Behind the Movie Super Cowboy: Raghava Lawrence, the wonderful choreographer turned hero cum director was staying away from both Telugu and Tamil industries from a long time. Yes, he has spent heavy time in making of this adventurous ‘Super Cowboy.’ Although, this is a dubbing movie, the stunning visuals and a typical flavor of Cowboy movies have generated enough interest among a section of movie lovers. Let, us see what was really super about this ‘Super Cowboy’?
In the Movie Super Cowboy: Simhachalam (Lawrence), a timid watch man was accused in stealing of Texas Mullangi, a kind of precious diamond and a local court punishes him with death sentence. Exactly during the time of executing the punishment in his hamlet, a group of cowboys from Jaya Shankarapuram save Simhachalam and promise him to offer the same kind of diamond but only on fulfilling their promise.
Before knowing about the promise, they narrate a small flashback about Simha (Lawrence), the Super Cowboy of their Jaya Shankarapuram. Simha is a dynamic Cowboy who is like a god and savor for their hamlet from the enemy forces of Inumukota Nallathraachu (Naazar), Inumukota Chirutha (Sai Kumar) and Mai (Lakshmi Rai) all three from Inumu Kota (Iron Fort) named USApuram, who wants to win over Jaya Shankarapuram and make the people work as slaves in their oil wells. At a key moment, Simha is killed by Inumukota Nallathraachu and he is ready to occupy the hamlet.
Now this group of cowboys want Simhachalam to take the position of Marshal as their Simham, win the love of people and save them from Inumu Kota forces. Timid Simhachalam agrees to become a daring Simha, start fighting with rival Inumu Kota and even falls in love with Bai (Padma Priya), a localite.
In this mean time, one more rival gang of Red Indians tries to attack Jaya Shankarapuram but is surrendered to the wits of Simha and offer their king Aatrikesha's daughter Padi (Sandhya) in return. With a combined force of Red Indians and Jaya Shankarapuram, Simha plans to attack Inumu Kota but is pulled back when their Engineers are kidnapped by Inumukota Nallathraachu who gives Simha a chance to win their hamlet by tracing out a treasury which is hidden miles away from their hamlets. With the help of an old route map, Simha, Inumukota Chirutha, Mai, Red Indians King and few more start their journey for treasury. Was this adventurous trip ended successful? Did Simhachalam get back Texas Mullangi? Did he win his lady love Bai? form climax.
Values of the Movie Super Cowboy: Hero Lawrence was good and fit to his role of Cowboy. His natural antics, style and dances elevated the character but when it comes to heroism he looked to be a big zero living no impact. Heroine Padma Priya is like a delicious laddu watering your mouth. She is a hot property with natural sex appeal. Lakshmi Rai as usual is seductive with her cunning looks. Naazar was a brilliant choice and looked like a perfect balance between comedy and terror. Sai Kumar looked different with good voice modulations which you have never heard from his maestro. Make up of Sai Kumar and Naazar was really good. Sandhya doesn’t have much to work except for a song and she was cool. Others like Manorama, Delhi Ganesh and other Tamil starcast may not be identified by Telugu audience.
Story, screenplay and direction are by Chimbu Deven. Story wise, it is a regular cowboy model with nothing new to mention. Few of the instances lifted directly from Kodama Simham, Takkari Donga, Mosagaallaku Mosagaadu, Mackennas Gold and many more. So, it’s a regular track. Screenplay wise Chimbu Deven scored few plus and few minus. Especially in second half, you feel of dragging beyond the point. Direction wise, Chimbu has done quite a bit of research in Cowboy’s genesis. He applied logic in designing the sets, spotting the right locations, dressing styles of cowboys and their deadly games. But, one might be highly disappointed looking at this mediocre end product with weak heroism and weak comedy tracks mainly attributed to lack of depth in characterizations. Cinematography by Azhagappan was awesome work and surely he takes you on a drive to Cowboy ranches away from our busy world. Editing by Raja Mohammad missed few scenes in second half (like how did Lakshmi Rai get a bandage on to her head with blood oozing out suddenly). Background music (not by GV Prakash) by a couple of new directors was good in patches but repeated notes were played many a times. Main music by GV Prakash was worst. Production values by AGS and Kalpathi’s require a big round of applause.
Out of the Movie Super Cowboy: The name of ‘Cowboy’ alone will pull the attention of audience. Added with a prefix of ‘Super;’ it is true that we expect a super element in this ‘Super Cowboy’ but not so. Normally Cowboy movies require correct mix of action, thrill, comedy, romance and music but ‘Super Cowboy’ is an improper mix which leaves the audience in aching. Although we have extraordinary visuals, beautiful heroines and a good cast; much of them are wasted by junk comedy stuff beating the lives in characterizations. First half looked very pale with nothing great happening even with a comedy Interval line of ‘Mee Pants Lo Parr.’ Second half, movie picks up only when their adventurous journey for the treasure begins. Producers have spent good amounts on movie in getting the right build up for movie but in end it’s not that worth. Director's passion for work and difference is seen in names like Color Kanakayya, Chirutha, Nallathraachu, USA puram, Merupu Veerudu, Pistol jejayya and with images like Rajanaala, Super Star Krishna and few more Hollywood names which are identified with Cowboy culture in cinemas.
Cinejosh Verdict of the Movie Super Cowboy: Buildup Ekkuva, Business Thakkuva.
(Director’s madness is seen early in the movie when his name ‘Simbu Devan’ is written as ‘Chimbu Deven’)
Reviewed by Srivaas