Krish’s Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum (2012) Movie Review

After the success of films like Gamyam and Vedam director Krish is hoping for a hattrick, with his upcoming film, Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum. KVJ has Rana Daggubati and Nayanatara in the lead roles while Kota Srinivasa Rao, LB Sriram and Posani are playing important roles. Mani Sharma has composed the music. Already audio received a good response. Especially “Jaruguthunnadi Jaganatakam” sung by SPB is the best of the album.

Krish who wrote the story inspired by the philosophy of Sri Krishna as enshrined in the Gita, has infused revolutionary dose into the film. According to Krish KVJ have all commercial elements to satisfy all the viewers of all classes.

B.Tech Babu (Rana) is the grandson of a legendary theatre actor Subrhamanyam (Kota Srinivasa Rao), from Surabhi group. He is a typical young man and he wants to complete his studies and leave for USA. But his grand father forces him to perform one last drama ‘Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum’ at the Bellary Natakotsavam before he moves out of the country. This is when he bumps into reporter and documentary filmmaker Devika (Nayantara), who makes him realise the daylight robbery and alleged mining run by Reddappa (Milind Gunaji) and Chakravarthy (Murali Sharma) in Bellary. How this reporter changes a selfish actor into a selfless and courageous human being will form the crux of the story.

Rana gives his BEST performance till date as B.Tech babu. He never overboard his histrionics and gave a controlled performance. Nayanatara is good in the role of a documentary filmmaker. Kota Srinivas Rao is amazing as Subrhamanyam. He is the back bone of the movie. Posani Krishna Murali is apt for the role of Tippu Sultan. LB Sriram also has a vital role he is fine. Sameera Reddy Item number is voluptuous; Venkatesh cameo in the same song is entertaining. Murali Sharma and Milind Gunaji are alright. Brahmanandam & Satyam Rajesh are wasted.

Positives: Music, Story, Dialogues, Rana, Posani Comedy, Jaruguthunnadi track
Minus: Songs spacing, Drags inbetween, Fights, Pre climax could have been better, Slow Narration

Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum storyline is definitely a different one for Telugu audience. Several thoughts like theatre – mining – border get compiled in KVJ. Screenplay is thought provoking. But it should have been more compact. Krish succeeded in directing the flick in a unique way but connecting factor n intensifying narration was missing in this one.

Though things get a bit melodramatic at times, Krish succeeds in presenting the woes of the protagonists and Bellary situations, in an effective way. There are some well crafted scenes and hard hitting dialogues (by Sai Madhav Burra) that make the film look eminently echt.

Mass brahma turns Melody brahma this time music by Mani Sharma is a major asset to the film. The songs are scored well and background music is effective. Especially Jaruguthunnadi Jaganatakam a hair-raising experience. But director failed in spacing the songs. Cinematography is fair. Fights are unrealistic. Editing by Shravan should have been better. Artwork is authentic. Production values are fine.

Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum begins pretty well. There is Ballery – Theatre backdrop that is synonymous with the director’s style, Rana gives his best performance. As we break for intermission, we sincerely feel that another success story is in the cards, from the award winning filmmaker. But things continue to be predictable n flimsy in the second half. When compared to Krish’s last films like Gamyam – Vedam, this film is nowhere near. Obviously, this one could have been better. On the whole, Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum falls short of being a brilliant one. But needs to be appreciated for its courage to experiment.