Heroes Allari Naresh, Sunil and director Bheemaneni Srinivasa Rao haven’t scored hits for long. The trio teamed up for remake of Tamil hit movie Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran. Will this movie provide much needed break for them? Let’s discuss in the review part…
Veera Babu (Allari Naresh) is right hand of a tailor turned MLA Jacket Jankiraman (Jayaprakash Reddy), a loyal aide to the local minister. Jacket’s close rapport with the minister doesn't go down well with the latter’s brother-in-law (Posani Krishna Murali) and another politician (Raja Ravindra). Before the minister dies, he confesses to Jacket about the hidden Rs 500 cr to be used for the betterment of people. Jacket meets with an accident and unfortunately, enters coma. He must come out of coma to unite Veera Babu with his girlfriend (Chitra Shukla) and Veera Babu’s best friend Suri Babu (Sunil) with his fiancée (Poorna) and also to find the hidden money. Rest of the story is what efforts Suri Babu and Veera Babu put in to resolve all the problems.
Bheemaneni Srinivasa Rao is known for remaking super hits of other language films in Telugu. Silly Fellows is also remake of Tamil hit. However, comedy worked only in very few places. Bheemaneni showed his experience in dealing pre-climax episode which is most hilarious part of whole film. Anish Tharun Kumar’s cinematography is old-fashioned wherein music by Sri Vasanth adds to the negatives. None of the songs are pleasing, though background score is reasonable. Editing was not sharp and production values of Blue Planet Entertainment LLP and People Media Factory are acceptable..
Onto artists, Allari Naresh and Sunil are regular and didn’t make strong impact. There’s indeed nothing great to speak about their performances. Heroines Chitra Shukla and Poorna are given less scope. Although Chitra got couple of songs, Poorna is restricted for 3 to 4 scenes. Nandini Rai of Bigg Boss 2 fame is awful as a record dancer. Jayaprakash Reddy is the show stealer. His spotless comic timing kept audience on float. In fact, without JP, there’s no Silly Fellows. Brahmanandam is not funny whereas Posani Krishna Murali brings laughs in pre-climax episode. Among the rest Raghu, Chalapathi Rao, Jhansi and others did their part.
Few Comedy Scenes
Jaya Prakash Reddy
Story
Clichéd Narration
Music
Cinematography
Bheemaneni Srinivasa Rao is an expert in dealing comedy. But, the biggest problem for him is he is not a story writer which is the reason why he adopts stories of other language films. Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran worked high time in Tamil because of hilarious writing and wonderful performances from lead actors. But, all these positives did not work in Telugu version.
Right from the word go, both Allari Naresh and Sunil makes it uncomfortable for audience with their silly and nauseating acts. Naresh’s efforts to set bride and grooms for mass marriage will only test our patience. The reason of Sunil accepting for dummy marriage is inane. Nandini Rai’s entry makes the narrative further mind-numbing. Interval episode promises second half will be interesting with each and every character becomes reliable on Jaya Prakash Reddy’s character.
Second half too starts on dull note, though there was enough scope to bring laughs. Songs placement too is a little out of sorts, especially the last song that comes before the climax. One reason why songs are tiring to watch is may be because most of them don’t work and they are passable. However, movie turns interesting, ever since Jaya Prakash Reddy gets kidnapped. The pre-climax episode where JP narrates secret of hidden money will chuckle your funny bones. Movie ends on happy note, but we won’t come out happily.
In totality, Silly Fellows is a regular comedy caper that lacks entertainment quotient. Both Allari Naresh and Sunil looked ordinary. There’s no such support from any other cast and crew, except for Jayaprakash Reddy who has got a meaty role. The film however has chances to please comedy lovers. CJ goes with 2.5 stars crossing the fingers on Box Office result.