'Kathi' Review: Thumbs Down

[prince143]

[img]http://www.greatandhra.com/newphotos/katti_rev11289567136.jpg[/img]

Film: Kalyan Ram Kathi
Rating: 2.5/5
Banner: NTR Arts
Star: Nandamuri Kalyanram, “Kick” Shyam, Saranya Mohan, Sana Khan, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Ajay, Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam, Venu Madhav, Chandramohan, Brahmanandam, Ahuti Prasad, Raghu Babu, Telangana Shakuntala, Jhansi etc.
Dialogues: M Ratnam
Story: Vakkantham Vamsi
Music: Mani Sarma
Fights: Ram Lakshman
Camera: Sarvesh Murari
Editor: Gautam Raju
Producer: Kalyan Ram
Screenplay and Direction: Mallikarjun
Released on: November 12, 2010

Stories based on brother-sister relationship have always fascinated the Telugu film industry. Right from legendary N T Rama Rao to Jr NTR, every hero has done at least one film based on the sister sentiment theme, as if they felt there would be a void in their career if they do not act in such a film. Even heroes like Pavan Kalyan and Mahesh Babu who prefer to do variety roles also could not escape from this sister-sentiment.

So, Kalyan Ram also has been carried away by this sentiment by deciding to make a film based on the “blood relation” theme under the banner named after his grandfather. Having failed to draw success in the industry despite making relentless efforts, Kalyan Ram made yet another attempt to taste the success with this film. All his earlier films had bombed at the box office and let us find out whether his latest “Kathi”  (of course, the title has been hijacked from others) will bring him any luck.

Story:
Ramakrishna (Kalyan Ram) dreams of becoming a big soccer player, thereby making India proud. He belongs to a big joint family and his youngest sister Haritha (Saranya Mohan), a naughty girl, always creates troubles for him with her pranks. Since Ramakrishna has a lot of affection towards his sister, he always protects her from incurring the wrath of family elders.

The twist in the story comes in the form of sudden disappearance of Haritha. A few days later, she is spotted being chased by her husband (Kick Shyam), along with his goondas who were attempting to kill her.

Ramakrishna saves his sister and then, he comes to know that Shyam had trapped her into love affair and married her only to take revenge on her for slapping him in the past. Unable to bear the torture from him and his family members, Haritha runs away from them. Ramakrishna does not want to take his sister back to his home, as his family members always find fault with her. So, he wants to prove that her choice was correct; therefore, decides to bring a change in his brother-in-law.

What he does for that and how he restores the family of his sister forms the rest of the story.

Performances
Kalyan Ram has definitely missed the logic, as the films based on this sister sentiment theme were just average runs. And still, he tried to travel on the beaten track. In a way, he failed as an actor as well as producer.

Kick Shyam is comfortable in his role with his single expression; Saranya Mohan has once again proved that she is suitable only for sister roles; and Sana Khan has nothing to do except being an inevitable heroine in the film. Kota Srinivasa Rao has given an excellent performance.

As regards story, there is no substance in it and dialogues of Ratnam lacked punch. Mani Sarma’s music is once again disappointing. As regards director Mallikarjun, the less said the better.

Analysis:
"Kathi" follows the hackneyed formula of providing entertainment in the first half and emotion in the second half. But the formula has not clicked here: the first half is not so entertaining, if not boring and falls flat with the missing of hero’s sister. The football player, who spends time chatting with girl friend Sana Khan and at times bashing the baddies, finds his “goal” when he decides to set right his sister’s disturbed life. But the goal misses the post as the hero chooses the wrong route.

The director has lost the track as to how to take the story forward and one fine morning, reaches a predictable climax.

