Movie Review: GOPALA GOPALA

Update: 2015-01-10 05:38 GMT
Rating: 3/5

Cast: Pawan Kalyan, Venkatesh, Shriya, Mithu Chakravarthy and others

Cinematographer: Jayanan Vincent

Music: Anup Rubens

Screenplay-Direction: Kishore Pardhasany

Producer: Suresh Babu, Sarath Marar

Release date: 10th January, 2015

Though remake of “Oh My God”, today’s release “Gopala Gopala” grabbed immense attention due to the presence of Pawan Kalyan playing a special cameo. As the film releases, expectations raked up and initial teasers added fuel to it. Let us see how it goes.

The CONTENT

Gopal Rao (Venkatesh) is a petty businessman who sells idols of God but doesn’t believe in God. He preaches on his atheist philosophies and makes mockery of God whenever possible but his wife Meenakshi (Shriya) is an ardent devotee of God. A sudden earthquake topples the life of Gopal Rao as his shop gets completely destructed in the devastating natural disaster. As he knocks door of Insurance Companies to recover his investments, they simply put him down saying that they don’t cover insurance for natural disasters. That makes Gopal Rao sue God and pull his representatives, various swamijis played by the likes of Mithun Chakroborthy and Posani Krishna Murali, to the step of court. To guide Gopal Rao in this case, Lord Krishna (Pawan Kalyan) himself turns up, and how he guides Gopal Rao to victory is the rest of story.

The EFFORT :  

On-Screen:

Known for his matured and slap-stick comedy, Venkatesh delivers an awesome treat again. His timing in comedy, delivering punch in crucial court episodes where he takes on God stand atop. We can’t expect any other Telugu hero wearing the shoes of this role of an atheist.

Powerful characters are the game for him, and Pawan Kalyan delivers effortlessly now. If not for his presence, this Lord Krishna role wouldn’t have got such aura and glory around it, but however one should not expect trademark Pawan-styled acting. His subtle acting, timed dialogues and emotional impact takes audiences by a storm. His though provoking dialogues in combination with Venkatesh are awesome treat to watch.

Mithun Chakravarthy as a Godmen steals the show with his classy acting. He reprised the same role he has done in the original. Posani Krishnamurali generated laughter as Siddeswara Maharaj, while 30 years Prudhvi as a lawyer brought few laughs. Krishnudu as Venky’s loyal assistant did commendable job. Though Shriya is seen as Venky’s wife, her middle-class wife role is limited and good.

Off-Screen:


Making minute changes to suit the taste of Telugu audiences, director Kishore Pardhasany has handled this remake quite well. And handling two big stars is no easy task. He should be praised for integrating Pawan’s charisma and Venky’s star status quite well into two well-carved roles. Screenplay is entertaining, but he tumbled a bit in the second hour as lag is visible.

Jayanan Vincent always gives decent visuals for Pawan’s movies and he repeated it again. Certain frames are rich and Kasi episodes showcase his mettle. Anup Rubens thrills with background score, while the three songs he scored are top notch. Bhaje Bhaje is the pick of the album. Dialogues move souls at times and fun they have created in unlimited.

But Visual Effects team has let us down at parts. For a film that has biggest star-cast we cant’ imagine some cheap graphics. Though these are not hindering flow of the film, at times they disturbed the mood.

The PLUSES:

·         Pawan, Pawan-Venky chemistry

·         Though provoking dialogues

·         Songs in second half

The MINUSES:

·      Little dragged second half

·         Simple climax

BREAKDOWN:

Director Kishore Pardasany is chosen by Suresh Babu to remake ‘Oh My God’ and everyone wondered if he could do justice to the satirical concept that is aimed at Godmen. As he handles the film, one could notice that he stayed with the original most of the time rather shivering at knees due to presence of big star cast. That originality wins admiration of general cinema lovers, but fans may not have that punch in the spine.

Film starts on a comic note with Venkatesh taking every bit against God and throwing satires on people who advocate Godliness and relate everything to God’s magic. As Venky takes on the show, Shriya as his wife and Krishnudu as his assistant steal the thunder. Graph picks up as a calamity strikes the scenario and puts this quirky satirist lead in the fix. Maybe fans will go impatient as their ‘God’ hasn’t yet entered. A plane jane first half gets maximum kick when Pawan enters in the interval, promising much for the second hour. As the second half takes off on an emotional note, with no heroic quotient and Pawan playing it under the roof, probably fans lose that pep but those philosophical scenes hold ground. With songs and certain conflict scenes in the court top notch, film promises much, but a weak climax has completely lets down.

Films like ‘Gopala Gopala’ that have terrific content in the first place don’t need big stars. However, Pawan and Venky brings that stormy look to the film but their subtle action may not satisfy mass-seeking movie lovers. Box office collections will be terrific in the first three days due to start fact but we have to see how the movie fares after the Sankranthi weekend. On a whole Gopala Gopala is a thought provoking movie.

The FINISHING Line: Watch it for its thoughts

Review By: Hapra
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