Gopichand Malineni’s Balupu (2013) Movie Review
Cast: Ravi Teja, Sruthi Haasan, Anjali, Prakash Raj, Brahmanandam, Lakshmi Rai, Ali and others
Music: S S Thaman
Cinematography: Jayanan Vincent
Screenplay and directed by: Gopichand Malineni
Censor Certificate: A
Runtime: 149 Minutes
Mass Maharaja Raviteja is been going through the worst phase of his career at the moment. He have experienced seven failures in a row after Mirapakaay and is yet to break the flop streak. This film is being directed by Gopichand Malineni, who earlier made Don Seenu with Raviteja. Anjali and Shruti Hassan are the heroines in Balupu and their previous films were blockbusters. Let’s see if Balupu ends the miserable run of Raviteja and put him back on success track.
Ravi (Raviteja) a bank recovery agent in Bangalore and leads his life peacefully with his father Prakash Raj. Unexpectedly he meets Shruti (Shruti Haasan) and Brahmanandam. Who has a habit of trapping innocent guys and using them in the name of love. Raviteja wants to teach them a lesson. As he does that Shruti falls in love with him. Nasser (Shruti’s father) accepts Shruti’s love decide to get them married. Here enters Ravi’s past in the form of Poorna (Ashutosh Rana). What is Ravi’s Past? Who is Anjali? Forms the rest of the storyline.
The highlight of the film could be a spectacular performance by Mass Maharaja Ravi Teja, who just stands out from the rest of the actors. With a show that is a delight to watch, he displays his true credentials as a mass performer. Shruti Haasan is red hot in the songs. She is good in romantic teasing episodes. Anjali makes a good impression with her role. Prakash Raj has a meaty role in this film for which he has done justice. Lakshmi Rai sizzled with Lucky Lucky item song. Ashutosh Rana is competent in his role. Brahmanandam comedy episode is funny in parts. Ali, Ajay, Rao Ramesh, Adivi Sesh, Nasser and Jaya Prakash Reddy are wasted.
Well, the story looks nothing new and the situations have been seen before several times, in some of those old mass-comedy-dramas. Still scenarist Gopichand Malineni have managed in developing this weak plot into an average script. Director Gopichand Malineni doesn’t experiment much here and you can’t find every emotion in the required measures that would be essential in a commercial film. Especially scenes like Jumping Jappak, Scenes imitating other actors in the second half. It also gives the feeling that a tighter script and a more stylish narration could have made this film more interesting.
Music by Thaman SS is adequate. All the songs are well choreographed. Pathikela Sundari, and Lucky Lucky are treat to eyes. BGM is okay. Dialogues in this film are neat.
Photography by Jayanan Vincent is good. Graphics work is pretty natural. Fights by Stun Siva, Allan Amin and Ram Lakshman are OK. Editing by Gautham Raju could have been crispier. Production values by PVP cinema are good.
Survi Verdict: First half of the film is entertaining in parts. Interval bang is major drawback as it reveals majority of the second half. The second half should have been handled well as it encapsulates the main story of the film. Balupu certainly follows the same old formula, but even then it is a fairly enjoyable ride. It could have been more attractive, if it was at least thirty minutes less in its length. If you don’t think too much and just want to have some funny time at the theatres, this one could be a possible option.
Survi Review: 2/5
Theatrical Trailer:
my rating 3.5/5