Sarileru Neekevvaru - Movie Review

What’s it about!

Ajay Krishna (Mahesh Babu) is a major in the Indian army. One of their officers Ajay (Sathyadev) gets injured in an encounter with the terrorists, and the army officials send Ajay Krishna to Kurnool to pass the message of the injured officer’s condition to his mother. Ajay’s mother is a professor Bharathi (Vijayashanthi) who lives with her three daughters. By the time Ajay Krishna reaches Kurnool, Bharathi has already landed in huge trouble caused by a local politician (Prakash Raj). What happens next? 

Analysis

A lengthy hilarious comedy sequence? Check.
Catchphrases? Check.
Perfect mass-moments? Check.
Hero fighting for another person’s cause? Check.

From his first film ‘Pataas’ to the recent blockbuster ‘F2’, Anil Ravipudi has been using these elements religiously. He has checked all those boxes for his latest movie - ‘Sarileru Neekevvaru’ starring Mahesh Babu. Since this film starred a superstar, he has expanded the canvas for the story but his trademark elements are the same.

The film begins introducing the character of Vijayashanthi, a professor in a medical college who never ticks a wrong as the right. Mahesh Babu’s army major role is introduced a bit later. Thus the director has given enough importance to Vijayashanthi who is making comeback to films after a gap of 15 years.

The film’s core strength lies in its middle-portion. Here’s a mother who sent her two sons to the army and one of them had already died serving the country and the other’s battling for life. On the other hand, a dirty politician has made her lose self-respect. Now it is the protagonist’s responsibility to fight on behalf of her. This portion is the main strength of ‘Sarileru Neekevvaru’ and the director has handled them well.

The scene between Mahesh Babu and Vijayashanti just before the ‘Sarileru Neeekevvaru anthem’ song is also touching. However, the rest of the drama is nothing but regular commercial packaging. The villain’s characterization (played by Prakash Raj) is so bad. Plus, the weak climax and lengthy comedy episode on a train journey are a turn-off.

Coming to performances……after portraying serious characters in the recent films like ‘Srimanthudu’, ‘Maharshi’ and ‘Bharat Ane Nenu’, Mahesh Babu has done a role that offered him to go full throttle in expressions. From comedy to action to dances, he is unrestrained. He has performed with abandon. 

Vijayashanthi in her comeback has got a role that is perfectly suited for her onscreen image. 

“Never Before Ever After” is the catchphrase that is constantly used by all the characters on various occasions like “Anthega Anthega” was used in the director’s previous hit ‘F2’. In ‘F2’, Mehreen has a peculiar mannerism and a catchphrase - ‘Honey is the Best’. Here, he has given ‘Meeku Artham Avuthonda’ dialogue to Rashmika to generate the fun but it falls flat. Rashmika is okay as the female lead. 

Prakash Raj’s performance is nothing to talk about. Bandla Ganesh in his comeback leaves no mark. Rao Ramesh, Sangeetha, Subbaraju and Vennela Kishore have played regular roles and some dialogues mouthed by Rao Ramesh about women are tasteless.

When Rathnavelu is behind the camera, one can expect rich visuals and the master cinematographer does it neatly but it is art director AS Prakash who deserves praise. He has recreated Kurnool’s Buruju in a set. The other sets are also realistic. Devi Sri Prasad’s music is in sync with the story. Filming of ‘Mind Block’ song will appeal to Mahesh Babu’s fans. He has danced with high energy, which will be a feast to his fans.

As a director, Anil Ravipudi has once again shown his strength lies in telling a story with commercial elements. But his screenplay, like always, is filled formulaic scenes.

Bottom line: ‘Sarileru Neekevvaru’ is a packaged commercial entertainer with all the mass-movie ingredients. Mahesh Babu’s fans will have a feast as the superstar has given his best in an unbridled mass avatar.