Krishnamma Kalipindi Iddarini Review

Behind the Movie KKI: As an on screen pair, Sudheer Babu and Nanditha gel well with superb chemistry as seen in ‘Prema Katha Chithram.’ They are back to entertain us with KKI, a remake of Kannada hit ‘Charminar’ directed by R Chandru. Let us see, how faithful was producer Lagadapati Sirisha, Sridhar towards this remake. 

In the Movie KKI: Story begins with introduction to four village guys planning for reunion of their old school friends. They begin with phone call to Krishna (Sudheer Babu), a Software Entrepreneur in the USA. Actual story starts when Krishna lands in Hyderabad and begins his journey to native village explaining his flashback.

Krishna admires, loves Radha (Nanditha) from childhood. He comes across a couple of favorable situations to express the love but narrowly misses it first time in college and then in graduation days. How Krishna’s life takes a meaningful shape under the influence of supporting poor parents, good friends, motivating teachers and an inspirational lover is the core. 

What is the tragedy happened with Radha and how Krishna still accepted her as a life partner is the rest.

Values of the Movie KKI: Telugu cinema has come across ages in giving us many emotionally heart touching films with high and valid doses of sentiment or romance. Every such movie left a decent impact. KKI being a remake, director Chandru managed strong Telugu nativity by setting the picture perfect rural backdrop for takeoff. Screenplay although has no big pinching elements, it’s the heartwarming content added with message filled dialogues does the trick. 

Direction wise, Chandru has done a decent job sticking to his unadulterated character development of main leads. He well captured the feelings of responsible youth fighting towards a goal with love track running in parallel. Chandru caught the childhood and Intermediate college episodes of hero, heroine majestically. However, he fell flat with routine and unimpressive stuff handling those Engineering episodes. Second half looks quite stale with over dramatic scenes draining the show. Apparently, pre climax and climax brings the film partially back on track despite an Aravam flavored climax.    

Writing of Khadeer Babu and Chandru is sure to leave high emotional touch on audience. So is the melodious music from Hari. Cinematography by KS Chandrasekhar is pretty befitting in catching the beauty of waterfalls and Ramesh Kolluri editing could have been better if boredom in certain areas is curtailed. Production values of Rama Lakshmi Cine Creations of Lagaddpati Sirisha, Sridhar are in tune with the concept.

About performances, Sudheer Babu offered best of his career. His tough grind to change the body language and appearance for childhood, early maturity (intermediate), near maturity (engineering) and complete maturity (as a software engineer) stages should be surely appreciated. He was brilliant in climax portions. Nanditha is although present for name sake, Sudheer ran away with the show. Posani as College Principal, Pragathi as Nanditha’s mother, Giri Babu as Sudheer’s father did very well. Posani character needs a special mention. Sudha, Sapthagiri, Chaitanya Krishna and other artists who have done friends to Sudheer Babu have done well.

Out of the Movie KKI: Inspired by a true love story, director Chandru narrated the entire film through a director’s character in film. Narration looks natural with youth feelings, aspirations, dreams and responsibilities highlighted. Big drawback is, there are how many such ideal students who respond positively with poise on every adverse curve of life. So, unrealistic characterizations might deter the overall connectivity. 

Film travels at a leisurely pace with repetitive scenes leaving viewers in fatigue. However best part is, many would not have imagined of an artist of this caliber present in Sudheer Babu. He stood the main pillar of entire film. Pre climax and climax portions covering Sudheer’s speech at school alumni function followed by meeting a tragic fated Nanditha are well worked out. In the same way, the artists chosen for childhood characters of main leads have also excelled.

These kinds of concepts do not require any exceptional scripting skill in raising the curiosity of viewers. Whatever said should warm our hearts and patrons should be connected with painful emotions of lead pair. In that sense, Chandru and Sudheer have pinched us into tears in some parts with soul in story kept intact. Hari’s BGM has also complimented well. 

First half has enough of entertainment with a feeble interval bang. Second half dips gradually scene by scene. By climax, Chandru tried to reunite the feel.  

If Nanditha has overshadowed the presence of Sudheer Babu in ‘Prema Katha Chithram,’ it’s the other way here as Sudheer’s performance definitely left Nanditha handicapped. 

KKI might open more for critics’ applause than commercial appreciation. Known for clean family entertainers with morale leveling speeches to trigger the motivations in youth, Rama Lakshmi Cine Creations stayed true to its credibility. Congrats to Sirisha, Sridhar and Sudheer Babu for accepting the challenge. We need to wait and see; how will be trade equations?  

Cinejosh Verdict of KKI: Pure, Emotional Love Story.

                                                           Cinejosh Rating: 2.75/5.0

                                                                               Reviewed by Srivaas