi, some new faces and technicians. Does this film work for Telugu audiences?

What’s It About: A group of ‘good for nothing’ Bheemili village men finds their passion and challenge in one game – Kabaddi. The only problem is they are consistent losers and the villagers make fun of them whenever they could. Suri, who works in the house of a rich landlord also wants to be a part of the team, but is only treated as an extra all the time.

For a poor man, Suri’s destiny takes a different turn from when he falls in love with a belle who comes from Rajahmundry. She seems to reciprocate the feelings too. Surigadu is made to play for his team, and they beat the tough opponents, making him a permanent team member, and also endearing him to the girl.

Hearing that the state level competitions are happening in Rajahmundry, Suri coaxes the team to try there, hoping to find his girl. What happens next forms the rest of the story.

What is Good: The chemistry between Sharanya Mohan and Nani is great to watch on the screen. The rustic innocence between the couple is captured well and elevated by some good music. Sharyan Mohan as a girl from the town, whose name is not known till the end, is a perfect fit for her character. Nani as the docile but enthusiastic and good at heart boy carries most of the film without the feeling that he is the one who is carrying it, inspite of having very less dialogues to say.

The comedy that a rural setting offers, is utilized well in the film, and it runs through out. Inspite of being a remake of ‘Vennila Kabaddi Kuzhu’, the story does make each character real, as if you’ve seen some of them in your life. Kishore who acts as the coach of the film also performs energetically, giving some interesting moments.

All the actors’ performances are good in the Kabaddi matches. While we all know who’ll win and who’ll lose, Kabaddi matches were watched in rapt attention by the audiences.

What is bad: The film promises a rural setting, a game and a love story along with few good numbers. While it keeps its promise, there is nothing more to offer. Hence it becomes a touch slow to establish the real motives behind all characters. While the ending justifies how ‘good luck’ and ‘destiny’ shape the careers and lives of few people, especially the poor ones, the ‘good luck’ comes across as too many conveniences in the screenplay. The drama leading towards the Kabaddi finale seems a touch over done.

Technical Departments: Director Tatineni Satya should be appreciated for taking up a film that is experimental by nature, and fulfilling it to the core. For a first timer it was a risk, but ‘Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu’ is a risk worth taking.

Background music by Selva Ganesh is awesome. For a sports movie you would think the cinematography and editing that are the key. While both the cinematographer and editor do a decent job, Selva Ganesh’s music is terrific. There are many emotions which Ganesh establishes only with his music.

Costumes and art direction give the film a realism that only Tamil films seem to show these days. Just a look at the food the actors eat, the slippers they wear and the settings they live is enough!

Final Point: A poor man’s destiny is always interesting to learn about. A stroke of a luck or bad luck that comes without a name decides his life irrespective of what kind of a person he is. ‘Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu’ is the story of one such poor man who makes the most of it and inspires his team! It’s a decent watch.