Monday Oct 08 2007, Chennai

Nandu: Telugu Masala flick

Directed by - Trivikram

Produced by - D Kishore & M Rammohan

Music by - Mani Sharma

Casts - Mahesh Babu, Triha, Prakash Raj, Sonu Sood, Kota, Dharmavarapu, Giri Babu, Nassar, Brahmanandam

Banner - Sri Jayabheri Art Productions

When you decide to watch a Telugu Masala flick, you must set aside logic and get ready to be entertained by glamour, incredible action sequences, cheap comedy that tickles your bones, magical coincidence, unbelievable yet racy script, and above all, the sound that threatens to deafen your ears.The masala directors are very keen in making you sit for more than two and half hours without tempting you to look at your watch.The finesse and subtlety in filmmaking are something ill affordable for them in their quest of entertaining the masses.Nandu, dubbed from Telugu (Athadu), offers you all these ingredients but with a script that is just about acceptable.The film banks on the performance of the hero, a story based on crime and investigation, and a script with some intelligence.

And you have the cute looking Trisha to add colour and a band of characters to make you laugh.The story revolves around Nandu, who is a professional killer with amazing skills.He, along with his friend accept an ‘order’ to shoot a top politician without killing him.The idea is to get sympathy vote and win the elections.Nandu and his mate agree and carve out a plan.

But someone interrupts and the politician is killed.Nandu’s friend is killed in an accident on the same day.Now Nandu is on the run.He is the prime suspect of the murder.A twist in the tale brings him to a village, where he is mistaken for another person, who returns home after 12 years.

Nandu becomes Parthi.He finds a new life in the village.He realizes what is love and affection for the first time in his life.He is moved.He transforms as a new man.

But… his past haunts him in the form of a CBI officer (Prakash Raj), when he was about to transform completely.The rest of the story more twists and turns, narrates how he comes out of the predicament with.The story is narrated in a linier and no-nonsense manner without much gimmicks and silly proceedings.Some of the scenes involving Mahesh Babu and Trisha in the house are pleasant.The crime and the investigation track have been executed well, albeit with some glaring flaws.

The climax, though a predictable one, is impressive.The flaw in the narration is that it doesn’t take any strain to develop the character of the protagonist.The script is quite predictable despite having a smooth ride.Too much emphasis on Nandu’s prowess and the love track make the narrative redundant.A closer scrutiny reveals more flaws in the script, but it would be meaningless to undertake such an effort as this happens to be a commercial masala.

Mahesh Babu, Trisha, Nasser, and Prakash Raj make the film watchable by their performances.All of them have done their part well.Mahesh Babu depicts the characteristics of a steely young man with a disturbed past with ease.His eyes and body language fit perfectly into the role.However, the actor seems to be getting into the trap of becoming predictable.

Trisha looks cute and charming.She enacts the part of an innocent, bubbly village girl with aplomb.Nasser amazingly handles the role of an old man with full of affection.Praksh Raj enlivens the proceedings by his casual handling of his role.Mani Sharma’s music is full of high decibel sound and it lacks any finesse.

Though a couple of songs are tuneful, the background sounds nullify the impact.Sharma goes overboard through out the film and hence irritating.Dialogues are quite competent.Director Trivikram has managed a decent show.He knows how to use the stars.

If the film was trimmed - at least a song and a fight in the carnival in second half could have been avoided – the entertainment value would have been better.