Rajanna Movie Review by Chaitanya Kumar Vummethala
December 27, 2011 1 Comment
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Until the lead character, Rajanna enters on the screen (almost after 1hr) the pace of the movie was at top notch – the baby Annie’s performance and the feel in the subject were highlight. Background Music composed by Keeravani, for every scene picturized on natural locations helped in building huge expectations on the later part of the movie. The director was pretty confident and clear on the story line, but has failed in narrating it with a perfect flow (without facing any hiccups) right from the Rajanna’s introduction scene. Though Rajanna’s story has contrast with that of Mallamma’s (baby annie’s), the introduction scene of Rajanna should be the best in the movie, elevating the power and force of Rajanna and the flow should continue till end. This was missing in the movie and the captain of the project lost a wonderful opportunity of bagging a super success with Rajanna for this single reason!
Production team: Executive Producer: Supriya Yarlagadda & Producer: Nagarjuna Akkineni
Artists Performances:
Cast: Nagarjuna, Annie, Sneha, Swetha Menon, Nassar, Mukesh Rushi, Pradeep Rawat, Ajay, Supreet, Shravan, Ravi Kale, Sammeta Gandhi, Hema and Telangana Sakuntala (Guest Appearance) etc.,
While Nagarjuna’s industry experience was not sufficient to do justice to the role of Rajanna and stood as a minus for the movie. Baby Annie (as Mallamma) will surely grab the Best debut performer award of the year (child actress) in tollywood, for her brilliant performance in the movie. Sneha’s performance as Lachumamma (wife of Rajanna) was OK, other supporting cast barring Swetha Menon (as Dorasaani, the lady villain), Nassar/Sir (as Music Teacher) no other supporting cast were out-performed.
First of all, the director needs to be appreciated for selecting such a script for his debut directorial movie. But for such a subject, the captain should have complete control over every single frame and dialogue of the movie and needs to have lot of conviction and command on every role he wants to portray, but he failed at the very first step of choosing the correct lead role for his project.
Especially When the story is based on such a powerful Razarkar Movement (early ages of Independance), he should prepare the script in a much powerful way with gripping narration. While the director almost succeeded narrating the second side of the story (Mallamma’s) in a compromizing way, the Rajakar fight which is the actual highlight of the story / movie remained pale!
In the first half of the movie, Vijayendra Prasad’s taking was brilliant and the way Gijigadu Song has shaped-up was mind blowing. With the brilliant support and contribution by Music and Cinematography teams (along with other technical departments), even the pace was controlled and the narration was very gripping. As the story revolves only around the little girl, she mesmerized all kinds of audience with her stunning performance. The much awaited scene (Rajanna’s introduction) has started with a powerful lyrics and song – Okka Kshanam, but without elevating the power of the lead character, Rajanna.
Second half started with little expectations on Rajanna’s past and history, but the director failed in controlling the subject apart from handling the Vey Vey Song (with the help of his son, Rajamouli), in a grand way. By the time it comes to the last fight with 200 Rajakars, the narration was already grounded the earth with almost zero clarity on what the director exactly wanted to show (keeping the first half of the story in mind) and there was no scope to elevate the actual scene with the senior actor (supported by 3 other freedom fighters) at such a weak situation. The flashback episode ends with that fight leaving a bit of confusion in a common auidence’s mind!
The little girl finally meeting the Prime Minister (Jawaharlal Nehru) and explaining the situation at her village, by escaping from Dorasaanamma’s custody with the help of her music master (Nassar) and grabbing the entire auditorium’s attention (including PM’s) with her song was also not a great conclusion (though the lyrics and the music were at top notch, at least climax should have been in more convincing way).
My rating for Rajanna is 3.25/5.