Katha -Screenplay-Darsakatvam-Appalraju - Telugu Movie Review

KSDA by Ram Gopal Varma is an epic commentary on Tollywood's ways and means and can rattle many heads. Apart from taking potshots at himself, Varma gives exaggerated insinuations at  everybody who is somebody  - nobrain.com (idle brain), gurram awards (nandi awards), kanishka-babu (anushka-nag affair), ANR-Chiru-Allu-NTR everyone. Movie jibes at every star, how movies are made, canned or distributed, how ganging happens- with perversive humor. It is RGV's take on the creative crisis in Tollywood and almost entertains with comedy gang but washing dirty linen is not fun watching. It felt longer and definitely not RGV's best ( I suspect it is directed by his friend called "Appalraju"). No  wonder, idlebrain.com didn't even cover the film. First half is more fun.

Gaganam - Telugu Movie Review

Saw "Gaganam" expecting to watch another " Ragadam"  - item songs with six heroines, lewd jokes and crass commercial stunts, and visa-on-arrival location songs. Surprise, surprise - nothing of that sort in Nagarjuna's new movie, not one song. Its clean, wholesome fare with low-tension hijack drama and high comedy performances. No heavy emotion, in-your-face dialogues and pacy direction. Radhamohan delivers high-quality again, though with logic gaps. Eight-hundred calorie consuming Nag gives knock-out performance. Highly watchable.

Ala Modalaindi - Telugu Movie Review

"Ala Modalaindi" is a cute, refreshing and evocative love story made for gen-next with enough nuggets of wisdom from elders as  well as youngsters on managing life and relationships. Nandini Reddy makes a silent but successful debt - her screenplay, characterisation and direction stand out - without fuss. Cast is cool, and Nitya Menon is a star to watch. Rohini yesterday's teenybopper gives a "wow" mom performance. Though slow, movie will cut ice with all audiences. Naani looks good. Music by Kalyan Mallik is pleasant.

Golconda High School - Telugu Movie Review

GHS is worth the wait - its a movie you will like anyways - if you love your school memories. Mohan Krishna delivers an honest movie based on Harimohan Paruvu's novel "The Men Within"  and drives home a point thats missed out by parents who push their wards into academics even postpone their vacations or clubs which withdraw game courts for real estate profits. "Follow your heart, love your game or hobby and focus and fame will automatically follow" is the message of the movie. Sumanth suits the subdued role. A good experiment in a season of story-starved hits. Immensely watchable, five songs, no fights, no manhood-proving dialogues, no skin show and only thirteen reels. Is industry listening?

Anaga Anaga Oka Dheerudu - Telugu Movie Review

Walt Disney pictures hasn't had a mega hit for years; unlikely that their first Telugu movie will deliver. "Anaga Anagaa Oka Dheerudu" has few pluses - simply fairy tale with extra-ordinary sfx, one memorable song, and a cute, demure Shruti Hasan  paired with every youthful Siddharth. Even Lakshmi Manchu looks good. What's missing? There's little soul when 75 mins of effects takes over screen. prakash K - director fails to connect well with kids or adults. He shows clean hand in directing and crafts but in pursuit of creativity, which is a high for Tollywood, he missed the wood for the trees - the Disney magic- which tells a good story while moving you to bits in joy and laughter. Good Disney bore only 30 per cent of the cost - so they' ll be back.

Mirapakaay - Telugu Movie Review

"Mirapakaay" has no different storyline than any of his recent movies but Ravi Teja carries the day firmly on his shoulders with great performance - the plot is loose but director Harish Shankar makes decent debut thats overall neat even if 16 reels is a bit long. Richa gives lifetime exposure and Thaman scores smashing music. No  doubt, Ravi is a rockstar of megawatt entertainment - he drips Redbull energy every frame. First round of Sankranti movies to "Mirapakaay".

Sri Krishna Commission Report - Good Read

If the last time  you read about AP (like me) was in 8th grade social studies text book, gift yourself a reading of 505 pages of Sri Krishna  report for a 360 degrees view of one of most vibrant states - its a definitive, staggering report with appealing statistics,  insights on some of the basic curiosities and inquiries we keep having on Hyderabad, AP or Telangana - its a socio-politico-economic commentary - unbiased and readable. You can finish it in less than four hours.