Eka Veera Review

Behind the Movie Eka Veera: Although a dubbing flick, the kind of promotion done by producers with director G. Vasanta Balan leading from front in experimentation and an historical storyline in hand, the casting and costumes of Aadi, Dhansika and Pasupathy raised good excitement even for Telugu audience. Let us see, what is this ‘Eka Veera’ is all about?

In the Movie Eka Veera: Story dates back to a period in between 13th and 18th Centuries when most part of Southern India was under the rule of Kings of various dynasties. Leader Sambayya (Pasupathy) and his team of professional burglars hail from the village of Veera Palem. Their main job is to rob the rich men in those villages which are not under the control of their own security guards. They are very sincere and dedicated towards profession. During an operation of theft, Samabyya happens to meet one more house breaker Veera (Aadi). Looking at the ease and expertise of Veera, with in no time Sambayya joins Veera into his team. 

On taking up the challenge of robbing a house in the iron forted village of Kota Vooru, Sambayya discovers about the flash back of Veera which goes like this. There is historical rivalry between villages of Chinna Veera Palem and Martoor. In order to fulfill a promise of King (Vijay Chander), village heads of Chinna Veera Palem agree to offer Veera aka Chinna (Aadi) as Human Sacrifice (Nara Bali). As Chinna wants to live his life happily, he escapes from village and his newly wed wife (Dhansika). What is the actual story behind Veera given the punishment of ‘Nara Bali’? How did Sambayya help him? How Veera sacrifices his life complying for a word given for villagers forms the rest.

Out of the Movie Eka Veera: The core advantage film has got is a glance of the estranged history and hardcore nativity maintained throughout. Like few Tamil directors who love to challenge with period stories, Vasanta Balan has come up with this commending concept. Direction wise, he never left the flavor. However there are few spasms in narration but hats off to his guts. Dialogues by Sri Rama Krishna are not clear. Cinematography of Siddharth is the very lifeline of movie. Editing by Praveen, Srikanth is equally outstanding. Music by Karthik makes you dwell with those historical situations. Take a bow to the team of producers, Siva and Srinivas Damera for showing such brave attitude.

Performance wise, Aadi has done a job above unimaginable levels. His well groomed eight packs, towering height and expressive face will just blow you away. Same applies to Pasupathy who stole the major portion of first half with his looks and complexion. Vijay Chander played a key role. Heroines wise, Dhansika is naturally seductive while Swetha Menon fitted perfectly into character of sex worker and Archana Kavi as sister to Pasupathy has gone good job. Bharath of ‘Boys, Premisthe’ fame is seen in a cameo.

Out of the Movie Eka Veera: All is well (technically) with the film except missing of entertainment and Telugu nativity. No where do this concept sync with regular audience. Nevertheless director might have added so much of fiction yet his master skill is not at all recommendable for Telugu film lovers. Final message offered at climax could have found acceptability only if emotional chord with characters was maintained. Unfortunately, this never happened.

First half of ‘Eka Veera’ is run on director’s dreamy execution. Characters, locations and their behavior remain indigestive. Second half has the exact conflict to come out and story unveils gradually. Like in numerous past Tamil climaxes, we do see ‘Eka Veera’ ending on a tragic note with a social message delivered.     

Vasanta Balan took up this film based on sub-plots in the novel of ‘Kaaval Kottam’ written by Su. Venkatesan. Capturing the 600 years of Tamil nativity in a single frame portraying culture, heritage, customs and traditions is an impossible task for any director which Vasanta Balan succeeded. Regrettably, how and why should Telugu audience connect with this extrinsic mood? Films like ‘Eka Veera’ are just meant for Film Festivals and for those tasty Tamil audiences who love their nativity come alive on screen. For others, ‘Eka Veera’ is disappointing and head aching.

Cinejosh Verdict of the Movie Eka Veera: Not Advised for Regular Telugu Cinema Lovers.

                                                                                          Reviewed by Srivaas