Saturday Jul 12 2008, Hyderabad

'Citizen' makes you mad

Directed by - Saiprakash

Produced by - C V Reddy

Music by - Vandemataram Srinivas

Casts - Saikumar, Vaibhavi, Ashish Vidyarthi, Jaiprakash Reddy, Sadashiva Bhramavar.

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Do you have any special expectations about a Saikumar's 50th film directed by Saiprakash? That too, when the film is titled 'Citizen'.`No’, says even Saikumar's fans after watching the film.Because, 'Citizen' is another film (like his previous 40 films) with lots of lectures on individual responsibilities, patriotism, and what not.Sai had said that this film would be different from his previous films.There were chances of making it happen, but story and screenplay writer C V Reddy along with director Saiprakash has, in order to keep everyone happy, turned to the hackneyed formula of lectures, rapes, blood-shed, violence and makes it yet another Saikumar film! 'Citizen' tells the story of Bharath (Saikumar) an honest and upright cop, who has the guts to bash criminals and corrupt politicians.

He is transferred to Durgapur.The place is ruled by a parallel Government called Simhaadri (Ashish Vidyarthi).Bharath takes on Simhaadri and his son Ajay for their wrong doings.What happens next? Do you still want to hear? Well, as said earlier, 'Citizen' definitely had chances of doing better.The first half of the film has pace and clarity.

But the second half is full of pain and strain.The screenwriter and the director give prominence to mind games in the first half which is a bit enjoyable, but they suddenly turn to violence and blood-shed making the film intolerable.C V Reddy and Saiprakash even go to the extent of indirectly saying that Taliban style punishment is the right kind of punishment to the criminals! Saikumar is at ease in his role because he has done dozens of such kinds of roles previously.But still, he looks pretty strained.Vyabhavi has nothing to do in the film.

Ashish Vidyarthi, Jayaprakash Reddy irritate viewers like hell.The only saving grace of the film is camera work by Manohar.Even the two songs do not create an impact on you.This is yet another example of number changing and not the content.Watch it if you have the patience and time.

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