Akkineni Naga Chaitanya’s teaming with director Maruthi and the served extra advantage of festive season with Ramya Krishna in Atha character made SRA the best pick for this week. At the same time, Atha-Alludu is a proven formula in Tollywood and music by Gopichand is already a chartbuster. Let us see, how far SRA lived up to our anticipations.
Chaitu (Naga Chaitanya), the only son of egoistic millionaire (Murali Sharma) falls in love at first sight with Anu (Anu Emmanuel), the only self-esteemed daughter of Warangal based egoistic, influential woman Shailaja Reddy (Ramya Krishna). To win his love, Chaitu has to settle the things in Shailaja’s house including that of issues between daughter and mother. How Chaitu and his friend (Vennela Kishore) accomplishes their job is rest.
To begin with, Maruthi cursed himself by selecting a storyline that hasn’t got any punch. While the conflict itself is feeble, the way he etched inconsistently egoistic characters has hit the screenplay to a six. Despite this template appears to be formulaically commercial with ample scope to ripen drama and generate humor, Maruthi did not make much use of situations. With egoistic disorder being main theme and three characters suffering on same problem, nowhere he left the main lead to exhibit heroism. This made the film to dawdle here and there before pushing for a known, predictable climax. As a director, Maruthi has to come out of this disorder frame before his image dries up. Dialogues were good at times.
Nizar Shafi’s camera work is top notch. Every frame and each visual appeared colorful, particularly canning of songs is a feast. Couple of songs from Gopi Sunder stood big advantage and his RR is at best in enhancing the scene impact. Editing by Kotagiri is methodical. Finally, production standards from Sithara Entertainments are top notch.
Naga Chaitanya appeared handsome with thick moustache, light beard and stylish costumes. His screen presence is also wonderful in a rather delicately designed role. Anu Emmanuel finally got scope to perform and she did well as egoistic girl. Ramya Krishna’s Atha role demanded much more power and masala. Murali Sharma is just an extension of Brand Babu. Coming to comedy, Prudhvi and Vennela Kishore justified their presence. Naresh as henpecked husband is brief and the rest may not need a mention.
Naga Chaitanya, Anu Emmanuel
Cinematography
Music
First Half
Second Half
Storyline
Screenplay
Direction
Comedy
General assumption from Telugu audience is that whenever Atha, Alludu dispute comes to the fore on screen, too many highs with full-too entertainment is expected. Maruthi cornered himself for SRA by touching a new angle in Atha-Alludu conflict which hasn’t got enough meat to serve entertainment. When Atha herself is positively designed, from where will drama and fun arrive.
First half begins on a safe note introducing egoistic Murali Sharma, his simple son Naga Chaitanya. After the brief family establishment, immediately comes in Anu Emmanuel exposing her temper. Scenes here on between Chay, Anu are surely time pass with couple of well-tuned songs saving big time. In between, Kishore’s comic timing worked. Using maid thread for Chay to realize Anu’s love is good. Murali Sharma’s party and announcement of Chay, Anu engagement is also good leading the way for entry of Ramya Krishna.
Second half is all about Chay’s journey to Warangal to impress Shailaja Reddy and settling the petty issues at home. Here on, story moves at leisure pace with hollow substance. Narration is very much clichéd, plain and songs placement went horrendous thus disconnecting with audience. Instead of emotional gluing, Maruthi played on pale elements closing the film on average note.
All in all, Maruthi missed to show his touch for SRA. Confining himself to disorder syndrome, Maruthi delivered one more disappointing film that can well get a 2.25 rating from CJ. If you have time to burn and want to enjoy couple of good songs along with Anu-Chay romance, give this a try for the festive holiday. Box Office verdict depends on how well B, C center family audience embrace the film.