Viva Harsha, known for his comedic flair, is transitioning to a leading role with the intriguingly titled film, Sundaram Master. The project has piqued tremendous interest, especially since Mass Raja Ravi Teja has decided to back it. Directed by Kalyan Santosh, the film is set to release on 23rd February. Audiences are eagerly anticipating how Sundaram Master will captivate and entertain them.
Sundaram Master tells the story of an English teacher named Sundaram, played by Viva Harsha, who is assigned to the remote village of Miryalametta. The village, disconnected from the outside world, seeks an English teacher, and MLA (Harshavardhan) fulfills their request by sending Sundaram.
The narrative explores the repercussions of this decision and delves into the intentions of various characters, including Sundaram, MLA, village girl Myna (Divya Sripada), village head (Balakrishna Neelakantapurar), Oja (Chaitu Babu), and others. Their interactions and motives form the crux of the story, unfolding in an intriguing manner as the plot progresses.
Harsha Chemudu delivered a commendable performance as Sundaram Master, displaying a range of expressions and emotions. His portrayal skillfully captured Sundaram's selfishness, particularly evident when he goes to meet a potential bride or reluctantly agrees to go to the village. Chemudu also effectively portrayed Sundaram's transformation, showing compassion and other nuanced emotions upon encountering the innocence of the villagers and the unfolding events.
Divya Sripada shines in her role as a tribal girl, bringing authenticity to her character. Harshavardhan, despite limited screen presence, delivers an adequate performance. Chaitu Babu, Balakrishna Neelakantapurar, and the other actors portraying villagers also perform admirably, effectively driving the story forward with their portrayals.
Sundaram Master, crafted by director Kalyan Santosh, presents a simple yet engaging storyline. While similar narratives have been explored in the past, such as in Allari Naresh's "Itlu Maredumilli Prajaneekam," Santosh opts for a light-hearted approach to entertain audiences, with Harsha Chemudu leading the way.
The film kicks off on an intriguing note as Sundaram is taken aback to discover the villagers conversing fluently in English. The first half unfolds in an exciting manner, culminating in an engaging idol episode. However, the second half leans more towards sentiment, with the entertainment factor taking a backseat. Despite this, the film wraps up with a simple yet satisfying climax.
The dialogues are a highlight, offering humor and emotional depth, particularly in the second half. Santosh's direction ensures a simple yet effective portrayal of the story, complemented by decent screenplay execution.
Deepak Yaregara's cinematography beautifully captures the scenic natural locations, adding a realistic touch to the film. Sricharan Pakala's situational songs are visually appealing and well-composed, blending seamlessly with the storyline. His background score effectively enhances the narrative.
While Karthik Unnava's editing is adequate, there is room for improvement in the second half to maintain a more engaging pace. Overall, the film boasts good production values, contributing to its overall appeal.
Sundaram Master" is a delightful comedy that manages to entertain audiences. Kalyan Santosh skillfully directs the film, extracting a commendable performance from Harsha Chemudu. Chemudu shines in his role, adding depth to the comedy with nuanced emotional shades. However, the script could have been refined further to enhance the overall impact of the film, transforming it into a more engaging and hilarious entertainer. Taking all aspects into account, Cinejosh gives "Sundaram Master" a rating of 2.