Movie Review: Taxiwala
Rating: 2.75/5
Cast: Vijay Devarakonda, Priyanka Jawalkar, Malavika Nair, Madhu Nandan, Vishnu, Ravi Varma, Sijju, Yamuna, Ravi Prakash, Kalyani, Kireeti, Uttej, Chammak Chandra & Others.
Music: Jakes Bejoy
Cinematography: Sujeeth Sarang
Screenplay-Dialogues: Saikumar Reddy
Producer: SKN
Story-Direction: Rahul Sankrityan
Vijay Devarakonda created a brand image for himself with unique subjects. 'NOTA' couldn't live up to the hype built following the stupendous success of 'Geetha Govindam'. And now, Vijay arrived with 'Taxiwala' which is the subject he believed so much. This Thriller directed by Rahul Sankrityan released Today overcoming all the hurdles. Let's see what it is...
Synopsis:
Shiva (Vijay Devarakonda), a graduate, who lands in Hyderabad for his livelihood does many odd jobs. Finally, He reaches a conclusion that it's better to become a Cab Driver. Shiva could only manage buying a 25-Year-Old Car with his savings. He, however, succeeds in making the four wheeler look great with necessary modification. When everything is going great, Shiva realizes there is a ghost in his car based on the unusual things happening in it. What is the backstory of the Devil? Why is it haunting Shiva? How did the Cabbie get rid of the Soul? Find answers in theatres screening 'Taxiwala'..!
Performances:
Vijay Devarakonda got into the skin of the character effortlessly. Just few minutes after the beginning, Viewers start looking at him like a Cab Driver without bothering about his image. Styling might be far away from the reality but Vijay got it right when it comes to body language, dialogue delivery and natural performance.
Priyanka Jawalkar looks cute but there isn't much scope for her to perform. She hardly got the screen time in the Second Time.
Malavika Nair left a mark of her own in the small yet crucial role. As Hero's Friends, Madhu Nandan & Newbie Vishnu excelled. They should be given credit for the ample comedy quotient in the movie. Chammak Chandra evokes few laughs. Sijju is okay as antagonist. Yamuna, Ravi Varma, Ravi Prakash, Kalyani and Uttej have done justice to their roles.
Pros:
Vijay Devarakonda
Comedy
First Half
Cons:
Few Unconvincing Scenes
Lag In The Second Half
Technicalities:
The crew worked in tandem for making 'Taxiwala' technically sound. Songs & Background Score provided by Jakes Bejoy stood as one of the highlights. 'Maate Vinaduga' Song is the best track in the album. All the Beat Songs have been composed very well. Cinematography by Sujeeth Sarang is an asset. Lighting Themes provided by him are perfect for a film in this genre. Editing is crisp for most part. Art Direction is flawless. Production Values are as per the requirement of the subject. Director Rahul Sankrityan and Writer Saikumar Reddy showed how good they are in their respective crafts. Situational Dialogues, Taut Screenplay & Good Presentation worked in favour of 'Taxiwala'. Rahul established himself as a new-age filmmaker with the way he handles the horror thriller. He dealt situational comedy and crucial scenes in the story pretty well. On the flip side, He was unable to narrate the new point convincingly.
Analysis:
Horror Thriller is a genre which could never go out-dated. Since 'Prema Katha Chitram', 'Thriller' has been replaced with 'Comedy' in many films in search of success. It has come to the stage that people stopped paying attention to films in this genre due to the same template. 'Taxiwala' is being made without deviating from the actual story. Narrating the Super-Natural Element in a scientific way offered a new experience to the viewers. Though it doesn't have thrilling scenes and hilarious comedy blocks, Engaging Screenplay is what worked for this Horror Thriller.
'Devil In The Car' is the core point of 'Taxiwala'. Few Hollywood Films & Nayantara-starrer 'Dora' were based on similar theme. People assumed 'Taxiwala' could be a routine revenge drama. What makes it unique is the concept of 'Astral Projection' which is related to the existence of soul. This new point raises the curiosity of the audience and keeps them engaged if logic is ignored.
Humour is the major highlight of 'Taxiwala', particularly situational comedy in the First Half. Just alike Priyadarsi in 'Pelli Choopulu' and Rahul Ramakrishna in 'Arjun Reddy', Another promising comedian is being introduced in the Industry by a Vijay-starrer. Vishnu generated good comedy with his casual performance. His Combination Scenes with Madhu Nandan and Vijay Devarakonda are a laugh riot. Romantic Track of the Lead Pair is good enough. Concept of 'Devil in the Car' is well established & the Interval Bang is effective. First Half of 'Taxiwala' wins the hearts.
Pace Drops during the Flashback episode in Second Half. Director failed to narrate the concept of 'Astral Projection' convincingly. There is a bit of lag in these portions & seriousness resulted in the drop of 'Taxiwala' graph. Hungama of Hero Gang in Villain's home & Mortuary is pretty good, but rest of the Second Half is on a serious mode. Even Pre-Climax & Climax aren't up to the mark. Overall, 'Taxiwala' is a film which offers a good experience to the movie lovers though it have few flaws.
Bottom Line: Go For A Ride!
