Lucky The Racer [Race Gurram] - Malayalam Movie Review - Allu Arjun, Shruti Haasan

Crew

 Directed by     Surender Reddy
Produced by     Nallamalapu Srinivas (Bujji)
Dr. Venkateswara Rao
Written by     Vakkantham Vamsi
Music by     S. Thaman
Cinematography     Manoj Paramahamsa
Editing by     Goutham Raju
Studio     Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Productions
Distributor E4 Entertainment
Release dates  April 25, 2014

 Cast

    Allu Arjun as Lakshman (Lucky)
    Shruti Hassan as Spandana
    Shaam as Ram
    Tanikella Bharani
    Saloni as Swetha
    Ravi Kishan as Maddhali Siva Reddy
    Prakash Raj as Bheem Prakash
    Pragathi as Spandana's mother
    Pavitra Lokesh as Ram & Lakshman's mother
    Bramhanandam as Kill Bill Pandey
    Ali as Dr. Bali
    M. S. Narayana
    Raghu Babu
    Jaya Prakash Reddy
    Kota Srinivasa Rao
    Mukesh Rishi as Peddi Reddy
    Srinivasa Reddy
    Posani Krishna Murali as Govardhan
    Sayaji Shinde
    Debi Dutta in Item song

Lakshman aka Lucky and Raam are brothers who are at each others throat from their School time. Lucky grows up to be a our normal Telugu movie hero, No job [His ambition is to go to US and work there], boy next door, partying, dancing, bashing up goons etc while Ram grows upto be your typical 2nd hero/ Hero's brother Good, well educated, sophisticated, plus he is a Police Officer too. & as usual the paths of Hero and villains cross, Hero fell head over heels for our heroine at the very first sight and the rest of the story is how Hero ends up with heroine, bash up villains, patch up with brother and fly to America.

 'LTR' is your typical Telugu non-brainer mass masala entertainer, with a story (if there is one) that is ages old. But still the film works to a larger extent thanks to the packaging and tons of Humor embedded into the script. Plus most of the cast also did impressive job, to keep us entertained through most of its run time.

The film may not have 'logic' in most of the scenes, action sequences may be over the top, will break into songs unnecessarily every often, so it may not be your cup of tea if you are not accustomed Telugu brand mass movies. The scripting is what covers many of is flaws and it movies at rapid pace. In the 2nd half  the pace lags a bit, but with the into Kill Bill Pandey the movie reaches the crescendo. For the 20 mins or so following that, you may not really get sense of whats happening, but its damn sure that you will be clapping, whistling, screaming and even rolling on the floor laughing. One of the outrageously entertaining sequences in the recent memory. In that small run time Brahmanandam walks away with the trophy. 

Its a typical Allu Arjun mass vehicle where he has done everything to cater his fan base, especially kids and teenagers [in Kerala]. Those who expects jaw dropping dance moves might be slightly disappointed. He was good in Action, comedy sequences too, as always. Jis Joy, the voice of Mallu Arjun did a neat job, but the 'Eeshwara' couldn't make the same impact as 'Devudaa'. The only thing striking about Shruti Hassan was her lips [Jobbed or Pumped like Anushka Sharma said?]. She has nothing much to do than the regular heroine of mass movies. Brahmanandam as I said before was a scream, brought down the entire house with his Kill Bill Pandey act. Ravi Kishan was able to bring some difference to the villain act. Shaam got a good role after a long time and he was convincing. Posani Krishna Murali rocked in the short role. Think Prakash Raj should stop doing such an unimportant roles (May be to fund his 'Duet Movies').

Direction was good, packaged the whole film without giving people much time to think. Scripting was efficient for a mass film. Dialogues were okay. Music was good, even though the Malayalam lyrics were laughable as always. Background score was superb, especially the Lucky theme and Kill Bill Pandey theme. Cinematography was okay, editing was perfect.

In all if you are a fan of Allu Arjun movies or like Telugu mass movies, you won't be disappointed with 'Lucky The Racer' aka Race Gurram.

Rating: 2.75/5

Verdict: Above Average

Box Office: Telugu version is already a Blockbuster and Allu's biggest hit ever. LTR has taken a superb opening across Kerala too, looks like will end up Allu's biggest hit in Kerala too.

