Star anchor Suma and actor Rajeev Kanakala's son, Roshan Kanakala, is set to make his debut in the captivating world of cinema with an intriguingly titled romantic entertainer, Bubblegum. The film, directed by Ravikanth Perepu, renowned for his diverse range of genre-defying entertainers such as Kshanam,Month of Madhu,and Krishna and His Leela, has generated significant anticipation. The teaser and trailer of the film have already garnered a positive response, leaving movie enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the release to discover what unique charm and appeal Bubblegum has to offer.
The narrative of Bubblegum revolves around two young individuals hailing from diverse backgrounds whose paths cross, setting the stage for the unfolding of a captivating romantic journey. Aadi, also known as Aaditya (Roshan Kanakala), belongs to the lower-middle class and works as a DJ. His life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Jaanu, alias Janhvi (Maanasa Choudhary), a girl from a wealthy and affluent background.
Aadi and Janhvi harbor distinct perspectives on how to navigate their burgeoning relationship. The film delves into the intricacies of their differing approaches and explores the ensuing twists and turns. As the story progresses, we witness the dynamics between Aadi's parents (Chaitu Jonnalagadda and Bindu Chandramouli), Jaanu's parents (Harshavardhan and Anu Haasan), and Aadi's friends( Kiran Macha and others). The unfolding developments promise to unravel a tale rich in emotions, highlighting the impact of societal and economic disparities on matters of the heart.
In his debut performance, Roshan Kanakala exuded youthfulness and charm, portraying the role of a lower-middle-class individual with finesse. His adept body language seamlessly transitioned from that of a carefree, happy-go-lucky guy to a young man deeply and genuinely in love. Particularly noteworthy were his scenes of innocence, the interval sequence, and the second half, where he skillfully conveyed the emotions of heartbreak while attempting to emerge from that challenging phase. Roshan's ease in delivering dialogues is commendable, and with further refinement in dialogue delivery, expressions, and emotions, he has the potential to make a significant impact in the industry.
Maanasa Choudhary's on-screen presence was striking, showcasing versatility in her character portrayal. From embodying the persona of a wealthy girl skeptical about relationships to wholeheartedly pursuing love after experiencing its profound impact, Maanasa demonstrated her acting prowess. Notably, she handled bold and intimate scenes, including passionate liplocks, with perfection. Her aesthetic appeal was accentuated by her confident portrayal, seamlessly transitioning between bikinis and modern outfits.
Viva Harsha had limited screen time, while Anu Haasan and Harshavardhan delivered commendable performances as the heroine's parents. Dialogues featuring Maanasa alongside Anu Haasan and Harshavardhan resonated well, adding depth to their interactions. Bindu Chandramouli portrayed the role of the hero's mother convincingly, and Chaitu Jonnalagadda, as the father, exhibited commendable body language, expressions, and emotions. His occasional infusion of entertainment through dialogues and mannerisms added a delightful touch.
Brahmanandam made a brief appearance in a small yet impactful role, and the rest of the cast played their respective roles with dedication, contributing to the overall coherence of the narrative.
Ravikanth Perepu's Bubblegum presents a familiar yet youthful romantic narrative, navigating the well-explored territory of a romance blossoming between a financially disadvantaged young man and an affluent young woman. While the premise may be a tried-and-tested formula in the realm of debut films, Perepu injects his own unique touch into the storytelling.
The director engagingly commences the narration, laying the foundation for the love story to unfold between the central characters. While certain scenes might appear predictable, Perepu endeavors to sustain viewer interest by incorporating moments of intimacy and passionate liplocks.
As the storyline progresses towards the interval, Perepu introduces a dramatic turn, adding emotional depth to the narrative. The second half delves into an emotional rollercoaster, exploring a clash of egos between the lead pair. The dialogues, addressing themes of love, ego, parent-child relationships, and familial bonds, are well-crafted and thought-provoking. The film concludes with a compelling message urging audiences to embrace the present moment.
While Perepu's storyline may follow a predictable trajectory, the screenplay proves satisfactory, although the script could have been more refined for enhanced impact. The cinematography by Suresh Ragutu effectively captures the nuances of lower-middle-class life and realistically depicts the locations. Additionally, Ragutu skillfully presents the picturesque landscapes of Goa in a captivating manner.
Sricharan Pakala's youthful music adds a vibrant layer to the film, with well-shot songs against the backdrop of exotic locations enhancing the romance between the lead characters. The background score, while generally in harmony with the narrative, occasionally veers towards being overpowering.
Nishadh Yousuf's editing is competent, though a more meticulous approach towards trimming repetitive scenes and addressing pacing issues in both halves could have elevated the overall viewing experience. The film's production values are commendable, contributing to its visual appeal and overall presentation. In summary, Bubblegum brings a fresh perspective to a familiar genre, with its strengths lying in cinematography, music, and engaging dialogues, even as it navigates through the limitations of a somewhat predictable storyline.
In essence, Bubblegum emerges as a conventional yet familiar youthful entertainer. Ravikanth Perepu strategically selected a narrative to position Roshan Kanakala as a romantic hero, and to a certain extent, he achieves this goal. However, despite the emotional exploration of love and relationship dynamics, the film concludes on an inconclusive note, leaving movie enthusiasts somewhat disappointed. A subtle refinement in the script could have potentially altered the final impact. Taking into account these various aspects, Cinejosh assigns a rating of 2 to Bubblegum.