Movie Review: ISM

Rating: 2.5/5

Cast: Kalyan Ram, Aditi Arya, Jagapathi Babu, Tanikella Bharani, Posani Krishna Murali, Gollapudi Maruthi Rao, Vennela Kishore, Shruti and Others

Music: Anup Rubens

Cinematography: Mukesh

Producer: Kalyan Ram

Story, Screenplay & Direction: Puri Jagannath

Release Date: 21st October 2016


Kalyan Ram has mostly worked with debutante/upcoming Directors so far. For the first time, He teamed up with a well established/star filmmaker like Puri Jagannath and that's how 'ISM' materialized. Kalyan Ram's shocking transformation and stylish promos has generated good buzz around the movie. The film based on the ideology of a Journalist hit the screens Today. Has ISM met the expectations?

Synopsis:

Mafia Don Javed Ibrahim (Jagapathi Babu) who is based in an Island protects the black money of Indian billionaires. Street Fighter Kalyan Ram (Nandamuri Kalyan Ram) falls in love with Javed's Daughter Alia (Aditi Arya). But, Alia hates Kalyan Ram so much. Without realizing that Kalyan Ram is in love with his Daughter, Javed Ibrahim helps him in getting closer to Alia. Upon knowing about the trap, Javed turns violent and eventually comes to know about the mission of Kalyan Ram. What for Kalyan Ram laid this trap? Does he really loves Alia? Know more in the theatres screening ISM!

Performances:

Kalyan Ram has undergone a remarkable makeover for 'ISM'. Be it the new look, body language and dialogue delivery, He is a complete revelation here and the hardwork put in by him could be seen onscreen. Yes, Kalyan Ram has done pretty well in the court room sequence. But, His performance doesn't match the hype created by Puri.

Aditi Arya is just eye-candy. Her cuteness might appeal for few but she disappoints with her performance.

Jagapathi Babu appears as a stylish Mafia Don. However, His character wasn't etched out well and hence it doesn't leave a good impression.Tanikella Bharani is first rate. Vennela Kishore produces few laughs.

Pros:

Kalyan Ram's Makeover

Action Blocks

Climax

Cons:

Dialogues

Screenplay

Direction

Technicalities:

Anup Rubens has done a fine job. While couple of songs were pleasing to the ears, Background Score given by him is a pleasant surprise. Cinematography by Mukesh is an asset to the movie. Especially, Chase scene & Action Blocks were captured brilliantly. Production Values of NTR Arts are grand. The whole film looks so rich. Puri Jagannath disappoints as the spark in his writing goes missing here. Just alike some of his recent films, Screenplay doesn't either excite the audience or arrest their attention.

Analysis:

A Mafia Don who have lakhs of crores under his control can't resist himself from puffing a country-made cigar. Spotting Hero use the same brand, He befriends him and also helps him to win the love of his soulmate. Setting this trap, Hero exposes the Black Money scandal. That's how scenes in 'ISM' have been executed and it turns out to be a movement against corruption towards the end.

Films such as Bharateeyudu, Tagore and Aparichithudu have been based on fight against corruption in the system. These projects have ample commercial values yet seriousness was maintained well and hence they had hit the right chord with the audience. Sadly, That element went missing in 'ISM' which is hugely influenced by Julian Assange of WikiLeaks.

Although the basic plot is good, Narration lacked the required depth and poor characterizations played the spoilsport. The seriousness one expects from such subjects can't be seen as the role of Jagapathi Babu is poorly etched. The Love Story in 'ISM' is similar to what we have seen in most of Puri's films. Audience could predict how the Interval Block is going to be. Overall, First Half is decent enough.

Actual story of 'ISM' begins in the Second Half. Hero starts disclosing his mission but the scenes weren't exciting enough. The scene showing how the protagonist hacks bank accounts and how he takes total system under his control look very silly. Dialogues uttered by the Hero wearing the mask are ineffective. Action Sequences were picturized well. Once the mission was disclosed, People just wait for the Climax. The Court Room sequence might appeal to the mass audience and Nandamuri fans. On a whole, 'ISM' falls short of the expectations.

Bottom Line: This Ideology have a limited appeal!