Shailaja Reddy Alludu - Movie Review
Film: Shailaja Reddy Alludu
Cast: Naga Chaitanya, Anu Emmanuel, Ramya Krishna, Naresh, Murali Sharma, Vennela Kishore, Prudhvi, and others
Music: Gopi Sundar
Cinematography: Nizar Shafi
Editor: Kotagiri
Art Director: Raveendar
Action: Venkat
Co-Producer: PDV Prasad
Producer: Naga Vamsi
Banner: Sithara Entertainments Banner
Written and directed by: Maruthi
Release date: Sep 13, 2018
CBFC Rating: U/A
What's it about!
Chaitanya (Naga Chaitanya) is a youngster who takes everything positively despite his rich father (Murali Sharma) is an egoist who doesn’t take no for anything. His father runs a successful company as chairperson while Chaitanya is the CEO. He falls for the charms of Anu (Anu Emmanuel) who just moves opposite to his villa. Anu is a pampered daughter of a rich woman. It takes many days and many funny attempts to love her. She finally starts loving him and the twist in the tale is that she is daughter of Shailaja Reddy (Ramya Krishna), an egoist leader from Warangal. Chaitanya also comes to know that Shailaja Reddy doesn’t talk to her daughter? What happens next forms the story.
Analysis
Director Maruthi has created a mark of his own in narration – telling the regular stories with some disorder in humorous way. He creates funny situations from the human disorders or habitual errors. In ‘Shailaja Reddy’, the basic premise is what if the protagonist who is son of an egoist person also falls in love with the woman also has attitude problems and her mother is also ego issues. On paper this sounds quite fun. Even the movie works quite well in the first half with good jokes and songs and a perfect interval bang.
However, Maruthi has not maintained the same tempo in the second half given the flimsy point. When the protagonist moves to his to-be mother-in-law’s house, the film runs on the regular thread of hero using all tricks to bridge the gap between mother and daughter (this thread is similar to many other movies and also the situations are also not new). Which is why despite Maruthi’s attempt to tell these portions with laughter don’t work much.
The pranic healing comedy episode consisting Prudhvi and Vennela Kishore is laugh riot in the second half but the later portions are not effective. The film needs some trimming in the second half. Yet, there are some moments that are quite good too in the parameters of commercial movie narration.
Naga Chaitanya has looked comfortable playing this role that required him to play to the galleries and he has got it right demeanour. Ramya Krishna in all important Shailja Reddy’s character steals the show with her spotless act. Her sequences with Anu Emmanuel who has played her daughter’s role have provided some fun moments. Anu as Anu has done justice.
Vennela Kishore once again puts in best put forward in comic act but it is Prudhvi as Manikyam has generated more laughs. Murali Sharma who generally pulls off any character with ease has done a role that is loud and garish. Naresh as Shailaja Reddy’s husband is neat.
After recent musical blockbuster ‘Geetha Govindam’, Gopi Sundar impresses once again with three songs - title song, ‘Egiregire’ and ‘Anu Baby’. Cinematography and production values are rich and have lent the movie bright look. Director Maruthi has played safe game mostly though he wrings emotions in the later part of the movie unlike usual style. His script is here on weak ground.
Bottom-line: ‘Shailaja Reddy Alludu’ is an average entertainer with some fun moments especially the Vennela Kishore Prudhvi’s comedy portion. With three catchy songs, the film makes an okay watch despite time-tested storyline, and regular moments.