Jaya Ravindra’s Nee Jathaga Nenundali (2014) Movie Review

Cast: Sachiin Joshi, Nazia Hussain, Rao Ramesh, Shashank, Posani Krishna Murali, Shubhangi Latkar.

Music: Mithoon, Jeet Ganguly and Ankit Tiwari

Director: Jaya Ravindra

Producer: Bandla Ganesh

Censor Certificate: UA

Runtime: 134 Minutes

It’s been a long time since we have seen Sachiin Joshi in a Telugu movie, the last film we saw him in was Orey Pandu (2005). He got busy with his business, films in Bollywood (even they were bombed) and of course he owns a team – Telugu Warriors in the Celebrity Cricket league (CCL). So how was his reentry in Tollywood? Let’s get on with the review and find out.

Raghav Jayaram (Sachiin Joshi) is a singer who is in the process of ruining his career and everything he has because of his alcohol addiction. After one of his concerts, Raghav goes to a bar despite the advice of his manager and best friend, Vivek (Shashank). There he meets Gayatri Nandana (Nazia Hussain), who is the bar singer and happens to be singing his song. He is impressed by her voice and promises to take her to Hyderabad After a couple hurdles, he ends up mentoring her and she becomes a huge star. Meanwhile, Raghav’s career is pretty much over, which he doesn’t take very well. As much as he tries to be supportive, his jealousy does come in the way. It also doesn’t help that he has an alcohol addiction. Gayatri does her best to better Raghav, and never gives up on him. I’ll stop there so I don’t give too much away, but that’s the general storyline.

The film actually seems like a poor attempt to re-launch the career of Sachiin Joshi. However, it does not seem likely to yield the desired result for him. Nazia Hussain didn’t fit the bill. She doesn’t look so attractive. Neither of the two has the finesse of being able to play the lead as yet. They have given their best for the roles, but their best fails to impact the audience. If that isn’t enough, the film is also weighed down by cliche ridden script. It leaves a lot too much to Sachiin and Nazia, but neither of them has the substance yet to be able to cover up for what the script lacked. Rao Ramesh is perfect for his role. Shashank over acted in his role, he should amend his acting abilities. Rest of the characters are supportive.

Nee Jathaga Nenundali is an official remake of Bollywood super-hit film Aashiqui 2. The Original was an unofficial remake of A Star Is Born (1976) film, directed by Frank Pierson. Because of its piquant subject and music, after its first release in 1937, it got remade twice in 1954 and 1976. Even Aashiqui (1990), revolves around the same subject, but has some variations to stand on. Jaya Ravidra who made his debut with Bumper Offer, and failed to click with Dillunodu now he fails again with Nee Jathaga Nenundali. Rather developing the script and point to suit the local audience, director just plays safe and remakes the film as it is in the original (with camera angles and dialogues). Movie was built up as an intense romantic saga, but intense films need to be runny and have uniformity in spite of the upheavals that take place in regards of the storyline. The director doesn’t seem too interested in explaining why Raghav seems resolute on drinking his way to an early grave and audience kept on wondering till the very end about what is it that makes him have a death wish (Even in DEVDAS [sorry for comparing], we knew the reasons behind his alcoholism). Moreover, after realizing his heart beats for Gayatri he never tries to turn over or either tries to push her away so as to not ruin her life (a rehab camp would have been a better option). Nee Jathaga Nenundali is an extended documentary on evils of alcoholism than a pure love story. Jaya Ravindra’s story telling is tedious, the moments are there but it fails to charm the viewers as the director just couldn’t not establish the lead characters for the audience who fail to identify with them. The chemistry between Sachiin and Nazia is ice cold the pair fails to beat the heat. Telugu version fails to capture the soul and feel of Aashiqui2.

Music by Mithoon – Aikith Tiwari and Jeet Ganguly is soothing and major asset of the film. The re-recording of the film is good. Cinematography by A. Vasanth is neat. He elevates every song with his charismatic ability. Editing could have been crispier. VFX shots are just poor. Production values of the film are grand.

Nee Jathaga Nenundalli is more of a rehash than remake. Soulful music, High-end Production values and Cinematography Nee Jathaga Nenundali had its chances but the predictability, poor translation, worst performances and the pointless lyrics in the film kill them ruthlessly. The problem is not that the storyline is inspired, but the issue is with the overall handling. The pace of the film is so slow throughout and is always interrupted by songs with meaningless lyrics. The dialogues are poorly written and wafer thin script has nothing much to offer. In amovie like this one needs to feel for their love and romantic world. But sadly it never really happens. The proceedings remain dull and drab leading the audience to point of vexation.

What Is Good: Production Values, Cinematography and Music

What Is Bad: Thin Storyline, Actors performances, Lead Chemistry, Lyrics, Dialogues, Editing and Direction

Survi Review: 1/5

Theatrical Trailer: