Ashish Gandhi, known for his notable performances in films like "Natakam," "Director," "Uniki," and "Rudrangi," is all set to captivate audiences once again with his upcoming release, Haddhu Ledhuraa. Directed by Rajashekkar Raavi, the film is scheduled to hit theaters on March 22, 2024. It will be intriguing to see the kind of impact this film makes on movie lovers, given Ashish Gandhi's track record of delivering engaging performances.
Haddhu Ledhuraa story revolves around the deep friendship between Doctor Krishna (Ashok) and Petrol Bunk Owner Arjun (Ashish Gandhi), who face a formidable enemy with unwavering courage. Their bond is unbreakable, with Arjun willing to go to any lengths for Krishna's sake.
As Krishna's life seems to fall into place with the discovery of his love interest, Sahasra (Hrithika Srinivas), and Srushti (Varsha Vishwanath), their world is suddenly turned upside down. The narrative takes a dramatic turn, leading to a series of events that unravel the connection between their challenges and the involvement of ex-MLA Gunasekhar (Rajiv Kanakala).
The story delves into how these two friends confront adversity together, highlighting the strength of their friendship and their determination to overcome any obstacle. As the plot unfolds, the audience is taken on a journey of twists and turns, culminating in a climax that reveals the true nature of their challenges and the extent of their courage.
Ashok, portraying the doctor, delivers a performance that is unfortunately quite ordinary. His expressions lack depth and fail to elevate the scenes effectively. Throughout the film, he seems stuck in a singular expression, failing to inspire confidence or exhibit the necessary variations in his body language.
Ashish Gandhi, on the other hand, performs adequately in his role. His portrayal of stunts is believable, and his physique suits the character well. However, there is room for improvement in his expressions and emotional delivery, which would enhance his impact on the audience.
Varsha Vishwanath, the niece of yesteryear heroine Vani Vishwanath, delivers an acceptable performance. She fits the role of a typical heroine but doesn't particularly stand out. Harshita Srinivas adds a lively presence as the second heroine, bringing a bubbly charm to the screen.
Rajiv Kanakala and Tanikella Bharani deliver solid performances, playing their respective roles convincingly. Overall, while some performances are passable, there is room for improvement in terms of expression and emotional depth, which would elevate the impact of the characters on screen.
Haddhu Ledhuraa, crafted by Rajasekkhar Raavi, initially promises a tale of friendship and love. The narrative introduces us to Krishna and Arjuna, friends whose bond captures the audience's interest. However, the story takes a sharp downturn from this point onward, failing to deliver any compelling scenes.
As the plot progresses, it becomes increasingly predictable, particularly the love story between the lead characters, which comes across as silly and unconvincing. The first half concludes without much impact, and the entirety of the second half feels like a meandering journey with no clear direction. The screenplay is particularly lacking, with the so-called twists failing to generate any excitement.
By the time the film reaches its conclusion, viewers are left feeling relieved, with some even regretting not leaving during the interval. The dialogues, for the most part, are ordinary, with only a few moments of note. The editing by Gowtham Raj Nerusu leaves much to be desired, although he can't be entirely blamed, given the weak storyline and the inclusion of repetitive scenes.
Kamal Kumar's music does provide a bright spot, with a couple of melodious songs that are beautifully filmed. However, the background score lacks the necessary depth. Ankani Anand's cinematography is passable, while the production values fall below the expected standard. Overall, Haddhu Ledhuraa fails to deliver on its initial promise, ultimately leaving audiences disappointed.
Altogether, Haddhu Ledhura falls short of expectations as an entertainer, focusing on themes of friendship and love. Director Rajashekkar Raavi's narrative feels uninspired, lacking the creative spark needed to captivate the audience. The screenplay and direction fail to engage, leaving the storyline feeling stale and unoriginal.
The performances also leave much to be desired, failing to elevate the film beyond its lackluster execution. Taking all these aspects into consideration, Cinejosh gives "Haddhu Ledhu Raa a rating of 1, reflecting its below-average quality.