Geethanjali Malli Vachindi starring Anjali in the lead generated immense interest among movie lovers as it happens to be the sequel to the superhit film Geethanjali. The film directed by Shiva Turlapati hit the screens today. Let us see whether the film recreated the magic of Geethanjali on the screen.
Geethanjali Malli Vachindhi dives into the life of a young and beautiful woman and the unexpected turns her path takes. The story follows Sreenu (Srinivas Reddy), a director who tasted success with his debut film "Geethanjali" but faced a string of flops afterwards. Just as his career seems to be dwindling, a glimmer of hope arrives in the form of a golden opportunity: an industrialist Vishnu (Rahul Madhav) in Ooty offers him the chance to direct a horror film.
Eager to redeem himself, Sreenu assembles his team, including writers Atreya and Arudra (Satyam Rajesh and Shakalaka Shankar), and an aspiring hero (Satya). They decide to cast Anjali (Anjali), the star of their successful debut and current owner of a coffee shop. However, their plans take a spooky turn as they begin filming in a secluded and haunted bungalow. Strange occurrences plague the team, leaving them questioning the true nature of the place and the secrets it holds.
The mystery deepens as a mysterious doll and the enigmatic characters of Killer Nani (Sunil) and Ventroloquist Venkatarao (Ali) enter the picture. How are these elements connected to the haunting? Will Sreenu overcome the obstacles and deliver a successful film? Geethanjali Malli Vachindhi promises a thrilling ride filled with suspense, laughter, and unexpected twists, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats as they unravel the mysteries of the haunted bungalow and the lives intertwined within it.
While Geethanjali Malli Vachindhi boasts a talented ensemble cast, the film's character development and utilization leave something to be desired. Anjali, despite achieving a significant milestone with this film, is unfortunately given a minimal and underdeveloped role. Her character's potential is further diminished as the story progresses, leaving viewers wanting more. Additionally, Anjali's dialogue delivery, which comes across as shrill, detracts from the overall experience.
The supporting cast, including Srinivas Reddy, Satyam Rajesh, Satya, Shakalaka Shankar, Sunil, and Ali, delivers performances that align with their respective roles, attempting to entertain the audience with their comedic antics. Satya particularly shines with his impeccable timing, especially in the second half, while Sunil manages to evoke laughter to a certain extent.
Other notable actors like Srikanth Iyengar, Rao Ramesh, Goparaju Ramana, Ravi Shankar, and Rahul Madhav fulfill the requirements of their characters effectively.
Despite the commendable efforts of the supporting cast, the film suffers from the underutilization of Anjali's talent and the lack of depth in her character. A more substantial and well-defined role for Anjali could have elevated the film and provided a stronger emotional core to the narrative.
Geethanjali Malli Vachindi, penned by Kona Venkat and directed by Shiva Turlapati, attempts to follow the success of its predecessor, "Geethanjali". While the story starts afresh and gradually connects the missing pieces by the end of the first half, the execution falls short of expectations. Director Shiva Turlapati struggles to recreate the comedic charm of the original film, resulting in stale and repetitive humor that fails to engage the audience.
The second half continues in a similar vein, with the ghost scenes failing to evoke any sense of fear, thrill, or laughter. Satya and, to some extent, Sunil, shoulder the responsibility of salvaging the film with their comedic performances, but their efforts are not enough to compensate for the overall lackluster narrative. The film's major drawbacks lie in its outdated comedy and Anjali's weak characterization, which fails to capitalize on her talent and star power.
The technical aspects of the film also leave much to be desired. Praveen Lakkaraju's music fails to impress, and the background score often feels loud and intrusive, detracting from the scenes rather than enhancing them. Chota K Prasad's editing is a disappointment, with several scenes dragging the pace and impacting the overall flow of the narrative. The dialogues lack originality, and the production values are merely passable.
In conclusion, Geethanjali Malli Vachindi fails to live up to the expectations set by its predecessor. The film suffers from a weak script, uninspired direction, and underwhelming technical aspects, making it a disappointing sequel that fails to capture the magic of the original.
Altogether, Geethanjali Malli Vachindi, unfortunately, falls short of its predecessor's success, ending up as a pale imitation of the original "Geethanjali". While Anjali's performance in the first film played a significant role in reviving her career, the sequel fails to capitalize on her talent and deliver a compelling story. Instead of propelling her to new heights, "Geethanjali Malli Vachindi" presents a weak character for Anjali, leaving her milestone film feeling more like a missed opportunity.
The film's narrative takes on an outdated feel, reminiscent of 80s movies, lacking the thrills and emotional depth that audiences expect from a modern horror-comedy. The forced comedic scenes involving ghosts further detract from the experience, making it difficult to connect with the story or find genuine humor in the situations. The screenplay and direction lack coherence and purpose, contributing to the overall sense of disappointment.
Considering the weak storyline, underdeveloped characters, and uninspired execution, Geethanjali Malli Vachindi fails to live up to its potential and ultimately disappoints. As a result, Cinejosh accords a rating of 1.5, reflecting its shortcomings as a sequel and its inability to recapture the magic of the original film.