Appatlo Okadundevadu - Movie Review

'Appatlo Okadundevadu' movie has released today. Let's find to know whether it's worth watching or can be given a miss...

What's the Story?
The film is set in the early 1990s when socialist India was giving way to a new, bold liberalized India. 
Railway Raju (Sri Vishnu), the aspiring cricketer, has a seemingly normal life. Nithya (Tanya Hope) is his sweetheart, where as Vitthal Shetty (Brahmaji) is his all-weather friend. 

The scene changes when Imtiaz Ali (Nara Rohith), the ruthless cop, comes with the single-point agenda of cleaning the rebellious sub-system built by naxals. He spares none in his efforts as his grouse is personal. As he tells the conscientious IAS officer, he won't consider human rights when it's a war against the gun-trotting villains. 

Raju's sister is a naxal leader and wife of dreaded naxal Sabyasachi (Ravi Varma). When Raju doesn't co-operate with his mission, Imtiaz decides to take on the former. 

It's now time for hegemonic fight between Raju and Imtiaz. The second half is about how the two lives go their own paths, only to converge once again in a superb climax. 

What Works!

Based on certain true incidents, 'Appatlo Okadundevadu' tells a neatly-written story. There is a lot of potential not only for searing emotions, but also stylized action. The writer in director Sagar Chandra projects the emotions right. For many years, our films have suffered from lack of a gripping second half. This film is an honorable exception. The second half takes a totally unpredictable turn. The dialogues, written by the director, are brief yet make a thorough impact. They bring out the agony and such emotions of the characters when you least expect.

Sri Vishnu and Nara Rohith walk away with excellent performances. The former has been quite choosy and it is clear that it has paid off for him. He looks very fresh in the role of a dreaming, talented cricketer who might have become a national sensation. 

What Doesn't Work!

One feels the sub-plots like the 'Aman Ka Saudagar' ones are too generic which needlessly rob the proceedings of kick. 
Raju's journey in the second half could have been told more elaborately. The cinematography is inferior. Just because it's a period film set in the '90s, should it have been that colorless? The RR may be OK overall, but it's found wanting in certain challenging scenes. At times, the editing is shaky. 

Performance Score

Even with 'Ayyare', Sagar Chandra proved his talent for getting the casting right. With this film, he manages to pull off an impressive act. Sree Vishnu delivers knockout performance. Nara Rohit should be appreciated for accepting this movie and role . He has played second fiddle to Sree Vishnu, yet has given best shot. Among other actors, Brahmaji shines. Tanya is miscast as heroine. 

Final Verdict
'Appatlo Okadundevadu' has a fascinating story. The characters are rare, neatly etched, have their own difficult journeys. Unpredictability is the film's mainstay. It is a well-narrated subject. Director Sagar Chandra's deft handling of the subject and Nara Rohith and Sree Vishnu's performance are impressive. With nail-biting moments and commendable climax this film is a good watch.