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.

Issaq : Exclusive Movie Review

Thursday, July 26, 2013 Issaq : Exclusive Movie Review

Direction by Manish Tiwary

Produced by Dhaval Gada/Shailesh R. Singh

Music by Sachin-Jigar/Krsna/Sachinn Gupta 

Stars : Prateik Babbar, Amyra Dastur, Ravi Kishan, Makarand Deshpande & Prashant Narayanan

Movie Review by Sree Prasad Nair Theater – Grand Al Mariah Cinemas, Abu Dhabi, UAE 26/07/2013 – 1.15am Occupancy – 5% (Big Shock) 

Issaq is the second film of director Manish Tiwary after the not-so-succesful Dil Dosti Etc. Prateik Babbar is the hero of the film. Prateik made a fantastic entry with his first two films, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na & Dhobi Ghaat. 20 year old Amyra Dastur makes debut with Issaq. Issaq also stars Ravi Kishan, Makarand Deshpande, Prashant Narayanan, Evelyn Sharma, Malini Awasthy & Neena Gupta 

Story 

The story of Issaq is based on the famous Shakespeare play Romeo- Juliet! The story of Issaq revolves around the two lovers who are born to hate each other as their families are arch rivals of each other. Progressing as how they eventually fall in love with each other. An adaptation of Romeo and Juliet set in the backdrop of Varanasi in the UP heartland, complete with naxalism, sand mining mafia and of course the timeless love story. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet ends in tragedy. Will Issaq offer any hope? NO WAY!!! 

Negatives 

The problems with Issaq are countless. Agreed it's an adaptation of Romeo-Juliet play, still the story borrows heavily from last year hit 'Ishaqzaade', especially the basic premise of the film.There are too many songs (1 minute songs) in the narrative, one after every 15mins in the second half. The story refuses to move in the first hour itself. All that the lead pair does is talk, talk and more talk. With Prashant Narayanan making a dramatic entry, you expect some movement in the story. But no change! Climax is really predictable & very weak. Not only has it been stretched endlessly, even the connection to the story is powerless. Director Manish Tiwary is helpless with a poor script. He tried to compensate with superb visuals and locations of Varanasi. But nothing can compensate for a good content/story.The story of the film is not connected!

Prashant Narayanan is totally miscasted, infact wasted! The actor had terrific roles in his previous films like Murder2, BhindiBazaar & Yeh Saali Zindagi! But in Issaq he had 5-6 scenes/dialogues with 'Lal Salaam' most of the times. 

Positives 

The only saving grace is debutant Amyra Dastur. I'm not telling her acting is extra ordinary. But considering Issaq as her first movie, she is without doubt the real star of the film. This 20 year old got good screen presence and dependable performance that you carry home once the film has ended. A sincere debut!

Prateik Babbar's acting is good in parts. No where near to his outstanding performances, likes of Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na/Dhobi Ghaat! Ravi Kishan is brilliant. Infact the first half belongs to him. Flawless performance. Makarand Deshpande, Malini Awasthy and Neena Gupta are okay. Evelyn Sharma is good in a limited role.

Cinematography by Vishal Sinha is very good. Dramatic value is excellent. Music is decent. Issaq Tera & Aag Ka Dariya are the best songs. Background score by Prashant Pilla is average.

Overall Issaq is a huge disappointent with only Amyra Dastur's acting as saving grace. But her brilliant acting can't save Issaq! At the box office film will be a sure shot disaster. 

P:S: Watch it for Amyra Dastur's acting 

Verdict - ISSAQ SUCKS!!! 

Rating - 2/5! Disaster!!! 

Box Office Prediction - 10cr This Reviewer can be contacted on Twitter : @i_spn : https://twitter.com/i_spn