Zanjeer - Kerala Release Paper AD with Theater (Screens) List

Zanjeer - Kerala Release (Malayalam) Posters

 Zanjeer - Kerala Release (Malayalam) Posters

Hindi version of the film releasing in Kerala on September 6th - No Malayalam dub 

 

BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG : Movie Review

Thursday, July 11, 2013 BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG : Exclusive Movie Review 

Direction by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

Written by Prasoon Joshi

Produced by Viacom 18 / Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy 

Stars : Farhan Akthar, Divya Dutta, Pawan Malhotra, Prakash Raj, Yograj Singh & Sonam Kapoor 

Movie Review by Sree Prasad Nair

 Theater – Grand Al Mariah Cinemas, Abu Dhabi, UAE 

11/07/2013 – 10pm 

Occupancy – 70% 

Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is known for his National Award Winning Movie, Rang De Basanti. He debuted in 2006 with Aks and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is his fourth film as director. But except Rang De Basanti, his other films were flops at the box office. The story of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is written by lyricist Prasoon Joshi. He was also the script writer of Om Pakash's last movie, Delhi6. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is the sixth film of Farhan Akthar as an actor & his second film as a solo hero after Karthik Calling Karthik in 2010. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag also stars Divya Dutta, Pawan Malhotra, Prakash Raj, Yograj Singh, Sonam Kapoor, Meesha Shafiv & Rebecca Breeds. 

Story 

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is a bio pic film based on the life of former Indian athlete Milkha Singh. Milkha Singh was born in Pakistan. He lost his parents in the riots that followed the Indo-Pak partition. He wanted to join the Indian Army. And he joined the EME Centre in Secunderabad in 1951, where his talent as an athlete was discovered. After joining, he paid special attention towards athletics and began training for a 400 meters race. In a very short period of time, Milkha Singh emerged as a

world-class athlete in a country which was known for its poverty and backwardness. He succeeded in establishing a new record for a 400 meters race, which earned him great prestige and fame. 

Positives 

Last week we witnessed the best acting of 2013 by a female star in Sonakshi Sinha's Lootera and this week it's the turn of male actor Farhan Akthar. Farhan as Milkha Singh is extraordinary. It's not easy for a director like Farhan to get into the role of Indian Sports Legend. But his acting is pure magic. From his hairstyle to physique to body language to expressions, Farhan Akthar delivers a power packed performance. Hats off to his hard work, commitment and dedication. Easily the best acting of 2013 by a male star.., Best Actor Awards are waiting for you Mr.Farhan...

Another pluspoint is the supporting cast of the movie. Divya Dutta is outstanding as Milkha Singh's sister. Watch out for the scene where she recieve young Milkha Singh at the Refugee Camp. Special26, Gippi, Lootera & now Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Divya dutta is on a roll this year.

Yograj Singh (Father of Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh) is brilliant as India's coach. A solid screen presence and acted his role with confidence. Pawan Malhotra excels as Milkha's senior. Flawless performance. Prakash Raj was excellent in a brief role. I would like to mention the young 'Jabtej Singh' for his fantastic acting as Young Milkha Singh.

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's direction is good. Prasoon Joshi's story is strictly OK! Cinematography by Binod Pradhan' is of international standard. 

Negatives 

Just like the plus points, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag has its minus points too. Infact many flaws. The main problem with the film is the running time of a huge 3hour 15 mins with damn slow paced theme. Many many scenes are unwanted especially the complete romantic part between Farhan Akthar & Sonam Kapoor and Farhan & Rebecca Breeds. The story of the film is not connected at all, often shifts to Milkha's childhood to romantic track between Farhan & Sonam! Big Let Down! 

Sonam Kapoor is wasted. The actress just had her second hit (in 6 years career) Raanjhanaa and appreciated for her acting. But in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, she only had 2-3 dialogues! Same for Australian actress Rebecca Reeds & Paskitan actress Meesha Shafi, only for 2-3 scenes! No need of the Slow Motion Angreza song & the dancing scenes of Prajash Raj with Army officers. Dilip Tahil as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru is horribly wasted. 

Another setback for the film is the poor music & back ground score. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's last two films Delhi6 and Rang De Basanti had super hit music by A R Rahman. But this time Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy composed the music for the film. O Rangrez & Zinda are my favorite songs. Also the placement of 2-3 songs in the film are very poor. Farhan Akthar should improve his dancing skills. Choreography was lame.

Overall Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is a mixed Bag! The film is not at all a great tribute to Indian Legend Milkha Singh. A strictly average move targeted for class audience. But don’t have much takers in Single Screens. At the box office film is all set to have an average opening at the multiplexes(expected). An opening of 5-8crore with a weekend of 20-22cr weekend is on the cards and will be an average film at the box office.

P:S: 2013's Best Actor Award = Farhan Akthar for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 

Verdict - Milkha Is Flying, But Film Is Walking!!! 

Rating - 3/5! Average !!! 

Box Office Prediction - 45cr+ 

This Reviewer can be contacted on Twitter : @i_spn : https://twitter.com/i_spn