Magadheera: Telugu Movie Review

Note: This review doesn’t contain spoilers.

Telugu Film Industry aka Tollywood has often faltered in its kazillion attempts to make films which are intriguing, spellbinding and spectacular. In the last few years perhaps the only film which had transcended all borders was “Bommarillu”. And in an industry where the success rate is less than 15% every year, the need for films which everyone can brag about is all the more necessary. This is exactly the reason why we crave for a blockbuster film year after year.This year we have had “Arundhati” which created some buzz. And most certainly, this week’s latest release starring Ram Charan Teja and Kajal, “Magadheera” directed by S S Rajamouli is the next addition to that list. In fact “Magadheera” tops that list of films which you can brag about this year!

“Magadheera” is a quintessential love story set in the kingdom of Udaygarh, in the year 1609 A.D between a warrior, Kalabhairava (Ram Charan Teja) and the princess, Mitra (Kajal) which ends on a sour note. And 400 years later they reincarnate in a different city. The rest of the story is about how they reunite and avenge their deaths.

The concept of eternal romance and reincarnation has often intrigued our Indian society and this curiosity has resulted in some cult classics like Janaki Ramudu (in Telugu) and other films. But what sets “Magadheera” apart from all other flicks is its resolve to narrate a story which not only oozes grandeur in each and every frame, but also in its conviction to set a benchmark for every other socio-fantasy and fantasy genre movie which Tollywood has in offing. S S Rajamouli, fresh from his socio-fantasy splendor-Yamadonga, taking a cue from films like 300, Prince of Persia etc., outsmarts himself with “Magadheera”! Surprisingly, he’s perhaps the only director in Tollywood today, who doesn’t have an “average” film to his credit till now. In his latest movie, he goes an extra mile and ensures that “Magadheera” is presented as an epic love story. The story penned by Vijayendra Prasad spans across two different time frames and that’s the film’s USP. It effortlessly transits from one time frame to another throughout its narration. But then, every Rajamouli’s movie has a curse! His films usually suffer from a bland ending. “Magadheera” starts off with a small snippet setting the tempo for rest of the story which flip flops between the present and the past. The warrior of the past is the 21st century Gen-Y stereotype who has a passion for bikes. And when his tryst with a mysterious girl brings him to the crossroads of his destiny, his sole aim now is to find the girl. The reason being, he believes that they have an eternal connection! Yes…it’s all so predictable! Yet, you wouldn’t move an inch away from your seat because Rajamouli has his uncanny ability to drive home the point that something spectacular is just around the corner. And what a stunning piece of spectacle it turns out to be…something which you wouldn’t have seen in Telugu films till this date.

For some reason, I believe Ram Charan Teja requires perhaps years to go before he fills in to his dad’s shoes. Apart from his dancing skills and fights, there’s nothing much to talk about this newbie at this point of time. Chirutha was a great canvas for his debut and with “Magadheera” he presents a different angle as well. Oh yes…he can act! Some of the best moments in this film are when he’s riding on his horse or when he’s slithering the enemy’s army with his sword! Woah…he can scream, a lot! A lot of credit for this should go to Rajamouli for extracting a powerful performance from Ram Charan Teja, especially in the latter’s role as Kalabhairava (although he doesn’t strike you like Maximus right from the word go!). The characterisation etched for both Harsha and Kalabhairava are so good that any good actor would have done a credible job. Maybe, Charan donning that role makes it more special. The movie’s biggest surprise and best kept secret is Kajal. The lovely lass is just 5 movies old in Telugu and we had no clue that she could act as well besides looking insanely gorgeous in all her movies. Her role in “Magadheera” especially as the confident young princess, Mitra clings on to you long after you walk out of the theatre. And Kajal’s zing as Indu is wonderfully captured on the camera. I wonder why most of the heroine’s introduction scenes have to be in the rains?!! This film might be the turning point in her career and it comes just about the right time for her. Among others in the cast, Dev Gil as Billa delivers a credible performance. Srihari is wasted in this movie, although he’s splendid as Sher Khan. Kim Sharma and Mumaith Khan did couple of item songs in this film. And of course, Chiranjeevi makes a special cameo…

S S Rajamouli since the days of “Student no.1” has been making waves when it comes to making commercial films. His films usually run on a formula where the tempo slowly rises, hits at a crescendo 5 minutes before the interval and whacks your brain with his awesome and spectacular flashback episodes and then everything falls flat when it comes to the climax! I have never seen a movie which doesn’t have a fight during the climax in any of his films so far. In “Magadheera” the buildup given for the crux of the story is so good that all you would end up doing is wait for the warrior to take on those reins and swing his sword! The flashes of a warrior racing across the desert come so frequently that we as audience don’t care about the bland comedy or any other scene which slackens the pace of the film! If you are wondering why so much hype about the movie, check out each and every frame of those 45 minute flashback episode! That’s good enough if you are searching for a reason why Allu Aravind and his banner Geeta Arts had to spend 45 crores and indulge the entire film unit for more than 250 days of film shooting and God knows how many meters of film reel! On the flip side, it does look very artificial in some scenes. Some of the stunts especially those involving too many ropes, hero falling from a cliff/helicopter, bike/jeep flying 50 feet into air remind us of some blasphemous scenes from movies like Vijayendra Varma, Okka Magadu! But then it’s a Rajamouli product and you are not allowed to question the genuineness of those scenes. All in all, under the given circumstances and budget maybe this was the best possible work of Visual Effects we can have!

Apart from the direction, the closest which comes to perfection is the cinematography by Senthil. The way some of the scenes were shot especially in the Rajasthan and Gujarat make you wonder if you are truly watching a Telugu film. My favourite scene in the film is the episode of Kalabhairava racing upon his horse in the white sands of Gujarat. It’s surreal and spectacularly shot by Senthil. The entire flashback episode set in 17th Century won’t give you scope of any criticism unless you have an eye to differentiate between a set/painting which marks the backdrop. The green screen didn’t help much I suppose! The best work by Art department under the ageis of Ravinder is the set of the Arena! That definitely brought back memories of the inside view of Colosseum (in Rome). Music by M M Keeravani isn’t his best work, but some of the songs like Bangaru Kodi Petta, Dheera Dheera and Panchadara Chilaka…sound pretty good along with the visuals. Background score by Kalyan Malik and Keeravani is a huge asset for the movie, especially in all the action sequences. Peter Heins, the Stunt Director who had hurt himself while shooting for this film, shows us why he’s the best in the business. Editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao is decent, I just wish they hadn’t chopped too many scenes from the flashback episode. Costumes were wonderful throughout the film. And finally, Rajamouli himself…well, thanks for entertaining us in your own style, yet again!

I thought this movie was 3 hour 20 minutes long! But the moment the film ended I realised it was about 3 hours long…I just wish the producers release an uncensored version in the DVD release, It would be really great to watch the Director’s Cut of this film. My only request from Rajamouli is, please make a full length fantasy film sometime in future! You are our only hope. For now, I think “Magadheera” is not a masterpiece! Yet, it’s stunning and spectacular…a well packaged commercial entertainer to have released this year. And definitely one of the best Telugu films of the year so far.. A big thumbs up! Go, watch it.

P.S: The next time, you shake hands with a guy/girl, check out if you can feel the spark! Who knows, you might have an unfinished love story from some other age..:D

P.P.S: For all the movie buffs and film makers in Hyderabad, here’s an interesting event on 23rd August…”Cut It Short”- Short Film Festival…read more @ http://cutitshort.wordpress.com