Release Date : October 19, 2023
cinemaabazar.com Rating : 3.25/5
Starring: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sreeleela, Arjun Rampal, P. Ravi Shankar, R. Sarathkumar, Raghu Babu
Director: Anil Ravipudi
Producers: Harish Peddi, Sahu Garapati
Music Director: S Thaman
Cinematographers: C. Ramprasad
Editor: Tammiraju
Natasimha Nandamuri Balakrishna and successful director Anil Ravipudi have teamed up for a mass entertainer titled “Bhagavanth Kesari.” The movie hit screens today amid high expectations. Delve into our review to see how it fares.
Story:
Nelakonda Bhagavanth Kesari (Balakrishna) wishes Vijaya Lakshmi, aka Viji (Sreeleela), to become strong and brave. He wants her to join the Indian Army for a solid reason. However, Viji has no interest in it. Meanwhile, Rahul Sanghvi (Arjun Rampal) pursues her for a compelling reason. What motivates his pursuit of Viji? What is the connection between Bhagavanth Kesari and Viji? Did Bhagavanth have a prior connection with Rahul Sanghvi? Did Viji join the Army? All these questions will be answered in the movie.
Plus Points:
After delivering two super hits, Akhanda and Veera Simha Reddy, Nandamuri Balakrishna returns with an intriguing role that is well-suited for his age, allowing him to deliver a strong performance. He seamlessly fits the character and delivers impressive mass and punch dialogues in the Telangana dialect, showcasing his exceptional dialogue delivery skills.
Sreeleela shines in her role as Viji, displaying decent acting skills, particularly in emotional scenes. Her participation in action sequences alongside Balakrishna adds to the film’s appeal, and her combination scenes with him are enjoyable to watch.
Anil Ravipudi effectively blends mass elements with an emotional drama centered around a fatherly figure and a lady. This time, he doesn’t rely heavily on comedy, considering NBK’s stardom.
Thaman, once again, demonstrates his prowess in enhancing action and emotional scenes with his powerful background score.
Minus Points:
The story is somewhat predictable and lacks depth. The director reveals most of the plot in the first half, leaving little room for surprises in the second half. The second half relies on flashback portions, which don’t strongly support the narrative.
The second half could have been better written, with more engaging scenes to maintain the audience’s interest. Unfortunately, several scenes in the second half may feel tedious.
Balakrishna’s look showcased in the promotional content looks good and suits him, but he somehow appears odd in another getup kept under wraps for the theatrical experience. Anil Ravipudi should have shown this avatar in a better way.
Kajal Aggarwal’s role adds little value to the movie and her scenes with Balakrishna lack impact. Anil Ravipudi’s signature comedy scenes are fewer in this film.
Arjun Rampal makes his Tollywood debut with this movie, and he is somewhat okay but not great. However, Anil Ravipudi could have portrayed him in a more villainous manner.
Although the action sequences are watchable, they could have been more convincing, especially in the climax. The VFX falls short of expectations, and more attention should have been paid to its quality.
Technical Aspects:
Anil Ravipudi made a commendable effort to present Balakrishna in a role that suits his age, but a stronger focus on the story and screenplay in the second half could have significantly benefited the film.
Thaman’s score shines in elevating emotional and action sequences. Editing and cinematography are well done, and the production values are satisfactory.
Verdict:
On the whole, Bhagavanth Kesari delivers an engaging blend of action and emotional drama, fueled by finest performances from Balakrishna and Sreeleela. Their combo scenes are a delight to watch, especially in emotional scenes. However, a sluggish second half and occasional unnecessary scenes do challenge the film’s overall pacing. Balakrishna’s compelling screen presence and impactful dialogues provide a treat for fans. You can confidently choose to watch this film during the weekend for an enjoyable cinematic experience.
