Kalyana Vaibhogame - Movie Review

What's is about

Shourya (Naga Shourya) is a gaming software professional in Hyderabad. He is just 23 years old but his parents want him to get married before his aging grandmother dies. He wants freedom, doesn't want to get married so early but reluctantly agrees to see the girl Divya (Malavika Nair), who is pursuing medicine. She too doesn't want to get married now but agrees as her father is forcing her. They meet and tell each other their true feelings and break their alliance. A few months later they run into each other, and agree to get married with a condition that they would file divorce after marriage and lead free life. But is life as simple as that? Does love bud after this marriage or they get divorced?

Analysis

Director Nandini Reddy, who debuted with blockbuster 'Ala Modalindi', has failed to recreate similar magic in her second film 'Jabardasth' but she is back in form in this new film 'Kalyana Vaibhogame'. While in 'Ala Modalaindi', she presented a romantic drama full of comedy, she has touched upon emotions in this film. Taking a simple storyline ala Manirathnam's 'Mounaragam', she has weaved a story with contemporary issues and with a dash of family sentiments. 

There is maturity in her handling of this subject. All the while telling the story with cute romantic scenes, fun banter with beautiful visuals and music, she has included her message beautifully. Like coming-up age stories, this movie is all about two youngsters trying to find the true meaning of marriage.

Story is wafer-thin but it is told entertainingly by bringing out right chemistry between Naga Shourya and Malavika Nair. Yes, the movie is too lengthy. No doubt it needs trimming of minimum 15 minutes and the director shows off indulgence in some scenes. The episode of Tagubothu Ramesh is stretched beyond a point in the climax. While these are negative points, the movie has many brownie points to talk about.

Scenes like Naga Shourya's father explaining the futility of spending money on weddings lavishly are beautiful.

Romantic stories with touch of family emotions work with the right casting. She has used right actors for all the roles. Naga Shourya is looking handsome and believable in the role. He has done competent job in the role of a youngster who is confused about love and marriage. Malavika Nair who wowed the audiences with her performance in ‘Yevade Subramanyam’ has shined again as modern independent minded girl. She steals the show in many scenes.

Raasi as the mother is dignified. Pragathi and Aishwarya have gone overboard. Especially this reviewer felt the act of Aishwarya constant crybaby attitude is unnatural. The actor who played the role of Naga Shourya's father is endearing. Rehman aka Anand has also acted superbly. Journalist Mahesh Koneru has done a cameo and it is good.

The movie boasts of good writing. Dialogue writer Lakshmi Bhoopal has come up with some good dialogues. The other positive aspect of the movie is its music. On hearing, they didn't sound that impressive but in the movie all the songs composed by Kalyani Koduri have elevated the mood of the movie. He has given another thumb up score.

Cinematography is another major plus to the movie. New cameraman Raju has lent arresting visuals to the screen. Editing by Junaid is neat but he should have trimmed the indulgent scenes out.

Director Nandini Reddy who has given us an entertaining romantic entertainer with ‘Ala Modalaindi’ has shown her mark. Her strength lies in capturing the fun moments of today’s youth as well as portraying the bonding between parents and their grownup children beautifully on to the screen. She has proved this again. Unlike in her debut movie, in this movie she has not focused much on comedy. 

Bottom-line: 

'Kalyana Vaibhogame' is nice romantic drama with some beautiful moments and family sentiments. Good chemistry between the lead pair, touching sequences with right music and dialogues, the movie strikes the chord. An endearing film but with lengthy runtime