Cast: Mahesh Babu, Tamannaah, Rajendra Prasad
Director: Srinu Vaitla
Producers: Ram Achanta, Gopichand Achanta, Anil Sunkara
Music Director: S.S.Thaman
Aagadu Telugu Movie Review and Rating: 3.25/5
The Most Awaited Telugu Movie of The Year, Aagadu is out in theaters now. Superstar Mahesh Babu and Sensational Director Srinu Vaitla have delivered blockbuster Dookudu in their first attempt. So the expectations on this Duo's second film were at peaks. Did Srinu Vaitla pull off another magical entertainer with Mahesh? Did Aagadu live up to the hype?
Story?
Encounter Shankar (Mahesh) takes charge as Circle Inspector in Bukkapatnam. He starts teaching a lesson or two to everybody that is doing illegal activities in that village. Shankar comes to know that he lost his brother because of the local rowdy (Sonu Sood). Now Shankar plays mind games with him and uses Dilli Babu (Brahmanandam) for that purpose.
Performances:
Mahesh Babu:
Mahesh Babu is a sheer delight to watch. He just rocked the screen with his superb screen presence and handsome looks. His attitude and dialogue delivery as arrogant cop is outstanding. He stole the show in each and every frame that he is present. His impeccable comic timing and body language will keep you entertained throughout the film. He has carried off the film on his shoulders in spite of average script. His dances come in as a surprise.
Tamanna:
Tamanna has a very limited role and has nothing to do except for dancing in the songs. She did well within her limitations.
Others:
Sonu Sood as the main villain is just okay. Brahmanandam makes an entry in the second half and his comedy works in parts. His dance sequence where he imitates NTR, Charan, Mahesh and Allu Arjun is funny. Rajendra Prasad has a dignified role and Nasser did an unusual character. Vennela Kishore, Raghu Babu, Posani Krishna Murali and others have done their bit. Shruti Haasan sizzled in the item song.
Technicalities:
Direction:
Srinu Vaitla tried to do something different from what he usually does. His efforts to move away from his regular template can be seen in the first half. However, he played it safe in the second half yet again by sticking to his formula. He is definitely not at his best in this film as a director and writer. There are glimpses of his brilliance seen here and there, but on a whole it is an under par performance from the star director.
Others:
Thaman's music is average. A couple of songs are well shot. Background Score is fine. Dialogues written by Upendra, Anil are impressive. Cinematography is topnotch. Editing is alright. Production values are superb. 14 Reels Entertainment has once again made a very lavish film.
Plus Points:
Mahesh Babu
Thaman BGM
Tamanah’s sweet’s add comedy, Posani’s MEP episode, Brahmanandham’s dance spoofs, Park scenes.
Few dialogues
All songs.
Interval confrontations between hero and villain.
Negative Points:
Weak story.
Too many dialogues.
Tamanah’s action in few scenes.
Dragged narration in second half.
No proper hero elevation scenes.
Vaitla’s regular confusing comedy track, which didn’t meet the expectations.
Analysis:
Aagadu takes off on a high note with a powerful introduction scene of the protagonist, followed by a fight and an introduction song. Starting scenes of Mahesh as cop are very good and gives the movie a promising start. However Srinu Vaitla failed to maintain the same tempo even for a span of fifteen minutes. The graph of the film goes up and down with a good scene followed by two bad scenes.
In spite of the fluctuations, first half of the film works because of Mahesh Babu's introduction scenes, his love track with Tamanna and Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu spoof. Second half opens by revealing the actual plot of the movie. Later Srinu Vaitla shifts into his own zone of confusing comedy. Brahmanandam and Mahesh Babu tries to keep the audience interested in between all that routine fuss.
Mahesh and Brahmi do provide some moments of fun, but we are too bored of this 'Dhee' formula. Srinu Vaitla should have opted for doing something fresh from this. Instead he chose to play safe, but he couldn't pull it off this time. He has completely relied upon Mahesh Babu and few comedy scenes to bail him out. You will come out disappointed if you are expecting something on the level of Dookudu. This film is very inferior to it and only works because of Mahesh. He should solely carry this film at the box office too.
Verdict: Mahesh's show All the Way. Good enough to entertain, but not completely.