Merlapaka Gandhi’s Venkatadri Express (2013) Movie Review
Cast: Sundeep Kishan, Rakul Preet Singh, Brahmaji, Thagubothu Ramesh, Sapthagiri, M S Narayana, Nagineedu & Narsing Yadav.Director: Merlapaka GandhiMusic Director: Ramana GogulaEditing: Gautham RajuCinematography: Chota K. naiduCensor Certificate: URuntime: 127 Minutes
Ram Murthy (Nagineedu) who believes in discipline more than his family. He keeps a kutumba chattam, where he says when a family member crosses hundred mistakes in his life will be leaving the home. Brahmaji gets engaged and family member plan to marriage at Tirupathi. Sundeep (Sundeep Kishan) a happy go lucky guy on the verge of being thrown out of family as whenever he tries something good, it boomerangs. In one such occasion, he faces the ire of his family for his 99th mistake. In the meanwhile, Prathanna (Rakul Preet Singh) gets into a software company CGtrix, to full fill her wish plans a Tirupathi visit. But things turns around when Sundeep and Rakul misses the Venkatadri Express. Will Sundeep end up making 100th mistake? Will Sundeep and Rakul reach Tirupathi on time? The rest of the film imbibes the incidents that occurred during a train journey and what effect it has on the characters forms the rest of the film.
Sundeep Kishan is mature in his role and is credible in emoting the different stages in his characterization. Rakul Preet Singh has a very good screen presence and her gorgeous looks will certainly floor the young audience. Both the leads needs to improve in their emotional sequences. Nagineedu, Brahmaji do not let you down. The comedy department is very effective with Sapthagiri and Thagubothu Ramesh. M S Narayana scenes could have been handled better. Pruthvi is fine in his cameo.
The film has some good technical support. The entire credit of using the technical team to the best advantage of the film should go to Director Merlapaka Gandhi. The story is simple. It’s about a person who commits ninety nine mistakes and is on the verge being thrown out of his home. In the process to impress his family he takes a major deal in brother’s marriage. A funny story that happens around a train journey from Hyderabad to Tirupathi. Venkatadri Express, which is directed by young debutant director Merlapaka Gandhi (Karmara Devuda short film fame) whose treatment leaves a lot to be desired. Screenplay is shabby in the second half. Gandhi has good flair for conceiving comedy scenes. He succeeded in comedy department in the first half and failed in elevating the emotions part in the second half. The scenes of catching train speed with Auto, Car and Bus are very unconvincing. The scenes in the climax between Sundeep and Nagineedu are unconvincing reminds you the Bommarilu sequence. Chota K. Naidu has also excelled in outdoor photography. Editing is not crisp. Editor could have easily cut short scenes pre interval like ATM machine scene – Car sequence and MS Narayana Scenes. All these dialogues are pretty natural and are in lighter vein. Songs by Ramana Gogula are good in the film. Picturization of Melamellaga is very pleasant. All other songs also serve entertainment purpose. Rerecording of the film is good. Visual effects by CGtrix is neat. Production Values by Anandi Arts banner are promising.
First half of the Venkatadri Express is average. Second half is dragged, but the things got straightened as the movie approached climax. Positives of the film are Thagubothu Ramesh – Sapthagiri comedy, lead performances and Music. On the flip side, loose script, climax and narration in the second half mars the film. On the whole, You may watch Venkatadri Express in your leisure time.
Survi Reveiw: 2/5
Theatrical Trailer:
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