Release Date : September 13, 2024
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Raj Tarun, Manisha Kandkur, Singeetham Srinivasrao, Abhirami Gopikumar, VTV Ganesh and others
Director : Sivasai Vardhan
Producers : N.V. Kiran Kumar
Music Director: Shekar Chandra
Cinematographer: Nagesh Banell
Editor: Srikanth Patnaik
Related Links : Trailer
In less than two months, Telugu actor Raj Tarun has delivered two movies, Purushothamudu and Thiragabadara Saami. His latest film, Bhala Unnade, hits the screens today. Read our review to know how it fares.
Story :
Radha (Raj Tarun), a talented saree drapist in Visakhapatnam, has the peculiar habit of never touching women. His mother, Gowri (Abhirami), works at a bank with Krishna (Manisha Kandukur), who dislikes Radha without knowing he’s her secret admirer. After discovering the truth, they fall in love and get engaged. However, Krishna grows suspicious of Radha’s behavior with women and starts reconsidering their relationship. Why does Radha avoid physical contact? Will Krishna leave him for good? What is Radha hiding, and how will his mother react? The film answers these questions.
Plus Points:
Raj Tarun takes on a unique role, diverging from his usual action-packed characters to portray one with simplicity and depth. His performance is understated yet effective.
Abhirami shines as a modern mother with a friend-like relationship with her son. Her emotional scenes, particularly during the flashback episode, are compelling. This role is a strong follow-up to her impactful performance in Saripodhaa Sanivaaram.
VTV Ganesh and Hyper Adi’s comedy adds some entertainment value, and a few scenes between the lead pair in the second half are enjoyable. The rest of the cast fits their roles adequately.
Minus Points:
The film has a compelling premise, but the director fails to convey it effectively. The rationale behind the protagonist’s unusual behavior towards women is poorly explained and remains enigmatic for general audiences even after the film ends. Although the backstory of Raj Tarun and his mother is presented, it lacks clarity, making the protagonist’s actions less understandable.
Manisha Kandukur’s portrayal of an overly enthusiastic character often feels out of place and irritating, detracting from the overall plot. Her hyperactive behavior undermines the film’s mood.
Veterans Singeetham Srinivas Rao and Leela Samson have roles that don’t significantly impact the main story. Their scenes could have been better written to enhance emotional depth.
Many scenes, particularly the comedy involving Racha Ravi in the second half, are not well-executed and lack focus.
Technical Aspects:
J. Sivasai Vardhan’s promising concept is marred by uneven narration, which affects the overall engagement. The backstory is inconsistently presented. Technically, the film is decent with nice visuals by Nagesh Banell. However, Shekhar Chandra’s musical touch is missed, and the editing by Srikanth Patnaik could have been sharper. The production quality is otherwise commendable.
Verdict:
On the whole, Bhala Unnade features a nice concept but suffers from ineffective narration. Despite decent performances from Raj Tarun and Abhirami, the film is undermined by poorly executed comedy, an irritating lead character, and unnecessary scenes. Exploring other entertainment options might be preferable for the weekend.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team