There is no stuff in the first half and it looks like a patch work of scenes. Some interest is generated as the film reaches interval with the missing of Saranya. But as the film enters the second half, the audience loses interest as the hero chooses rear entry to deal with the villains. He follows the “Dhee” formula, joins the villain gang and starts praising them. Viewers who expect some “sharp” action from “Kathi” are surprised to see him playing a soft and comedy character. And the way “brother-in-law” gets transformed with a couple of emotional scenes, irritates the audience. Amidst all this sentimental drama enters a hardcore villain called Ajay from nowhere, only to be bashed up by the hero.

The sudden turn of events in the drama with the entry of Kota Srinivasa Rao’s old rivals into the scene make the audience realize that the film is reaching the climax. It does not surprise us as we are eagerly waiting for the film to come to an end.

[chowdary9]

KHALEJA ... PLEASE DON'T WATCH..

Movie: Khaleja
Rating: 2.5/5
Banner: Sri Kanakaratna Movies
Cast: Mahesh Babu, Anushka, Prakashraj, Rao Ramesh, Shafi, Ali, Sunil, Brahmi, Subbaraju, Tanikella, Raghu Babu, M S Narayana, Dharmavarapu, Amit, Veda etc
Music: Mani Sharmaa
Cinematography: Yash Bhatt, Sunil Patel
Editing: Sreekar Prasad
Story, screenplay, direction, dialogues: Trivikram Srinivas
Producers: Singanamala Ramesh, C Kalyan
Release date: 07/10/2010

Mahesh Babu is back after a hiatus and the expectations have been high on this ‘Khaleja’. Given the title controversy, the mileage was sufficient.

Story
Sitarama Raju (Mahesh) is a taxi driver who comes to Rajasthan searching for a person’s family. He chances upon Gemini TV person (Sunil) and reveals his story of coming there.

This also includes his encounters with Subhashini (Anushka) whose presence brings in bad luck and loss. On the other hand, there is Siddhappa (Shafi) who is sent by his guru (Rao Ramesh) in search of a god sent man who can protect the village from a death threat and extinction.

One thing happens after the other and Sitarama Raju comes across Siddhappa who believes that Raju is the man. Meanwhile, Subhashini’s father (Tanikella) is planning to get her engaged to the son of GK (Prakashraj) who has got a motive behind it. How are all these people connected and what happens after that forms the rest of the story.

Performances
Mahesh Babu is a complete show stealer in the film. He is highly energetic and his dialogue delivery stands apart. Unlike his regular mild approach with one liners, he rolls out flurry of words and entertains. As for his looks, he is handsome as ever and has made his presence felt strongly.

Anushka looks gorgeous and special focus has been made on her legs when it comes to dialogues. Her screen chemistry with Mahesh was neat and not much of a skin show from her this time.

Prakashraj was brief and he did his bit as required. Perhaps the etching of his character should have been more powerful. That would have given strength to the villain image and good climax.

The comedy track of Ali, Sunil gave few laughs. Brahmi was funny at few places, Tanikella was elegant, Subbaraju made his presence felt, Rao Ramesh was excellent, Shafi was impressive, Dharmavarapu and M S were brief. The others did their bit as required.

Analysis:
“One who lives for his own self is considered to be dead. One who lives for others with unselfishness and love live forever” – Swami Vivekananda

This is the crux of the movie that knocks the doors of every heart.

How GK (Prakash Raj) leads his life with selfishness and how he breathes his last with pain and grief.
How the villager Sidhdhappa (Shafi) holds faith in God and dies a painless death with pride filled eyes.
How Raju (Mahesh) manifests God in himself with unselfishness and true love for others.
The above three aspects build the ulterior message in the film. There is a symbolic scene of man’s connection with God which holds conviction. When our hero asks for Rs 10 for himself, his wish will not be fulfilled. And when he asks the same Rs 10 with a wish to feed a hungry boy, the donor gives him Rs 100 and goes. Only unselfishness can see the bountiful God. Mahesh Babu says in a dialogue here, “I understood God. He is not hiding anywhere. He is there in every heart. He fulfils wishes only when asked for the well being of others. What the hell Rs 100 when asked for Rs 10…he will shower even lakhs and crores”. This message is packaged and delivered with all commercial elements.