Rating: 2.75/5
Cast: Vijay Devarakonda, Priyanka Jawalkar, Malavika Nair, Madhu Nandan, Vishnu, Ravi Varma, Sijju, Yamuna, Ravi Prakash, Kalyani, Kireeti, Uttej, Chammak Chandra & Others.
Music: Jakes Bejoy
Cinematography: Sujeeth Sarang
Screenplay-Dialogues: Saikumar Reddy
Producer: SKN
Story-Direction: Rahul Sankrityan
Vijay Devarakonda created a brand image for himself with unique subjects. 'NOTA' couldn't live up to the hype built following the stupendous success of 'Geetha Govindam'. And now, Vijay arrived with 'Taxiwala' which is the subject he believed so much. This Thriller directed by Rahul Sankrityan released Today overcoming all the hurdles. Let's see what it is...
Synopsis:
Shiva (Vijay Devarakonda), a graduate, who lands in Hyderabad for his livelihood does many odd jobs. Finally, He reaches a conclusion that it's better to become a Cab Driver. Shiva could only manage buying a 25-Year-Old Car with his savings. He, however, succeeds in making the four wheeler look great with necessary modification. When everything is going great, Shiva realizes there is a ghost in his car based on the unusual things happening in it. What is the backstory of the Devil? Why is it haunting Shiva? How did the Cabbie get rid of the Soul? Find answers in theatres screening 'Taxiwala'..!
Performances:
Vijay Devarakonda got into the skin of the character effortlessly. Just few minutes after the beginning, Viewers start looking at him like a Cab Driver without bothering about his image. Styling might be far away from the reality but Vijay got it right when it comes to body language, dialogue delivery and natural performance.
Priyanka Jawalkar looks cute but there isn't much scope for her to perform. She hardly got the screen time in the Second Time.
Malavika Nair left a mark of her own in the small yet crucial role. As Hero's Friends, Madhu Nandan & Newbie Vishnu excelled. They should be given credit for the ample comedy quotient in the movie. Chammak Chandra evokes few laughs. Sijju is okay as antagonist. Yamuna, Ravi Varma, Ravi Prakash, Kalyani and Uttej have done justice to their roles.
Pros:
Vijay Devarakonda
Comedy
First Half
Cons:
Few Unconvincing Scenes
Lag In The Second Half
Technicalities:
The crew worked in tandem for making 'Taxiwala' technically sound. Songs & Background Score provided by Jakes Bejoy stood as one of the highlights. 'Maate Vinaduga' Song is the best track in the album. All the Beat Songs have been composed very well. Cinematography by Sujeeth Sarang is an asset. Lighting Themes provided by him are perfect for a film in this genre. Editing is crisp for most part. Art Direction is flawless. Production Values are as per the requirement of the subject. Director Rahul Sankrityan and Writer Saikumar Reddy showed how good they are in their respective crafts. Situational Dialogues, Taut Screenplay & Good Presentation worked in favour of 'Taxiwala'. Rahul established himself as a new-age filmmaker with the way he handles the horror thriller. He dealt situational comedy and crucial scenes in the story pretty well. On the flip side, He was unable to narrate the new point convincingly.
Analysis:
Horror Thriller is a genre which could never go out-dated. Since 'Prema Katha Chitram', 'Thriller' has been replaced with 'Comedy' in many films in search of success. It has come to the stage that people stopped paying attention to films in this genre due to the same template. 'Taxiwala' is being made without deviating from the actual story. Narrating the Super-Natural Element in a scientific way offered a new experience to the viewers. Though it doesn't have thrilling scenes and hilarious comedy blocks, Engaging Screenplay is what worked for this Horror Thriller.
'Devil In The Car' is the core point of 'Taxiwala'. Few Hollywood Films & Nayantara-starrer 'Dora' were based on similar theme. People assumed 'Taxiwala' could be a routine revenge drama. What makes it unique is the concept of 'Astral Projection' which is related to the existence of soul. This new point raises the curiosity of the audience and keeps them engaged if logic is ignored.
Humour is the major highlight of 'Taxiwala', particularly situational comedy in the First Half. Just alike Priyadarsi in 'Pelli Choopulu' and Rahul Ramakrishna in 'Arjun Reddy', Another promising comedian is being introduced in the Industry by a Vijay-starrer. Vishnu generated good comedy with his casual performance. His Combination Scenes with Madhu Nandan and Vijay Devarakonda are a laugh riot. Romantic Track of the Lead Pair is good enough. Concept of 'Devil in the Car' is well established & the Interval Bang is effective. First Half of 'Taxiwala' wins the hearts.
Pace Drops during the Flashback episode in Second Half. Director failed to narrate the concept of 'Astral Projection' convincingly. There is a bit of lag in these portions & seriousness resulted in the drop of 'Taxiwala' graph. Hungama of Hero Gang in Villain's home & Mortuary is pretty good, but rest of the Second Half is on a serious mode. Even Pre-Climax & Climax aren't up to the mark. Overall, 'Taxiwala' is a film which offers a good experience to the movie lovers though it have few flaws.
Bottom Line: Go For A Ride!