Jai Lava Kusa - Movie Review

What's it about!
Jai, Lava and Kusa perform stage plays at Tenali Natya Mandali as this is their family’s profession. Jai gets mistreated by his uncle for his lack of dialogue delivery and stammering. He develops hatred towards his two brothers Lava and Kusa and sets fire when they are preforming a show. But thankfully, they escape from the fire and Lava grows up to become a bank employee and Kusa a petty thief. Fate brings the three brothers together again. Jai who has changed his name to Raavana Maharaj kidnaps them and brings to his place in Orissa. Now Lava and Kusa have to do a mission for him and pose like him to the public. What happens next is the story...

Analysis
A big movie star appearing in triple role on screen has become rare these days. In the olden days, NTR (Sr), ANR, Sivaji Ganeshan, Chiranjeevi, Krishna and Kamal Haasan have played three or more than three roles in a movie. Kamal Haasan has done ‘Dasavatharam’ (10 roles). But among the contemporary Telugu big stars, no actor has done a triple role. Hence, NTR doing three roles and all three characters appearing in entire story has interested everyone. 

The basic premise of “Jai Lava Kusa” is actually very interesting. Three brothers getting separated and uniting again is not an uncommon thread in movies but in “Jai Lava Kusa”, there is a twist. One character here turns Raavana who despises his brothers. More than this angle, there is an element in the second half which is quite interesting: Lava and Kusa have to appear as Jai – in clothes and body language. A terrific element to weave some entertaining moments but the director has missed the chance of exploiting it well.

The first half of the movie doesn’t impress at all. The episode of Lava Kumar and Raashi Khanna tests patience. Till Jai character appears in the interval, the scenes go on and on without much entertainment or excitement. The main element of the story is reserved for the second half. Post interval, the movie offers some good moments. There is interesting emotional conflict in the end, which has worked to some extent. Jai, Lava and Kusa are performing a stage play and Jai bursting out on the stage is nice. The final moments have made up for many drawback.

More than the story, the movie is all about NTR in triple roles. This is another show reel of NTR’s acting prowess. He has proved his acting calibre many a time but this movie entirely belongs to him.

A dialogue goes in the movie - “whatever be the role, I am ready for it.” True, NTR gives his best shot in any role. In his maiden triple role, NTR towers in every sense. Even in the clunky parts of the movie, his performance makes enjoyable watch. NTR as Jai, the role designed on the lines of mythic character Raavan, is terrific. This ranks one of his best performance. 
 
The film has many heroines (Tamannah as item girl and Hansa Nandini as office seductress) but it primarily revolves around Raashi Khanna and Nivetha Thomas and both lack appealing factor. Bollywood actor Ronit Roy as villain is effective. Posani provides some comedy. Sai Kumar is good.
 
Music by Devi Sri Prasad lacks novelty but it serves the purpose of a masala movie. "Raavana" song is better on hearing than on the screen. The dance steps by NTR in "Tring Tring" song are delightful watch. The other song that is better on screen is "Nee Kallalona Katuka" shot on NTR and Nivetha. "Swing Zara" song seems to have been inspired heavily by "Deva Sree Ganesh" song from Bollywood film 'Agneepath'. 

Chota K Naidu’s cinematography is satisfactory though the lighting pattern is totally routine. The art work and action stunts are nothing special. Kotagiri and Thammiraju’s editing is racy in some parts and uneven in some parts. Production values work are neat. Some dialogues are good. Director Bobby has written a story that has lot of meat but his direction lacks effectiveness.

Bottom-line: 'Jai Lava Kusa' is NTR’s show totally from first episode to last scene. In particular, he has shown his acting caliber once again in the role of Jai. But the movie has uneven narration - some parts are good, some are cliched. Watch the movie for NTR’s absolutely brilliant performance.