The interesting part of the film is that hero never fights for his selfish possessiveness on heroine. He never fights to gain supremacy on villains. He fights only for the lives of others. Hence he becomes God.

But how Trivikram dealt his narration in bringing this story on to celluloid? How the aspects those really matter for the success of the movie are placed? The music is good but only ‘sada siva sanyasi…’ is truly hitting the senses of audiences. That number takes position-1 among all the songs.  ‘Makathika maya maschindra..’ is ok to some extent. The song on Lord Krishna sounds good. Others are mundane. Background score is average.

First half is dealt with humor and the actual story starts only after 1 and half hours. Mahesh Babu made the movie hilarious with his typical dialogue delivery never seen before. Second half has some real material. Humor element continues here as well. But emotion elements are forced but not convincing enough. Trivikram seems to have inspired by ‘Magadheera’ with Rao Ramesh’s part. Brahmanandam has got very small role. Sunil entertained very well. Anushka’s iron-body characterization is also interesting.

Coming to screenplay, that is a bit complicated. Audiences find it a bit difficult to get connected. The introduction shot of Mahesh Babu is weak. The dialogues are good but here and there missed the grip and not up to the expectation. But on a whole the Trivikram-factor worked for this.

To sign off, watch the movie at your leisure, get entertained and also try to take some message into your life that can bring in some change in you and society.

Bottom-Line: Watch it without expectations

[syeddon]

Hangu ratri yemana nidra lo bayapadava..
ani mental mental post lu vestunav. !q# !q#
neeku emaindi eeroju...


sarey kani kathi links untey eevu seriously

[chowdary9]

[quote author=mafiadon link=topic=119997.msg1309136#msg1309136 date=1289645991]
Hangu ratri yemana nidra lo bayapadava..
ani mental mental post lu vestunav. !q# !q#
neeku emaindi eeroju...


sarey kani kathi links untey eevu seriously
[/quote]

prince gadu bond gadi tammudu.. aadu mahesh fan .. anduke aadu vachadu ante nenu anni anti mahesh post le vesthanu  sHa_fr1ends sHa_fr1ends

[syeddon]

[quote author=Hangover link=topic=119997.msg1309660#msg1309660 date=1289659486]
prince gadu bond gadi tammudu.. aadu mahesh fan .. anduke aadu vachadu ante nenu anni anti mahesh post le vesthanu  sHa_fr1ends sHa_fr1ends
[/quote]
avuna mama..  sHa_fr1ends sHa_fr1ends
nuvvunu bond eedaru mundu nunchi friends ah



sarey kani kathi print vachinda..
ma vullo cnema release ava ledu..

[chowdary9]

[quote author=mafiadon link=topic=119997.msg1309679#msg1309679 date=1289659756]
avuna mama..  sHa_fr1ends sHa_fr1ends
nuvvunu bond eedaru mundu nunchi friends ah



sarey kani kathi print vachinda..
ma vullo cnema release ava ledu..
[/quote]

friends enti ... bond gadu naaku bavamaridi.. maa mavayya valla abbai  sHa_fr1ends sHa_fr1ends

[syeddon]

[quote author=Hangover link=topic=119997.msg1309737#msg1309737 date=1289660689]
friends enti ... bond gadu naaku bavamaridi.. maa mavayya valla abbai  sHa_fr1ends sHa_fr1ends
[/quote]
oh eedaru bava bavamardula..
bagundi mama...

pamily pamily DB ni akraminchukunara amma

[chowdary9]

[quote author=mafiadon link=topic=119997.msg1309793#msg1309793 date=1289661554]
oh eedaru bava bavamardula..
bagundi mama...

pamily pamily DB ni akraminchukunara amma
[/quote]

@3$% @3$% @3$%