Daggubati Rana kept audience still in Baahubali mania with his Bhalladeva character has come now with NRNM in Teja direction with Kajal Agarwal as heroine. Said to be a political drama of wits, let us see what Jogendra has to say.
Jogendra (Rana), a good natured money lender and his wife Radha (Kajal) make a happy living in Uravakonda until local Sarpanch disturbs their family life by ruining Radha’s pregnancy. Jogendra decides to take up politics to teach an answer and usurps to the level of local MLA by playing cleverly. From here on, Jogendra also eyes on CM seat using a luster dying channel head Devika Rani (Catherine Tresa) and has to play a game with Home Minister (Ashutosh Rana). How Jogendra cleansed the current corrupt political system is rest of the game.
Story of the film is definitely novel revolving around the political set up from rural villages, towns to state level. Teja definitely came up with solid substance reflecting the present political scenario in state which will connect well with audience. His screenplay filled with political betrayals, friendship and wife-husband bond ending with an anti-climax is loaded with enough stuff. Dialogues are sharply penned with plenty of satires on the present system (including YS Jagan, Pawan Kalyan, Chiranjeevi, Naidu and others) with thought provoking enlightenment. After a long time, Teja appeared to be in the right league of directors to be called an intellect brain. The way Rana climbs up the political ladder has though a share of cinematic liberties, narrative was engaging enough. Venkat C Dileep’s camera work carried realistic touch with natural locations. Kotagiri’s editing is also more than decent. Anup Ruben’s score Jogendra anthem is immediately catchy and hummable. Background is also efficiently scored. Production standards from Suresh Productions and Blue Planet are too good.
About artists, Rana has just nailed in Jogendra characterization. From a ruthless politician to a wife loving adorable husband or an enlightening political sermon in climax, he is just superb with a mesmerizing body language. Definitely, the film will take him to next level of stardom. Kajal Agarwal got a performance centric role and no one could have justified as such she did in a sacrificing character. Catherine fitted to the Tee in a lustily written Devika Rani. Her raunchy acts on bed are heat generating. Ashutosh Rana is good as cunning villain. Posani and Prabhas Sreenu provided relief with comic timing. Pradeep Rawat was brief. Navadeep did a fine job. Shivaji Raja, Nalla Venu, Ajay, Tanikella, Jaya Prakash Reddy, Raghu and others showed their presence.
Rana, Kajal and Catherine Characterizations
Bold Story
First Half
Dialogues
Climax
Unbelievability
Sloppy Second Half
Films based on political backdrop witnessing a success at Box Office are rare to find show in Tollywood. So, Teja caught a right and challenging story to recheck his caliber. Definitely, he is back in the game as NRNM showed his magical touch in crucial portions.
Beginning the film with Rana, Kajal affectional bond kept the proceedings sweetly romantic. Without wasting any time, Sarpanch episode pulling Rana into politics and his growth challenging the MLA, CM, local SI are full of Teja mark treatment. While Rana’s growth is well designed on one side, entry of Catherine spiced the show. At the same time, Teja preferred to pick known seeds into the political episodes writing rather than testing news and creative ones. Interval is more than satisfactory and weaving of screenplay back and front from central prison to Uravakonda is also good.
Second half, Rana’s challenge becomes open with Ashutosh Rana with Navadeep’s character giving the central emotional twist. Catherine using modern technological social media approach is something like what PK is doing for Jagan. Then the heart break between wife and husband before Rana realizes his inner self. Portions here on went over dramatic but acceptable and Rana’s crowning to CM seat went overboard while climax is again too good carrying a relevant message.
All in all, NRNM is a strong film which brought back Teja into positive stream and Rana just nailed it. Definitely, a film worth watchable for political setup authentically created. CJ goes for 3 stars rating congratulating Rana for transforming into Jogendra. Let us wait for Box Office verdict.