'Vundhile Manchi Kalam Mundhu
Mundhuna' is a kind of film where the audience is expected to take things more
seriously than its characters do. In this non-story of a film, all
slice-of-life situations together fail to make the film look like a true-to-life
fare.
Sudhakar Komakula as Raju ('Life Is
Beautiful' fame) plays the son of Radhika Sharat Kumar and the son-mother duo
lead a happy life despite leading a not-so-blessed life. Karthik (as
Dhana) is his best pal, who looks up to his father (played by veteran actor
Naresh) as a source of sustenance. Sudhakar and Karthik are all-weather
friends and share their dreams together while doing menial work to make ends
meet.
Sudhakar is smitten by Juliet when
Vijju (Avantika Mohan) enters his life six years after leaving his life while
in 10th Class. Karthik wants to make it to the national hockey team and
in his endeavour, he has the full support of his doting father.
The film is like an unambitious
version of Kammula's Life is Beautiful. The writer-director (Arun Dasyam)
seems to have thought that the very attempt at making a feel-good film relieves
him of including anything substantial.
Vacuous stories more often than not
bring out empty interval bangs, especially when the writer doesn't want to
cheat the audience. Sub-plots here are so dated that writing them would
lead to the review itself smelling of tedium. In the run up to interval,
Karthik wins a bet match with a petty rival, his pal then announces a happy
summer camp and then we see the interval bang! In the second half, this
rivalry gives way to another street fight.
On the face of it, the little
sub-plots do not make a film on their own. If anything is there that is
worthy of it, it is the bonhomie between Karthik and Naresh. The
dialogues work fine as far as this element goes and that's all. Some
elements make a mark initially, like Vijju clicking her way unbeknownst to
Sudhakar. Thematically, the film raises a toast to those who enjoy the
journey rather than the destination, and even pays a tribute to the legend
Dhyan Chand. However, besides having a character talk about the lack of
sporting infrastructure in the country, there is not much content that is
weaved around the idea.
Sudhakar is seen in a role that
seems to be a dumbed down version of his LIB role. After a point, his
attitude itself starts to look tedious. Karthik, on his part, seems to
fit the bill when he looks intense and spirited enough to pull of a
sportsperson's role but eventually, his becomes a stale role, trying in vain to
emote with eyes.
An important part of films like this
is songs. Ram Narayan's music smacks of mothballs, although the
visualizations passes muster. Since there is no emotional heft going for
them, the songs fall flat.
If Avanthika Mohan looks fit to play
the girl-next-door kinda roles, Neethika Chowdhary may strike a chord playing a
bit player in future.
Radhika is at her usual best,
whereas Naresh delivers the best one.
The cinematography and other
technical elements not off the mark.
Verdict: An attempt at making a feel-good movie falls
flat in the absence of less melodrama and even lesser substance.
Rating:
2/5
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