Movie Review: Guntur Kaaram (2024)
Release Date: January 12, 2024
Rating: 2.75/5
Cast: Mahesh Babu, Sreeleela, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Jagapathi Babu, Ramya Krishnan, Rao Ramesh, Vennela Kishore, and others
Director: Trivikram Srinivas
Producer: S. Radha Krishna
Music: Thaman S
Cinematography: Manoj Paramahamsa
Editor: Naveen Nooli
After 14 years, the much-awaited collaboration between Super Star Mahesh Babu and director Trivikram Srinivas finally hits the screens with Guntur Kaaram. This action-packed emotional drama has garnered high expectations from audiences, but does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into our review.
Storyline:
The plot centers around Vyra Vasundhara (Ramya Krishnan), who, after abandoning her son Veera Venkata Ramana (Mahesh Babu) at the age of 10 due to a tragic accident, rises to become a prominent Minister. To secure her political future, her father (Prakash Raj) pressures Ramana to sever all ties with his mother, Vasundhara, by signing a legal document. The story unfolds to reveal the mystery surrounding the accident, the impact on Ramana, his eventual decision, and whether a reunion between mother and son is possible.
Strengths:
- Mahesh Babu: As always, Mahesh Babu is the heart and soul of Guntur Kaaram. His portrayal of the rugged Veera Venkata Ramana is electrifying, with his powerful screen presence and the unique Guntur dialect adding layers to the character. His energy is infectious, making the film watchable for his fanbase.
- Prakash Raj: Known for his impeccable acting, Prakash Raj excels in his role as Mahesh Babu’s grandfather and the cunning politician. His performance adds significant value to the film, especially in scenes with Mahesh Babu.
- Ramya Krishnan: Although her screen time is limited, Ramya Krishnan leaves a lasting impression with her nuanced performance. Her character’s journey has a quiet yet strong emotional impact on the audience.
- Comedy: The banter between Mahesh Babu and Vennela Kishore provides genuine comedic relief, giving the audience some much-needed moments of laughter.
Weaknesses:
- Weak Narrative: Unfortunately, the film’s narrative is one of its major downfalls. Despite a promising premise, the screenplay falters, and the emotional moments fail to resonate deeply. The story struggles to maintain momentum, and the lack of depth in the script hinders its overall appeal.
- Underutilized Cast: Many talented actors, including Meenakshi Chaudhary, Rahul Ravindran, and Jagapathi Babu, are given very little to do. Their potential is wasted in a script that doesn’t fully leverage their skills.
- Pacing Issues: The film begins with promise but loses steam as it progresses, particularly in the first half. The second half, which could have been more impactful, ultimately falls flat, leaving the audience wanting more.
- Music: Though Thaman’s music doesn’t do justice to the expectations surrounding the film, the background score does its job. However, the songs and overall music composition don’t leave a lasting impression.
Technical Aspects:
- Direction and Writing: Trivikram Srinivas, known for his mastery of dialogues and storytelling, falls short in Guntur Kaaram. While the film has its moments, the writing and screenplay struggle to maintain the narrative’s emotional weight. A stronger script could have made all the difference.
- Cinematography: Manoj Paramahamsa’s cinematography adds visual appeal to the film, especially during the action sequences. The visuals are adequate, though not extraordinary.
- Editing: Editor Naveen Nooli could have trimmed the film to improve pacing. The film’s runtime feels stretched, with many scenes contributing little to the progression of the story.
Final Verdict:
In conclusion, Guntur Kaaram manages to entertain in parts, primarily due to Mahesh Babu’s stellar performance and his engaging presence. However, the film falters due to a weak storyline, lackluster emotional depth, and unnecessary subplots. While Mahesh Babu’s fans will find the film enjoyable for his portrayal of the character, the film may not appeal to everyone this Sankranti season. The film misses the mark in terms of delivering the emotional and engaging experience that audiences expected from this long-awaited collaboration.
If you are a fan of Mahesh Babu, Guntur Kaaram may still be worth a watch, but don’t expect a cinematic masterpiece.
