Sai and Shujath talk Cinema

I never really heard about this movie until it released…and went on to become a big hit. But when I finally saw it, I was feeling just a bit less than totally disappointed. The reviews praised debutant director Surender Reddy’s stylishly shot action sequences….well, I believe that’s precisely because in recent times the fastest mode of air travel is getting hit by a Tollywood superstar (or a wannabe superstar) onscreen - thanks to a technology called wirework. In such a situation, any action which manages to be slightly more realistic will surely wow people. I think this is what worked for Athanokkade which came at a time when an action film could mean only a revenge drama set in the Seema backdrop. Of course, you have to forgive the fact that you see the same guys hanging out of their Tata Sumos wielding swords on the main roads of Hyderabad.

Coming to the actual story it is about a guy and a girl from the same family; separated after their family’s massacre and are out to get revenge years later without the knowledge of each other’s existence (somewhat like in Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja). This film could have been much much better if the voice of the hero Kalyan Ram was dubbed. He looks and emotes well but the moment he opens his mouth it’s a disaster all the way. Sindhu Tolani (Aithe, Manmadhan) gets quite a meaty role when compared to what a lead actress generally gets in films like these and she is good. Venu Madhav is reliable as usual and he is actually the main reason the first half is watchable. Ashish Vidhyarthi and Ajay are fine as the bad guys. Mani Sarma’s music is plain average. As I said before, this movie is something I found overhyped and one might only enjoy it if seen with zilch expectations.