Movie Review: After a not-so-impressive debut vehicle (Josh), Naga Chaitanya returns in a refreshing rom-com and this time around he steals your heart. He plays an endearing lover boy, (something that his grandpa ANR and dad Nagarjuna had excelled in at one time) and actually does a good job of it. In the film, Chaitanya plays the role of a lively, glib, passionate young man who pursues his love with great zeal. His perseverance in fact, transforms even an unyielding and traditional girl (Samantha) and makes her shrug off her initial inhibitions about love and marriage.
In this nice coming-of-age movie, both protagonists are young and spirited but with diametrically opposite views, yet passionate about each other. More than the familiar plot of boy-meets-the-girl, director Gautam Menon tactfully works around the initial hiccups, scepticism and charming trepidation of first love. Even though the separation of the two lovers towards the end of the film looks very contrived, it establishes how separation actually strengthened their bond.
The film is devoid of clichéd comedy track, but the matter-of-fact conversations between the lead characters provide necessary wit. Another USP of the film, is maestro A R Rahman's mellifluous tunes and the enchanting background score adds to the mood of the peppy romance. In this nice coming-of-age movie, both protagonists are young and spirited but with diametrically opposite views, yet passionate about each other. More than the familiar plot of boy-meets-the-girl, director Gautam Menon tactfully works around the initial hiccups, scepticism and charming trepidation of first love. Even though the separation of the two lovers towards the end of the film looks very contrived, it establishes how separation actually strengthened their bond.
Barring some snail-paced portions (that could have been edited) and a few repetitive scenes, the stylised narrative and colourful songs (shot in exotic locations) is a visual treat.
The story goes like this — an aspiring filmmaker (Naga Chaitanya) instantly falls in love with a pretty girl (Samantha) who turns out to be the daughter of his house owner. After a few meetings, Chaitanya proposes to her but she is reluctant to accept his proposal. She is wary of parental disapproval (they belong to different religions and also she is older than him). But Chaitanya pursues her relentlessly. Finally the ice thaws and the lady reciprocates his love but insists on waiting for her dad's approval.
Chaitanya breathes life and charm into the role of a flamboyant lover and is bound to connect with youngsters. Debutante Samantha is fairly impressive. It seems that Tamil filmmaker Gautam Menon could break his jinx in Telugu with this candy floss romance. Actors Devan, Sanjay Swarup, Krishnudu are just okay.
Cast: Naga Chaitanya, Samantha, Krishnudu, Sanjay Swaroop, Surekha Vani and others
Music: AR Rahman
Lyrics: Anant Sreeram
Dialogues: Anuradha
Story – screenplay – director: Gowtam Vasudev Menon
Producer: Sanjay Swaroop
Release date: 26 February 2010