Kantri

Title: KaNTRi

Genre: Action
Movie Make: Straight

Banner: Vyjayanthi Movies
Presenter: Chalasani Dharma Raju

Cast: NTR, Hansika Motwani, Tanisha, Prakash Raj, Subba Raju, Raghu Babu, Kota, Ashish Vidyarthi, Apoorva etc

Music: Mani Sharma

Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh

Stunts: Stun Shiva
Cinematography: Sameer Reddy

Director: Meher Ramesh

Producer: C Ashwini Dutt

Theatrical Release: 9 May 2008

RATING: 6.5/10

Line:

It is the revenge formula that is not new on Tollywood screen. But it is dealt with convincing screenplay and something new in narration.  

Story:

Kranthi (NTR) is the young dynamic guy who is a storehouse of confidence and dare. He becomes most-wanted for gangsters Seshu (Ashish Vidyarthi) and his boss PR (Prakash Raj). They wish to use him for their crimes. Kranthi works under them and dominates them with his shrewdness and bravery. He uses all his earnings for an orphanage called Premalayam. Father Daiva Sahayam (Kota Sreenivasa Rao) is the head of that orphanage. In the process of gangster activities, Kranthi develops a split with PR. But out of the blue, it reveals that Kranthi is the son of PR. (yes, we recall Varasudu, Munna and Phool Aur Kante). Then the film takes a sentimental turn. Kranthi pumps in love and affection in PR's head. But who is Kranthi? Who is PR? Who is Daiva Sahayam? And what is Premalayam? What we see on screen till then is not the same. That entire thing becomes a surprise twist at the end

Artistes and Technicians: NTR excelled in all the faculties in the film. In some scenes he appeared to have taken something from Mahesh Babu. A few histrionics and expressions recall us Mahesh Babu in Pokiri when observed keenly. But that's what the definition of a trendy action hero, may be. NTR's dances are invincible and theatres roared with yells of fans watching his dances.

Hansika Motwani faired well in her role and she played in a conservative approach being the main heroine. Tanisha was exploited well for glamour-show. She pushed up adrenaline of audiences. Prakash Raj has new look with long hair. His villainy has his trademark punch. Murali Sharma although appeared to be doing something big initially, has disappointed with a weak role at the end. Comedy by Ali and Krishna Bhagawan stand as highlight in the film. Sunil's comedy proved to be a dud. Brahmanandam also disappointed with his weak role. Stun Shiva composed the fights up to the mark. He used less rope work and that too in a subtle and convincing way. Sword fight in the climax is very crude and it would have well-groomed. Technically the background score added enough punch to fights.  Choreography really plays very vital role in the film. NTR marveled in the dance for the song 'Vayasunami..' Sameer Reddy's cinematography deserves a great mention. Technically he made the film a storehouse of rich frames. Editing maestro Marthand K Venkatesh justified his role up to perfection. Meher Ramesh took the responsibility of four faculties-story, screenplay, dialogue and direction. Although he staggered here and there in dialogue part, he managed to run the show effectively on a whole.

Highlight Scenes:

1.       NTR's dialogue on bicycle. He says to villains "All those who have come on bicycle have created history. Do you assume that there wouldn't be anyone new?"

2.       Krishna Bhagawan's comedy in Singapore Museum

3.       Ali's hilarious comedy as Chinese Tarot Reader, Lee

4.       Introduction fight of Jr NTR

First Half and Second Half:

First half of the movie is dealt with subtlety with a blend of comedy and action. And the second half is dominated by sentiment and high dose action at the end. On a whole, the length of the movie is very long and it can be trimmed for about 15 minutes.

Report:

The film appears to be a mixture of 'Pokiri' and 'Munna' to large extent. Sometimes it recalls Varasudu/Phool Aur Kante as well. But the climax erases all those opinions and sounds to be something original. The film would have been a more entertaining treat if the comedy was taken on to second half as well. The film appears heavy at the end with high dose action and no comedy.

Recommendation:

Watch it if you really have time.