Jyo Achyutananda - Movie Review

Story:
There are two brothers who adore each other to the core. They share everything about their lives. Achyuth and Anand, both married, narrate how Jyotsana aka Jyo entered their lives and made them fall for her head over heels. They tell this story of Jyo to their wives. Jyo (Regina), a dentist, rents the upper portion in their house. She has plans to go to USA. Meanwhile both love her deeply and use all tricks to win her love but she shocks them by revealing she is already in love with another guy. After this twist, the story comes to the present day, and Jyo who went to USA for few years comes back to their house. Old wounds, old memories rake up. Also the brothers are going through a small turbulence in their lives. How does all this end?

Analysis: 

First things first, 'Jyo Achyuthananda', the second directorial movie of actor Avasarala Srinivas, offers so much fun in the first half. Unlike his maiden movie 'Oohalu Gusa Gusalade', this is not complete romantic entertainer, as it deals with romance and also bromance (bonding between two brothers). In fact, we see less about romance, more about brothers and their issues.

Although the movie's name and trailers may suggest it is as another triangle love story, it isn't. Two brothers fall in love with same girl, but there is a story beyond this single point. The first half of the movie talks about how the two brothers fall for their tenant Jyotsana, how they are heartbroken, and how they got married to girls chosen by their parents. The second half deals with the brothers, why they drifted apart, how would they find true bonding. Post interval scenes are much like 'Seethamma Vaakitlo Sirimalle Chettu' (SVSC), except that we don't see one of the brothers kicking a flowerpot. Interestingly Avasarala also puts a scene where two brothers are joyfully watching 'SVSC' on TV.

Full humor is there in the beginning. Some witty dialogues, some clever set-up of scenes, and the amazing chemistry between the two lead actors have made the film a fun watch till the interval. We expect similar fun banter post interval but by then the drama is dried up and Avasarala has shifted his focus on brother's issues. Post interval, Jyo (Regina) is almost missing, it is Achyutananda drama that is present more.

The second half has many loose ends. Scenes like two brothers beating up the guy who is harassing Jyo are too silly. The engagement episode of Jyo should have been dealt in better way. Avasarala has shown so much creativity in love track in the beginning of the movie but he has gone for predictable climax.

It boasts fine performances from all the actors especially from the two lead actors. Both Nara Rohith and Naga Shourya have done exceptionally good job as brothers. They share good chemistry, which is quite visible, and they have done their acting in believable way. Nara Rohith is suited to his role perfectly, while Naga Shourya shines as younger brother. Regina is neat in her brief role. There are couple of noted actors like Seetha and Tanikella Bharani and cameo by Nani and they are okay. Shashank in his guest appearance and Chaitanya Krishna are good too.

The film has classy visuals. Top-notch cinematography is its main asset. The cameraman filmed the movie mostly indoors and has made the frames look very bright and rich. Kalyan Raman's music is another strength. He has given soothing numbers, except for one song all have gelled perfectly into the story. Although the runtime is short with just 126 min, it gives lengthy feel due to slow pace. The editor should have paced the movie better in the second half.

As writer and director, Avasarala has shown so much spark in the first half - with witty dialogues, creative use of point of view narration. Wish he continued the same post interval instead of turning to sentiment scenes. The use of Buchchibabu's book 'Chivaraku Migeledi' is nice narrative device. His dialogues are spilled with chaste Telugu like 'Pratama Vibakti'. Some rhyme  dialogues are funny but some of them seem silly. Example this prasa - "Pamapakam, Pempakam".

Bottom-line: 'Jyo Achyuthanada' offers so much fun in the beginning of the movie. It is tale of two brothers than a triangular love story. Fun factor is there before the interval, but post-interval it treads on predictable sentimental way. Still, it is a fun watch.