Ok Bangaram Review

Behind the Movie Ok Bangaram: Time has come for Mani Ratnam to relive up to the expectations of public as he is continuously falling flat with row of flops in recent times. Teamed up with AR Rahman, PC Sreeram, Nithya Menon, Dulquer and Sreekar Prasad, the film has hit the screens today. Let us see, what is this movie all about?

In the Movie Ok Bangaram: Story starts off with Aadi (Dulquer Salman) landing in Mumbai railway station to meet Tara (Nithya Menon). They again catch up coincidentally at their common friend’s wedding. Slowly, they get into a different bond with no name. Aadi lives sharing the room with old couple of Ganapathi (Prakash Raj), Bhavani (Leela Samason). In no time, Aadi and Tara get into a live-in relation convincing Ganapathi. 

As the story progresses, Aadi working for a gaming company succeeds in his job to live for USA. In parallel, Tara being an architect has a dream to join a college in Paris. How Aadi and Tara pass through a transition phase to realize their real love? How Bhavani, an Alzheimer’s patient and Ganapathi’s emotional bond helps Aadi and Tara in a change forms the overall concept.

Values of the Movie Ok Bangaram: Mani Ratnam is back into his old form selecting a youthful story which can easily connect with present day audience. The theme of Live-In relation modifying into a bond of marriage is aesthetically presented. The simple situations magnified the touch of Mani Ratnam when he comes out with beautiful execution. Tracks of Nithya-Dulquer resembled the touch of Madhavan-Shalini in ‘Sakhi.’ Such is the classic flavor. Screenplay runs on engaging format. Though a bit of boredom seeks into the narration during the early stages while introducing the characters, ones Nithya and Dulquer into live-in relation, Mani cruises on with trademark treatment. Direction wise, he is the best making his team to come out with excellent output. 

PC Sreeram’s visuals are so realistic. The mix of dim and colorful shades used as per the demand of scene enhanced the feel. Pre climax block of rain episode in search of Bhavani showed PC at his regular best. Sreekar Prasad editing is quite convincing. He made the film so connecting with a mere play between four characters. AR Rahman music is the real soul of film. Smallest of musical bits joined in between left an everlasting impact. Dialogues by Kiran and lyrics by Sirivennela are one of the biggest strengths. Production values of Madras Talkies and Dil Raju are at comfortable levels.

On performance front, Dulquer Salman is although new to Telugu patrons he looked perfect in a boy next door character. The guy has decent looks and can fit into youthful roles easily. His mannerisms are chirpy and today’s youth can be an easy connect with him. Nithya Menon is forever the show stealer. Give her a role with mettle and she takes it above perfection level. Her chemistry with Dulquer was stunningly impressive. Prakashraj yet again gets a touching, challenging role and delivers it worthwhile. He becomes the main catalyst in driving the film to next level. He delivered a good message with very few dialogues. His life style was designed to precision. Leela Samson is quite sympathetic as a patient. Among the rest, everyone has fit the bill.

Out of the Movie Ok Bangaram: For those audience who are searching for Mani’s flavor of romance and his best of works something like Sakhi, here it is. Although there is predictability in scripting and some olden, tested sub plots used yet this can be a delightful watch. There is a good dose of hard work and wonderful team work visible. 

Unlike the past failures, Mani hasn’t gone with experimental theme. He took the best elements from his past films to make ‘Ok Bangaram’ a definite treat for youth. AR Rahman and PC Sreeram are cent percent giving when it comes to Mani. Thanks to the casual approach in penning the dialogues, authenticity is preserved. Lyrics by Sirivennela made Rahman’s music better amplified.

First half of the film closes on an interesting note when the lead pair gets into live-in relation. Second half traverses smoothly with career and real love showing a diversion. Later on, the thread of Prakashraj-Leela Samson serving as a role model for exhibiting the sacredness in husband-wife relation takes it to a lovely climax. 

Ok Bangaram has plenty of ingredients to shine in Metros or higher order centers. For lower classes, there is still something to connect for. Commercially and technically, Mani showed his mark and efforts.

Cinejosh Verdict of Ok Bangaram: You are Lovely Bangaram.

Cinejosh Rating: 2.75/5