Radha - Movie Review

What's it about!

Radha Krishna (Sharwanand) is sent to a village in Warangal district as Sub Inspector of police where there is no crime. During his stint there, he falls in love with a beautiful village girl Radha (Lavanya) who is studying Engineering in Hyderabad. As luck would have it, he is transferred to Hyderabad few months later. In Hyderabad, he gets chance to meet Radha again as well his dream of nabbing criminals is also fulfilled. On the other hand, aging Chief Minister (Kota) declares that he is going to retire from politics and suggests two names - Ravi Kishan and Ashish Vidyarthi as next Chief Minister candidates. Ravi Kishan as Sujatha has evil plan but acts as clean person. A bomb explosion exposes Ravi Kishan aka Sujatha's true side and Radha Krishna loses his colleagues. How Radha Krishna exposes Sujatha's real side to the general public forms the rest of the drama.

Analysis

Police dramas have become a regular affair in Tollywood and most of them follow the same pattern. From story to treatment to hero's characterization, everything goes like it is a doctor's prescription, not much change. Sharwanand's 'Radha' has same story and conflict that we have seen in many films that based on this theme. What it tries to attempt is sugar coating this theme with entertainment. It largely succeeds in comedy department.

As I said, there is not much novelty in the storyline. It deals with a youth who wants to bring dignity to khaki dress and goes on the same manner that we have seen in other movies. The tricks that Sharwanand employs in dealing with villain are also from the bag of old movies. 

Sharwanand, the dependable actor that he has become now, tries to make the movie an entertaining watch. Even though, he is playing Khaki role for the first time, Sharwanand has done it in his style with likable frolics and dialogue delivery. His fun banter with Shakalaka Shankar and Sapathagiri's comedy track in the second half (spoof of "Nannaku Prematho) has worked out well. Rest of the movie is regular and predictable.

Sharwanand is the mainstay of the movie and he has come up with good performance throughout. Lavanya impresses in the role that has two shades - a village belle and Lady Gaga! Aksha appears as Rukmini in a cameo role. Shakalaka Shankar and Sapthagiri have done neat comedy. Sapathagiri sparkles again. Ravi Kishan as main villain is impressive. Senior actors Kota Srinivas Rao, Jaya Prakash Reddy, Ashish Vidyarthi and Tanikella Bharani have done what they do regularly.

Technical and production values are good. Music director Radhan shines. His songs are likable. Editing lacks sharpness as the movie runs on slow pace for most part and has lot of bulge for flimsy storyline. New director Chandramohan has shown his spark in handling comedy but the story and screenplay should have been better.

Bottom-line: 'Radha' is a typical commercial entertainer that doesn't offer anything new in the story or treatment and completely relies on Sharwanand's act. The actor doesn't disappoint. He has tried to float the movie with his entertaining antics. Saptagiri's comedy track in the second half also works. But still, the movie is a passable regular police story.