Release Date : January 12, 2024
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring: Mahesh Babu, Sreeleela, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Jagapathi Babu. Ramya Krishnan, Rao Ramesh, Vennela Kishore and others
Director: Trivikram Srinivas
Producer: S. Radha Krishna
Music Director: Thaman S
Cinematographer: Manoj Paramahamsa
Editor: Naveen Nooli
Related Links : Trailer
After 14 years, Super Star Mahesh Babu and director Trivikram Srinivas collaborated for the action-packed emotional drama, Guntur Kaaram. Amid high expectations, the film has released today in theaters worldwide. Check out our review to see how it is.
Story:
Vyra Vasundhara (Ramya Krishnan) left her son Veera Venkata Ramana (Mahesh Babu) at the age of 10 because of an accident. After 25 years, she becomes a Minister, and to ensure her smooth victory in the upcoming elections, her father, Venkata Swamy (Prakash Raj), wants Ramana to sign papers declaring he has no relation with his mother, Vasundhara. The unfolding narrative answers questions about the accident, how Venkata Ramana reacted, whether he signed the papers, what Vasundhara did, and if they reunite eventually.
Plus Points:
Mahesh Babu effortlessly steps into his highly anticipated role, showcasing his rough and rugged style complemented by the captivating Guntur dialect. His charismatic energy breathes life into every frame, providing a delightful experience for his dedicated fanbase.
Prakash Raj, perfectly cast once again in Guntur Kaaram, delivers a commendable performance as both the minister and Mahesh Babu’s grandfather. The on-screen chemistry between the two adds a significant layer to the film.
Despite the limited screen time in a story centered around her character, Ramya Krishnan delivers a subtle yet impactful performance, leaving a fine impression.
The banter and comedic exchanges between Mahesh Babu and Vennela Kishore create genuine moments of laughter, though other cast members deliver performances of average merit.
Minus Points:
The film’s central weakness lies in its narrative, with Trivikram falling short in crafting a compelling storyline and a more robust screenplay. Emotional scenes suffer from the lackluster writing, impacting the overall engagement.
Guntur Kaaram is burdened with unnecessary scenes featuring characters contributing little to the overarching plot. The underutilization of talented actors, including Meenakshii Chaudhary, Rahul Ravindran, Jagapathi Babu, Rao Ramesh, and Jayaram, adds to the film’s shortcomings.
Despite a promising start, the first half loses momentum as it nears the interval. Hopes for an impressive latter half are dashed, emphasising the need for Trivikram’s focus on script and screenplay development.
Musical compositions, while acceptable, fail to rise above mediocrity. However, Mahesh Babu’s dance sequences with Sreeleela offer a pleasant diversion for fans.
Technical Aspects:
Trivikram Srinivas, in both writing and directing, falls short of leaving a lasting impact. A more resonant and audience-connecting storyline could have significantly enhanced the film’s overall appeal. Thaman’s musical contribution, unfortunately, falls below expectations.
While Manoj Paramahamsa’s cinematography meets satisfactory standards, editor Navin Nooli has ample room for improvement, particularly in trimming unnecessary scenes. The producers’ substantial investment ensures a visually rich appearance for the film.
Verdict:
On the whole, Guntur Kaaram manages to entertain in parts, relying heavily on Mahesh Babu’s screen presence, accent, and one-liners. However, its drawbacks, including a thin storyline, sluggish screenplay, and superfluous scenes, may limit its broader appeal. While Guntur Kaaram may not impress all sections of the audience this Sankranthi season, Mahesh Babu fans may find it watchable thanks to the actor’s one-man show in an energetic and charismatic avatar.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team