| Release date : 08 March 2013 | ||
| 123telugu.com Rating : 3/5 | ||
| Director : Kumar Nagendra | ||
| Producer : Lakshmi Manchu | ||
| Music Director : Ilaiyaraaja | ||
| Starring : Aadhi,Lakshmi Manchu,Sundeep Kishan, Taapsee.. |
Lakshmi Manchu’s ambitious project, Gundello Godaari, has released today across the world. The movie has been directed by Kumar Nagendra and Ilayaraja has composed the music. Tapsee, Aadi, Sundeep Kishan and Lakshmi Manchu have played the lead roles. Let us see how ‘Gundello Godaari’ is.
Story :
The story of the film is loosely based on a novel named ‘Godavari Kathalu’, written by BVS Rama Rao. The film is set in 1986, in a remote village near Rajahmundry. Malli ( Aadi) and Chitra (Lakshmi Manchu) are a newly wed couple who are forced to battle it out against a devastating flood. They lose all hope of survival, so they decide to narrate the darkest moments of their lives to each other.
Malli is an honest and hardworking fisherman whose life ambition is to buy a fishing boat of his own. He works under Sambasivayya, a fishing merchant. Sarala (Tapsee) is Sambasivayya’s daughter and she lusts after Malli. A frightened Malli tries his best to fend off Sarala’s advances, but succumbs in the end. His simple life is shattered when Sambasivayya comes to know about the matter.
Chitra is a simple village girl who grows up admiring Suri (Sundeep Kishan). She works under Dhorababu (Ravi Babu), who is a womaniser, and is constantly forced to fend off his lecherous advances. A misunderstanding with Suri shatters her life and she is left all alone. Just when things seem to be taking a turn for the better, fate deals her a crucial blow. She is forced to choose between her modesty and Suri’s life. What does she do?
Will Malli and Chitra survive the flood? What happens after they confess their secrets to each other? That forms the story of ‘Gundello Godaari’.
Plus Points :
The film’s flooding sequences have been shot superbly. There is an air of authenticity around the sequences and the production team needs to be commended for this effort. Aadi is very effective as the fisherman Malli. He looks raw and rugged. Tapsee’s characterization in the film is very interesting and she has played her part as a seductress to perfection.
Lakshmi has done a neat job. Sundeep Kishan is ok. Ravi Babu is effective as the womanising Dhorababu.
The first half of the film is pretty good and the scenes between Tapsee and Aadi are quite entertaining. It felt good to listen to some blockbuster Telugu film songs from the 80’s once again (They could be heard in the background, on radios etc).
There are some nicely written dialogues in the film and they will work well with mass masala lovers.
Minus Points :
The romantic track between Sundeep Kishan and Lakshmi in the second half could have been written better. There is no linear characterisation for this part of the film and most of the scenes seem superficial.
The pace of the movie can get slow at times, especially in the second half.
There are a lot of unexplained gaps in the plot. Why and how did Aadi and Lakshmi end up getting married? Who fixed their alliance? What happened to Aadi and Tapsee after their lovemaking episode?
The sentimental scenes in the second half are a little melodramatic and predictable.
Technical Aspects :
Cinematography by M.N.Palanikumaar is outstanding. He has managed to capture the natural beauty of the godavari delta very effectively. Ilayaraja’s background score is excellent in the film. The songs have been influenced by some of his past works. Editing could have been better in the second half.
Kumar Nagendra is a promising technician. If he can improve his command over narration and script, he has the potential to make good films.
Verdict :
‘Gundello Godaari’ is a commendable effort from Lakshmi Manchu. The movie has its share of strengths and weaknesses. A brilliantly shot flooding sequence, good cinematography and a nice first half work in the film’s favour. A below par second half spoils the experience a bit. Overall, the movie can be watched once for the superior technical effort that went into the film.
123telugu.com Rating – 3/5
Reviewed by Mahesh S Koneru
