Jyothi Lakshmi Review

Behind the Movie Jyothi Lakshmi: Director Puri Jagannath is dealing with social issues these days. His ‘Temper, Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu’ are into the same genre. Charmi in a sex worker character fighting with an argument is strongly perceived as an item to sell like a hot cake. So, Puri along with Charmi and C Kalyan arranged the platform for ‘Jyothi Lakshmi’ to take off and release today. Let us see, how arousing is this story of a prostitute?

In the Movie Jyothi Lakshmi: Story begins with introduction of Sathya (Sathya Deva) as a software engineer instantly falling in love with prostitute Jyothi Lakshmi (Charmi) at a sudden encounter. Sathya roams around brothel houses nearby to footmark Jyothi Lakshmi and finally gets her. While Jyothi Lakshmi notices Sathya as a regular fleshy customer, Sathya attends her daily swiping his credit card without any sexual desire. One fine day, he proposes the love and expresses the devotion to marry her. 

However, the sex racket run by influential Narayan Patwari and his henchmen create problems in the elopement plan of Sathya-Jyothi. Finally, they both are married. Here on, Sathya faces the discrimination in society for marrying a sex worker which isn’t cared off. Meanwhile, Patwari forces Jyothi Lakshmi back in business paving the way for her to highlight and fight against the brutalities and stigma faced by prostitutes. What’s the solution Jyothi Lakshmi offers us to uplift and give a respectable position for sex workers in society forms the climax.

Values of the Movie Jyothi Lakshmi: As a writer Puri Jagannath is expanding his own horizons by endeavoring on wide variety of subjects. If rape was the core point in ‘Temper,’ this time he fights for a cause of prostitutes. ‘When Men Fail In A System, Women Sell Their Flesh.’ Directly, Puri pointed his guns on men and bullied with a silly climax. The writing talent in Puri needs no introductions. He just tore apart all those portions Sathya and Jyothi Lakshmi encounter in brothel. Screenplay was also engaging till the time core issue comes into focus phasing out entertainment and infusing seriousness. As a director, Puri dropped his shoulders by the time a lame climax lynches the basic essence. PG Vinda’s camera work is a standard Puri template with his bona-fide frames and angles. SR Sekkhar’s editing also had a legitimate Puri mark. Sunil Kashyap’s songs are beautifully canned and RR is also formidable. Production values of Subha Swetha Films and C Kalyan are fairish.

About performances, Charmi got a meaty role to take the precedence. She sparkled with new glow in prostitute role craving for sexual thirst conveying the steamy expressions in high precision. Charmi has well balanced the emotional side by taking charge of heroic facets in second half. All in all, she was crude, bold and courageous. Debutant Sathya Dev did a fine job supporting Charmi. He had those boy next door looks to fetch good roles in future. One guy who did Sathya Dev’s friend is superbly entertaining while Apoorva Srinivasan looked cute. Villain wasn’t so strong and ‘Sakshi’ Ram is a wasted stuff. Brahmi as industrialist Kamalakar generated few laughs. Cameos of Sampoornesh, Saptha Giri, Uttej, Sathyam Rajesh and others misfired. Among the rest, none needed a mention.

Out of the Movie Jyothi Lakshmi: Not ones or twice, Puri proved the spotless timing of punch in his pen innumerable times. As a writer and director, Puri has well conceived the characterizations of Charmi and Sathya Dev. The tracks laid there of between them in brothel house backdrop hatched a new gusto. Bodily intimacy and steamy chemistry needed in these characters is served with deep sensuality. Majority of first half episodes are sure to get a rousing reception from front benchers. The Mangal Sutra and Condom conflict as interval bang is again an adventurous crack relative to the moral codes our Telugu directors generally follow. 

Major drawback lied in narrating the second half and climax portions thereof. Entertainment takes the backseat as emotional connections and concise sermons drive there on towards a forceless, irresolute and unbelievable climax.       

From commercial perspective, ‘Jyothi Lakshmi’ should open to awesome openings; thanks to wide promotions. Lower classes audience has something to cheer up with Charmi’s stout presence. Though a long run may not be possible, it’s better for families and ladies to stay away.              

Cinejosh Verdict of Jyothi Lakshmi: Puri’s Worship for Charmi's Prostituion.

                                                                      Cinejosh Rating: 2.75/5.0

                                                                                          Reviewed by Srivaas