G. Ashok’s Sukumarudu (2013) Movie Review

Cast: Aadi, Nisha Agarwal, Chandra Mohan, Raghu Babu, Tanikella Bharani
Director: G. Ashok
Producer: K. Venugopal
Genre: Drama, Family, Romance
Censor Certificate: U/A
Runtime: 160 Minutes

After Choreographing more than 300 songs, making two award winning documentaries, Failing with his first two films (Flash News & Aakasa Ramanna) director G. Ashok finally tasted a decent success with Pilla Zamindar which was Ashok’s third movie that had Nani, Bindu Madhavi and Haripriya in the leads, Now Ashok teamed up with Aadi & Nisha Aggarwal for a family entertainer titled Sukumarudu. Let’s check out whether G. Ashok is successful to enter into promising league of directors with Sukumarudu.

Coming to story line of Sukumarudu, Sukumar (Aadi) who was raised from childhood to be first in life, becomes best CEO in overseas. He values importance of time and don’t have any feelings for love or human relations. His father wish Sukumar to visit his grandmother Vardhanamma (Sarada) who longs to see her granddaughter. But Sukumar spurns his father as he gives importance to the growth of his company.

Suddenly when his company plunges in financial crisis, he tries for bank loan and when he couldn’t get anywhere he realizes that he has his ancestral property which can be his, if his grandmother signs it. With a plan in mind he flies to India and whether he is successful in his attempts should be seen on silver screen.

Aadi is pretty good as Sukumar. His dialogue delivery improved a lot and he is looking good in casual and comedy scenes compared to his earlier movies. He underplayed his character well. Actress Nisha Aggarwal, infuses some refreshing charm into her weakly written character. Sonakshi Sinha’s Cousin Bhavna Ruparel is okay. Chandra Mohan, Gollapudi Maruti Rao, Tanikella Bharani are alright in a limited roles. Superstar Krishna and Sarada are good. Raghubabu, MS.Narayana, Jaya Prakash Reddy, Tagubotu Ramesh comedy is outdated.

Pilla Zamindar’s director Ashok, Firstly approached Siddharth to play the main protagonist the film. But due to lack of dates, he walked out of the movie. Later Aadi was approached for the main lead. Aadi in the first instance liked the script and passion of director, immediately approved the project.

As director told earlier Sukumarudu is inspired from a novel called Main Street. It’s about an NRI from Europe who returns India for his business expansion. He is a selfish guy and he prefers money over relationships. This film is all about how he gets transformed into a good guy after visiting his village. Sounds somewhat similar to a recent movie? Yes, Movie runs on the similar lines of Nagarjuna’s Greeku Veerudu. Movie even touches some points of Gouravam and Pila Zamindar.

Good things first. If you are ready to delve deep into director Ashok’s Sukumarudu, there is a credible storyline, which could have been made into a fine film. But the real fact is that no such efforts have been made here and the film ends up as a disappointing effort. The repeated attempts to boost the hero make the proceedings quite melodramatic as well and the old fashioned narrative doesn’t help matters either.

Songs scored by Anup Rubens are average. Neela Akasham track makes an impact. Background music and mixing dominates the scenes at times. Cinematography by Sai Sreeram is nice. The location of old palace is aesthetic. Fights are good. Editing should have been crisper as there quite a few unnecessary scenes in the movie.

Survi Verdict: In an effort to narrate an emotional story, Sukumarudu ends up as a film in a rather outdated pattern, especially during the crunch situations. The feeling of ‘haven’t we watched all these several times before?’ may come to your mind during most sequences. Of course, the film has some nice moments in between, but still disappoints. Wait for its Home Edition.