Raj Tarun, hoping to rebound from a string of box office disappointments, is back with "Bhale Unnade," directed by J. Siva Sai Vardhan. The film marks a crucial moment for the young actor as he strives to reignite his career. "Bhale Unnade" is set to hit theaters on September 13, 2024, leaving fans eager to see if Tharun can deliver the entertainment and success he desires.
Bhale Unnade story is all about the saree draper and the developments in his life and how he deals with the happenings in personal and professional life and also the way he faces the society. Radha (Raj Tarun), working as a saree draper, faces societal ridicule for his unconventional profession. Despite the whispers and mockery, he finds love in Krishna (Manisha Thakur), and with the blessings of their elders, they become engaged.
However, a shocking twist throws Radha's life into disarray. The film explores the impact of this upheaval and delves into the interconnected lives of Radha's mother Gouri (Abirami Gopikumar), Srinivas (Singeetham Srinivasa Rao), Revathi (Leela Samson), Darabont (VTV Ganesh), and Prathap (Hyper Aadhi), revealing how their individual stories converge to shape the narrative.
Raj Tarun successfully stepped outside his comfort zone, portraying an innocent and honest young man with a strong love for his mother and fiancée. His performance was commendable, particularly in several emotionally charged scenes, though his dialogue delivery remained consistent with his previous roles.
Manisha Kandkur brought a youthful energy and bubbly personality to the screen. She delivered strong emotions and expressions in key moments and added a touch of glamour to her performance.
Singeetham Srinivasa Rao and Leela Samson made their presence felt in their respective cameos, adding depth to the narrative.
Ammu Abhirami delivered a compelling performance as the single mother, particularly showcasing strong emotions during the pre-climax. Hyper Aadhi, VTV. Ganesh, and Racha Ravi provided solid performances in their respective roles, contributing to the overall cast ensemble.
"Bhale Unnade," directed by J. Siva Sai Vardhan, aimed to be a youthful entertainer showcasing a new side to Raj Tharun. The initial premise of Tharun as a saree draper, sporting a clean-shaven look, offered a fresh take. However, the novelty quickly faded, giving way to a predictable narrative.
The mother-son sentiment and the standard hero-heroine romance felt cliché and failed to engage the audience. While the twist introduced before the interval hinted at a potentially intriguing second half, the director relied heavily on forced humor, especially in the ashram and arrack song sequences, which felt out of place and lacked genuine comedic impact.
The supporting cast, including VTV Ganesh and Raj Tharun, failed to ignite any excitement, and key scenes involving Singeetham Srinivasa Rao and Leela Samson, which should have fueled the lead pair's blossoming love, fell flat. The pre-climax and climax attempted a unique approach, but they were ultimately overshadowed by the film's overall thin plot.
Siva Sai Vardhan struggled to craft a compelling story from a weak foundation, resulting in an underwhelming screenplay and direction. A thorough script revision before production could have potentially salvaged the film.
Sekhar Chandra's music was unremarkable, with songs failing to make a lasting impression and even hindering the pace at times. The background score, while adequate, lacked depth. Nagesh Banell's cinematography visually enhanced the film, while Srikanth Patnaik's editing was unremarkable, a reflection of the overall weak narrative. The dialogues were decent, and production values remained strong.
Overall, "Bhale Unnade" missed the mark due to a predictable storyline, forced humor, and uninspired direction. Despite attempts to introduce a fresh character portrayal of Raj Tharun, the film ultimately succumbs to its inherent weaknesses.
Altogether, Bhale Unnade turns out to be an outdated entertainer. Raj Tarun attempted to depart from his usual roles in "Bhale Unnade," but unfortunately, director Siva Sai Vardhan's execution fell short. While Raj Tarun's performance offered a refreshing change, the film suffered from a predictable plot and weak screenplay. Despite efforts to salvage the script, the overall weaknesses in direction ultimately hindered the final product. Considering these factors, Cinejosh awarded "Bhale Unnade" a dismal 1.5 rating.