Premam Review

Premam Review, What’s Behind: Original ‘Premam’ in Malayalam is a cult hit. Remaking the same in Telugu is a good idea with casting of Naga Chaitanya, Shruti Hasan. Directed by Chandoo Mondeti of ‘Karthikeya’ fame, the film has hit screens today. Let us see, how far it equaled the original and what all qualities it had to satisfy Telugu audience.   

Premam Story: As pretty much known to all, ‘Premam’ is a journey of love for a guy named Vikram. Starting from school age crush on co-student Suma (Anupama Parameshwaran) and teenage or say Engineering days endearment with lecturer Sithara (Shruti Hasan), both these love stories end up as failures for Vikram. Into a matured age and settled in life as restaurant owner, real love for Vikram arrives in the form of a forgotten memory Sandhya (Madonna Sebastian) leading his life towards fulfillment with marriage. What else are Vikram’s ups and downs? How life taught him lessons to move on? What’s the support from friends? 

Premam Artists and Technicians: ‘Premam’ is not a content rich film. It is abundant on feel good and heart soothing elements which worked big time with Kerala audience. Chandoo Mondeti successfully grabbed the crux essence in original and rehashed it with moderate changes making the product more suitable for Telugu cinema lovers. For all those who haven’t watched the original, this Telugu version is likely to strike smooth at hearts. Even those who have been drooling in Malayalam magic can call it decent attempt. Chandoo cleverly managed to blend few commercial aspects to all three phases of love by roping in Praveen, Chaitanya Krishna and Srinivas Reddy respectively thus giving himself a scope for humor. Particularly, Srinivas Reddy’s presence in the last phase changed overall mood. Venkatesh, Nagarjuna cameos made it richer. This is where Chandoo scored brownie points while remaining else more or less he remained honest to Alphonse Puthren. Dialogues did their part to keep us engaged.

Karthik Ghattamaneni’s camera work is splendid and as impressive as Anand C Chandran. He made us join Vikram on voyage so smoothly. Editing wise, Kotagiri did a decent job allocating proportionate time spans for three stages. Music by Gopi Sundar and Rajesh Murugesan magnified the influence becoming a perfect lifeline. Production standards from Sithara Entertainments and PDV Prasad are top notch.

Onto performances, this is a clear evolution of Naga Chaitanya as marvelous and matured artist. All those who had doubts on Chaitu to match with Nivin Pauly, here is the answer and Chaitu shined in his own style. Modifying himself on physical look with different ages isn’t a simple task. From innocence in school age to rugged, mass, beardy teenage look and then the stylish makeover in the final stage are differentiated with superb transition.

Shruti Hasan is definitely not as functional as Sai Pallavi yet had her own share of good, bad. Anupama Parameshwaran is limited to a brief time. Madonna Sebastian is beautiful as a contemporary girl. Brahmaji and Narra Sreenu are frustrating. Praveen, Chaitanya Krishna, Srinivas Reddy are entertaining. Arvind Krishna, Prudhvi and other casting does their best. 

Advantages:

Naga Chaitanya

Cinematography

Music

Decent Comedy

Production Standards

Second Half

Nagarjuna, Venkatesh Cameos

Disadvantages:

Shruti Hasan (to an extent)

Slow Narration

Cinematic Emotions

Premam Rating Analysis: The very idea of remaking a renowned classic is monstrous challenge taken up by Chandoo, Chaitu and Sitara banner. Definitely, comparisons are ought to be drawn. The way Evare song and teaser were trolled on social media manifests the extreme burden entire team had on their shoulders. However, the team can relax now because our ‘Premam’ stood at least on best comparable footing which is more than victory. With Malayalam ‘Premam’ and ‘Naa Autograph’ having set top benchmarks in coming-of-age romantic flicks, the way this new ‘Premam’ found its place besides above two says it all.

First half begins on a righteous note launching us directly into Vikram that is Chaitu’s life. Anupama Parameshwaran track is regular and we start feeling it stretched before Shruti Hasan makes an entry. Not glamorous at her best, she keeps the proceedings going on in traditional saris. Interval knock is a pathetic low as first half closes on a predictable and crippled note.

Into second half, Chandoo Mondeti tightened every screw which was loose. The dance episode, Shruti’s parting with Chaitu, her accident and the pain Chaitu undergoes are just picture perfect. The last step of love with Madonna Sebastian is superbly improvised than original. Here the film is lifted to a new high with cleanly dealt climax.

‘Premam’ is a clean, neat and beautiful romantic flick which you are surely to connect with. Though weak narration and boring episodes in first half diluted the overall essence, the movie is worth passable in first class for the efforts put in by Naga Chaitanya and Chandoo Mondeti. Undoubtedly, ‘Premam’ is worth a festive watch which makes CJ to rate it with 3 stars. Its’ going to fare extraordinarily in Overseas and metro markets. 

Premam Cinejosh Verdict: Come… Fall In Love With Chaitu.

                                                            Premam Cinejosh Rating: 3.0/5.0

                                                                                                 Reviewed by Srivaas