Junior NTR’s triple roles in title characters marked the biggest attraction for film which has hit screens today beginning the much awaited Dasara season on a big note. Directed by Bobby of Sardaar Gabbar Singh fame with Rashi Khanna, Niveda in other glam parts, let us see what JLK is here to offer us?
Jai, Lava and Kusa are three brothers working as artists in Tenali Drama Company performing mythological stage plays with uncle (Posani). Elder brother Jai develops hatred and jealous against his rest of the two brothers because of his stammering weakness. While performing a drama one day, the stage is set on fire and three brothers get separated presuming that everyone is dead. Into the present after 20 years, Lava (Jr NTR) is a good natured bank manager falls for Priya (Raashi Khanna) and Kusa (Jr NTR), a cunning thief is on a trial to fly USA. After an accidental meet of these two brothers, situations turn adverse as both of them are kidnapped to Bhairanpur in Orissa, controlled by Jai aka Raavan Maharaj (Jr NTR), a ruthless gangster who is ambitious to join Parliament. To overcome his stammering weakness in winning the public trust to become an MP and marry his lady love Simran (Niveda Thomas), Jai employs Lava and Kusa on respective jobs. In the process, Lava and Kusa also determine to bring Ram out of a Raavan inside Jai…did they succeed?
Jai Lava Kusa is not a simple story and script to execute. The script is thoroughly designed to showcase NTR strengths and how terrific actor he really is. Idea of Bobby to draw parallels between Ramayana and contemporary triplets from childhood is acceptable. As the film runs on, one can find a mythological flavor in Jai’s Raavan characterization to connect with. In between, Bobby failed as a director in filling scenes of Lava and Kusa with numerous flaws in treatment and execution. Kona and Bobby’s writing part lacked in penetrating dialogues though here and there Jai injects intensity with dialogue delivery. Bobby’s efforts are praiseworthy in beginning, climax while rest is a regular fare. CK Muraleedharan and Chota K Naidu’s camera work is good in Jai introduction portions. Editing followed the beaten path as screenplay hasn’t got big twists and turns. Devi Sri Prasad’s background score dominated the poor score on songs. VFX is again mediocre. Production standards from Kalyan Ram and NTR Arts are also just fine.Onto performances, NTR occupied more than 90 percent of screen space with Jai haunts us for a while. Tarak is versatile and a powerhouse talent. His skill to get into Jai characterization was effortless. Coming to Lava and Kusa, there’s nothing new to offer because a dose of Adhurs Chary is evidentially felt. Performing two to three roles in every scene is a challenge for any actor and there’s no other artist than NTR to accept such challenges. Raashi Khanna, Niveda Thomas did not make any impact. Abhimanyu Singh and Ronit Roy are spineless villains. Posani shined brightly in pre climax portions consolidating the story in one line. Sai Kumar played his part decently. Tamanna’s item song is raunchy. Nanditha, Priyadarshi played small roles.
StoryNTR As RaavanCorrelating Concept With NTR Personal LifeClimax
DirectionMakingPredictable ScreenplaySongsLove TracksWeak Villainy
As mentioned above, Jai Lava Kusa glues more with audience not for on screen story but for the off screen personal life of NTR. In one line, Jai appeared like a replica of NTR who fought against all odds to achieve stardom and Nandamuri brand. Despite a fact that JLK story sights freshness, Bobby and Kona could have scored further more by adding more emotional peaks instead of wasting time on inodorous Lava and Kusa tracks. Beginning the first half sowing seeds for a vigorous Jai’s characterization, Bobby concentrated more on stage plays as the three child artists gelled well in lengthy scenes. First fifteen minutes went well. Introducing Lava and Kusa has been a time taking process with mild entertainment dose. Lava’s bank scenes and love with Raashi Khanna are frail. Kusa also appeared very regular imparting some comedy. Kusa entering into Lava role demanded much more on treatment. From here on, story moves on at its own pace till Jai enters with a bang kidnapping Lava, Kusa which is in fact the major highlight.Second half calls for much more as Sai Kumar begins to narrate Jai’s childhood and his journey as gangster in Bhairanpur taking on opposition villains. This is told in a commercial mould which might please Fans. Reason behind a powerful Jai employing Lava, Kusa on political and love grounds is silly and unjustified. One episode of Lava asking the bank managers to rescue farmers is heart touching. Kusa romance with Niveda Thomas is just ok. Once Jai takes extreme step to eliminate the clues of triplets, film gets a genuine acceleration. Posani episode, Ramayana episode and sentiment filled action on Jai, Lava, Kusa makes way for one of the meaningful climaxes in recent times.In total, Jai Lava Kusa stands tall for Jai’s character and terrific performance from NTR. Had director Bobby took proper care in interweaving necessary entertaining, emotional peaks JLK could have been an overall masterpiece. For now, it’s a treat for NTR Fans to anchor with their hero’s off screen personal life presented beautifully on big screen. Commercially, JLK will open to some mind blowing figures and long run depends on how audiences react at Jai. Being Dasara holiday season, Jai Lava Kusa is set to create new records. CJ goes for 2.75 stars congratulating NTR for his impeccable acting skills.