Mahatma Movie Review

Movie : Mahatma
Rating: 3.5/5
Cast : Srikanth, Bhavana, Jayaprakash Reddy, Uttej, Parachuri Venkateshwara Rao, Ahuti Prasad and Brahmanandam etc.,
Directed by : Krishna Vamsi
Produced by : C R Manohar
Banner : Golden Lion Films
Music : Vijay Anthony
Release Date : 2009-10-09
Srikanth's 100th film Mahatma is a hard-hitting film targeted against the current politics, films and media. Story: Dasu (Srikanth) is a Rowdy, who leads his life from the money he earns through settlements. But, he is good at heart. Neelaveni(Bhavana) is a lawyer. She resques Dasu, whenever he was in trouble. Das and Krishnaveni fall in love, but their ideologies conflict. Das joins the gang of MLA Dada (Jayaprakash Reddy). Dada uses him for his own political ends. Dasu finally realizes how selfish Dada is when he tries to seeze and get hold of the poor people's lands in order to facilitate the construction of Fab city. And Dasu decides to enter into the political arena by contesting in the elections against Dada as an MLA. Krishnaveni tries to reform Dasu, and directs him to follow the principles of Mahatma Gandhi(Peace and Non-violence). At one point of time, he gets inspired from the principles of the father of the nation. And how he implements them forms the rest of the story. Performances: Srikanth: Mahatma is a undoubtedly a landmark film in Srikanth's career. He is outstanding and his performance will tear you up, especially as a Rowdy. Srikanth stages a comeback of sorts with his rather intense and well-portrayed role. Bhavana: Bhavana comes up with decent performance. She looks gorgeous in "Neelapuri Gaula O Neelaveni" song. Jaya Prakash Reddy as politician is an apt choice to the role and he does complete justice to it. Bramhanandam comedy tract raises few laughs. Ahuthi Prasad is adequate. Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao and Uttej are just Okay. Charmy's item song adds to the glamour quotient of the film. Plus Points: Srikanth screen presence(Performance + 100th film) Direction(first-half) Dialogues Strong theme Minus Ponts: Second Half Too preachy Technical Departments: Krishna Vamsi certainly deserves appreciation. With Mahatma, he has touched a subject that no director would have dared to. Though this film is made to represent the patriotic action film genre, Krishna Vamsi tried injecting all other genre elements too. Screenplay is good. Cinematography is not up to the mark. Dialogues in the film are excellent and thought provoking. Lyrics by Seetharama Sastry are good, especially in the song "Indiramma inti peru kadhu ra Gandhi". Music and Rerecording of the film are good. Picturization of "Neelapuri Gaula O Neelaveni" song is pleasant. Analysis: The first-half of the film is good and entertaining. The second-half falls a bit and the climax is predictable. The film works to some extent because of the wonderful performances from the actors, excellent direction and gripping narration in the first half. Verdict: The film is worth a watch for its brave attempt to paint picture of the Mahatma Gandhi's - the father of our nation on screen, which we could only get in our history books.