K Raghavendra Rao’s Shirdi Sai (2012) Movie Review

Film: Shirdi Sai Producer : Maheshwara Reddy
Director : K.Raghavendra Rao
Star Cast : Nagarjuna, Srikanth, Kamalinee Mukherjee…
Music Director: MM.Keeravani

K Raghavendra Rao has often been depicted as one of the top directors who specialize in making films that represented chronicle, culture, nativity of Devotional films.  He continues the same trend in his latest, Shiridi Sai. After sensational Annamayya and decent Sri Ramadasu, duo Director K Raghavendra Rao and Nagarjuna team up for Shirdi Sai.

Coming to story line of Shirdi Sai its complete biography of Sai Baba based on Sai Satcharitha. This film is all about Sai Baba’s Evolution-until his death. How a young Sai baba come to shiridi later left to Himalayas illuminated about religions, philosophies. Later return to Shirdi, with his miracles in low time people recognize him and turn as devotees. How Baba brings changes in everyone. How did Wales and Bhaita who oppose Sai Baba turn as his devotees? Movies end with Baba entering Samadhi, Leaving the earthly body to save his devotee Thatya…

Nagarjuna is commendable as Sai Baba. He drives the movie along. His variations were effective in the second half. Sharath Babu is apt. Ruchita Deshmuckh is fine as Lakshmi Bai. It was nice seeing Kamalinee Mukherjee after a gap, she is perfect match as the devoted disciple of lord Krishna. Srikanth overacted in some scenes. The comedy track between Ananth, Shayaji, Ali and other comedians was not convincing. Sai Kumar came with a decent role. Srihari role is not convincing. Others did their roles with their required standards.

Scenes I Liked:

• Anusuya episode (With Bapu Sketches)

• Om Sai Sri Sai Song

• Saikumar – Nagarjuna Scene

• Matham kanna Manashi mukyam scene

• Soul leaving Baba body

• Climax

Keeravani work dominates throughout the movie, he is just fantastic. Baba Bhajan & Songs are lynchpin of this movie. Lyrics complimented the tracks perfectly. Raghavendra Rao’s midastouch is clearly visible in 2^nd half (esp. when Shirsi Sai leaves body for 3 days and Climax 15 minutes). Keeravani has outdone Raghavendra Rao again with his soulful music. Raghavendra Rao failed to take the real spirit of Keeravani music to the next level by his picturization and narration. Srihari. Ananth, Ali, Darmavarapu Subramanyam scenes were terrible and failed to generate comedy. Important “Sabka Malik ek hai “sequence was not perfectly shot, acute devotional scenes were missing in the movie. Visual effects are average. The editing could have been better and the script would have made an impact if it had little velocity. The sets were well made and costumes were good. Dialogues are appealing in parts. Production values are grand.

First Half of Shirdi Sai is okay; one can feel tedium sometimes. But movie bounces back in Second half with few arresting scenes with decent pace. Shiridi Sai is refreshing change for audience from the furious and romantic films in recent times. Positives of Shirdi Sai are Songs, Nagarjuna, and Cinematography. On the flip side Narration, No Intese scenes, Editing & Comedy.  K Raghavendra Rao and Keeravani magic works again. Shirdi Sai is not as brilliant as Annamayya and Sri Ramadasu, but if you are into devotional movies you will love this one too.

Theatrical Trailer: