Anaganaga O Dheerudu - Review

Film: Anaganaga O Dheerudu
Cast: Siddharth, Sruthi Haasan, Lakshmi Prasanna, Baby Harshita, Ravi Babu, Ali, Ramji, Phani and others
Dialogue: Jayasimha
Music: M M Keeravani, Koti, Mickey J Meyer, Salim-Sulaiman
Cinematography: S Soundar Rajan
Editing: Shravan Katikaneni
Stunts and action: Dee Dee Ku and William Ong
Art: Bhupesh R. Bhupathi
Production design: Raj Golay
Visual Effects: Firefly
Produced by: Prasad Devineni and Prakash Rao Kovelamudi
Presented by: Walt Disney Pictures and K Raghavendra Rao
Written and directed by: Prakash Rao Kovelamudi
CBFC Rating: U/A
Release Date: January 14, 2011

What's it about!
Once upon a time, in a mythical land of Angarajya, an evil queen Irendri (Lakshmi Manchu) creates havoc and people take shelter at an ashramam run by Sadhu. And the Sandhu sends a kid called Moksha, with mystical powers, to heal the people suffered by an unknown disease, to the neighboring rajya. A blind swordsman Yodha (Siddhartha) protects the girl. On the other hand, Irendri who lives on taking the drop of blood of Priya (Sruthi Haasan) daily comes to know that if she swallows blood of Moksha, she would live forever as immortal. Priya (Sruthi) a gypsy kind of girl was once Yodha's lover. Now it is Yodha's mission to save Mokhsa from Irendri and also get Priya out of Irendri's clutches.
Analysis
Fantasy films are not new to Telugu moviegoers. Folklore hero saving a girl/lover is also known theme us, as sixty years ago NTR starrer K.V.Reddy directed Patala Bhairavi (1951) had the same theme. Graphically extravagant movies like Arundhati (2009) and Magadheera (2009) are also enticed us. So, when Hollywood giant Walt Disney's forays into Telugu cinema industry with a fantasy film, ' Anaganaga O Dheerudu', one expects nothing less than visual splendor. Well, first time director Prakash Kovelamudi's this fantasy movie doesn't let you down on visuals and graphics.Indeed, the movie has never seen before visuals effects on Telugu screen, colorful sets, and a theme that can one easily connect with. Visuals are alluring, to say the least.

Yet, the movie doesn't give you feeling of astonishment, or goose bumps or kick like one felt when we see Arundhati or Magadheera . Moreover, the movie's narration fluctuates constantly - just as you feel when the movie is reaching to the peak, in immediate scene it falters. No doubt the visuals are striking, and when Lakshmi Manchu as Irendri performs with right gait and evilness, you drawn into the Angarajyam and when Diva like Sruthi Haasan casts her charm on hero, you love the romance. But other than that the sluggish narration and weak writing doesn't let the film float.
                         
The basic plot line and character of Irendri is copied from the Hollywood flick - Willow (1988). And the blind swordsman aka Siddarth is designed on the lead character played in Japanese movie - Zatōichi (2003). What is more, even Mohan Lal's Yodha (Malayalam) also runs on similar grounds.

In nutshell, Anaganaga O Dheerudu, is nice fantasy flick with alluring visuals, rich production work, excellent cinematography and can be seen for once especially kids.
Performances
In the role of blind swordsman and romantic guy Siddharth looks good but this kind of role needs rugged person. He has charm for a fantasy flick, no doubt. But he should have beefed up muscles more to look even perfect as Yodha. He should also have tried for variation in dialogue delivery.

Sruthi Haasan seems like Diva and she is the most alluring part of the movie. Her costumes are perfect. As a gypsy like girl with mischief attitude, she looked wow. Her chemistry with Siddhu is also simply perfect. Sunitha's voice is also suited to her.

Lakshmi Manchu is a surprise. Whenever she comes on to the screen, the movie rises to the high. Added by some great visual effects, as sorceress, she is fiery and evil personified. Her flawless dialogue delivery has brought effectiveness to the portrayal of evil queen.

Baby Harshita in the role of Moksha is cute. Ravi Babu uttering Nimma ..Danimma and Ali putting two wind fans on chest, Brahmanandam as Jaffa have tried providing comedy but their enactment is odd to the storyline.

Technically, it is a spectacular film. A notch above all the earlier VFX movies in South India. Sounder Rajan's cinematography is top-notch. Artwork by Bhupati is splendid. He has used bright colors for sets that has given fantasy look. The production design is innovative. Editing by newcomer Sravani is smooth. Although international action choreographers composed fights, they are not that great to rave about.
                         
Four music directors - Keeravani, Koti, Mickey, Salim-Sulaiman - have provided music for the movie. Two songs are impressive but songs have played a hindrance to the smooth flow of narration. But background score is splendid.

Writer and director Prakash Kovelamudi, son of veteran director K Raghavendra Rao, has great visual sense like his father. His firm grip on technology is clearly visible. As a director he gets full marks, but his script is not that sufficient to engross till the end. Also his narration is inconsistent. Moreover, dialogues by Sasi Rajasimha are not gelled with the theme of the movie. The use of words like Jaffa, etc show lack of seriousness by the writer, for such a fantasy movie.
Bottom-line
Anaganaga O Dheerudu is visually alluring and graphics and effects are outstanding. It is a fantasy flick shot with bright colors and great sets. Although it has not 'kick', the movie can be seen for once and especially kids would enjoy it more.
Rating: 3/5