'Krishnamma' Movie Review
Cast: Satyadev, Athira Raj, Archana, Lakshman Meesala, Krishna Burugula and others.
Music: Kaala Bhairava
Cinematography: Sunny Kurapati
Producer: Krishna Kommalapati
Writer - Director: VV Gopalakrishna
Talented actor Satyadev earned a name for himself with his performances in versatile roles. His action drama 'Krishnamma' got released today and it marks the debut of director VV Gopala Krishna. Let us see how the movie turned out.
Story:
Bhadra (Satyadev), Siva (Krishna Burugula) and Koti (Lakshman Meesala) are three orphans who grew up in Vinchipeta area of Vijayawada. Shiva goes to jail in childhood for a crime he didn't commit and he stays away from crime and runs a printing press. Bhadra and Koti sell illegal drugs and other small-time activities. Thanks to the girl he loves, Bhadra leaves everything behind and runs an auto and makes a living honestly. While their lives are going smoothly, the three of them are forced to deal Ganja once again and they get caught by the police on return. Their lives turn upside down and end up in jail. Who put them in jail? How did they get up? What is the reason behind all this crime? Answers to these questions will be known in the movie.
Analysis:
There are very few directors who don't think about commercial elements and narrate the story as honestly as possible. Despite having the risk of losing the universal appeal, they stay true to the story and not dilute it with songs and unnecessary scenes. VV Gopala Krishna did the same with 'Krishamma'. He narrated a story that deal around atrocities faced by small people when the police wanted to sideline the big names in any case. The story is quite heavy as it is based on the sensational Ayesha Meera murder case that happened in the united Andhra Pradesh. The director presented it well on the screen too.
But the problem is that there are no novel elements in the story despite having a lot of intensity. Gopala Krishna did not follow the commercial format which is commendable but it gives a regular revenge drama feeling as it reaches the end. It leaves the audience with mixed feeling. But you can watch it once without any fears and inhibitions. The plot of 'Krishnamma' follows the lines of 'Shock', 'Manoharam' and the recent Kannada hit film 'Sapta Saagaralu Daati'. How the police scapegoats three youngsters who commit a petty crime in order to protect a politician's son and his friends is the main story and it has been narrated with intensity and honesty. After facing a lot of hardships three orphans get hope in their lives but everything turns upside down. The director took a long time to establish the main characters which makes the first half a bit slow.
He showcased the lives of orphans, how they get on the wrong track and what needs to be done in a sensible fashion. But the audience have to wait for a long time for the story to take a turn. The director showed his prowess in the scenes which revolved around the three main characters ending up in deep trouble after being forced to accept the crime they did not commit. We are shown how the police behave in a rude and ruthless fashion during such times. These are the highlight portions of 'Krishnamma' and a few scenes will make you emotional. The movie moves with a strong tempo from pre-interval to pre-climax. But it is not tough to predict what the hero and his friends do after coming out of jail. The regular revenge drama doesn't excite you. Though one particular episode stands now, the rest is quite ordinary.
Overall, there is nothing new in the story but the narration is quite honest and effective. There are elements that will make you emotional. People who like raw, rustic and serious films will be impressed by 'Krishnamma'. But people who love commercial flicks may not be entertained by it.
Performances:
Satyadev has proven many times that he is a phenomenal performer. He even dominated Chiranjeevi in 'Godfather'. He essayed the role of 'Bhadra' in a wonderful fashion. He breathed life into this character. He expressed anger and emotion for his loved ones in a convincing fashion. He did well in the revenge scenes as well. We can witness the intensity in his performance throughout. Lakshman Meesala did a fantastic job as well. He was perfect for the role of a friend who stands by the hero's side all the time. Krishna Burugula is okay too. Athira Raj did amazingly too. She did not look like a heroine but as a main character in the movie. Her screen presence and acting are impactful. The actor who did the police officer role is villainous. The rest of the actors are okay.
Technicians:
The technical quality of 'Krishnamma' is quite good. Kaala Bhairavaa matched the story's intensity with his music. Re-recording played a key role in getting the audience involved. The songs are okay and Sunny's visuals are delightful. They suited the tone of the film and the production values are decent as well. Though the limitations are evident, producers should be appreciated for supporting this script.
Writer-director VV Gopala Krishna picked up a risky story right at the start of his career. He was sincere and did not compromise while narrating the story. But it was a bit slow and the first half should have been crisper without any unnecessary scenes. He should have made sure that there were more surprising elements in the movie. But he scored decent marks with his debut film.
Verdict: Krishnamma – A Good Attempt!
Rating: 2.5/5