Monday Mar 24 2008, Hyderabad

A mediocre bid, saved only by Simran

Directed by - Kuchipudi Venkat

Produced by - Kuchipudi Venkat

Music by - Kiran Varanasi

Casts - Krishna Bhagawan, Simran, Sayaji Shinde, Ruthika, Melkote and others.

Banner - Black and Eight

Director Kuchipudi Venkat deserves praise for his success in bringing together a crazy combination with Krishna Bhagawan and Simran.There is a lot of expectation on the film thanks to the luring title 'JOHN APPA RAO 40 +' with romantic picture of the lead pair in the posters.But, the entertainment is missing.Dialogues smeared with double meaning come as a big Drawback. Appa Rao(Krishna Bhagawan) is a noted dress designer who is kind at heart and clean in habits.

Due to household pressures, his marriage is very much delayed though he is 40 +.Now when he  is free of his domestic troubles,  he tries to find a suitable bride but fails in all the attempts.Finally, he happens to develop a crush with Pravallika(Simran), who meets him as a client.She tells him that she would make him even more famous if he comes to London.Suddenly, John(Krishna Bhagawan) - in dual role --enters Hyderabad as an ISI agent, planning blasts in the city.

Spotting Appa Rao, John wants to use him for his clandestine deals.What happens next? This is the crux of the film. Krishna Bhagawan made his debut as hero with this film and he is impressive in his dual shades as a dress designer and ISI agent.The difference in the voices of the two characters is well brought out.His dance sequences are funny and help arouse laughter.

Moreover, Krishna Bhagawan, who is basically a comedian, is also seen shouldering the burden of comedy on him.Simran's characterization as a ravishing 30+ beauty is good.She holds the weight to run the show thanks to her dance sequences.Ruthika appears as an item girl, but is not effective.All other characters in the film are run of the mill and worked standing in their shoes.

 The film more or less resembles of an Italian flick 'Johnny Stechino, which got released in the 90's.Though Kuchipudi Venkat modified the subject to suit the taste of the Telugu audiences, he has completely lost the grip on the screenplay.Direction is also mediocre and doesn't bring justice to the expectations of the audiences.comedy is not impressive.Music by Kiran Varanasi is good.

The remix songs have punch.While the first half is average., the second half runs awry. The movie is opened to an average talk.However, the presence of Simran might help its commercial aspect.