Prati Roju Pandaage - Movie Review

What’s it about?
Ramesh (Rao Ramesh) can’t live without his son Sai (Sai Tej) for a single day. But he happily lives in the USA, far away from his father Raghuramaiah, can’t even spare a week to visit India. One day, Ramesh comes to a call from his father informing him that he’s diagnosed with cancer and his days are numbered. Sai immediately leaves for Rajamundry to spend time with his grandfather. Sai celebrates every day so that his grandfather can live happily in his last days. Ramesh, his brothers, and sister who live in various places also follow Sai a few weeks later. But things don’t go as planned. 

Analysis
‘Prati Roju Pandaage’, the latest outing from director Maruthi, begins with a voiceover by the director. “This is a very regular story, a story that we all know, a story that is hidden in our daily lives,” the director’s voice tells the audience as the title cards play on. When the director himself confesses that it is a predictable story, there is nothing much to complain about the regular script. ‘Prati Roju Pandaage’ is a routine family drama that we have seen many times wherein the protagonist will make his uncles, his father and aunts realize their mistakes and know the value of family bonding. 

What Sharwanand had done in ‘Shatamanam Bhavati’, Sai Tej does here with more heroic sequences. The film is filled with good entertainment. Maruthi’s strength is showing comedy. And he exhibits it in the first half. The way he designed the characterization of Raashi Khanna proves Maruthi’s style. There are many funny sequences. Dialogues like “Ee rojullo ammayilu andaru tama perlaki oka toka tagilinchukuntunnaru..angel arna, lovely lavanya, smiley swapna” are funny.

However, as the film progresses, the comedy scenes pave way for regular drama. The sequence of Ramakrishna Thota and the subsequent episode is clichéd and has killed the mood. 
But ‘Prati Roju Pandaage’ is more about the celebration of one’s last days and family bonding. Maruthi has succeeded in establishing this for the most part but he should have taken care in the final portions. 

Sai Dharam Tej has decently played a simple role. Sathya Raj as a grandfather is the main pillar of the story. Rao Ramesh once again shines in a father’s role with his hilarious antics and dialogue delivery. Raashi Khanna has nailed the role of a girl obsessed with TikTock videos.

The film has rich production design and neat technical values. Cinematography is pleasant. Thaman’s composition of the title song deserves special mention. ‘Baava’ song is also good.

Bottom-line: ‘Prati Roju Pandaage’ is a regular story of family bonding. The aspect of celebrating one’s last days with fun and joy by spending time with family members is the only novelty factor. Despite predictability and clichéd climax portions, the film makes a decent watch with its entertainment.