Nandini Reddy’s Kalyana Vaibhogame (2016) Movie Review

Nandini Reddy’s Kalyana Vaibhogame (2016) Movie Review

Crew:

Directed by Nandini Reddy, Produced by K L Damodara Prasad, Music By Kalyan Koduri, Cinematography by GVS Raju, Edited by Junaid Siddique and Dialogues by Lakshmi Bhupal.

Cast: Naga Shourya, Malavika Nair, Pearly Maaney, Raasi, Pragathi, Aishwariya, Anand, Dhanraj, RJ Hemanth, Thagubothu Ramesh and Asish Vidyarthi

Censor Certificate: U and Runtime: 157 Minutes.

First things First, Wishing Director Nandini Reddy a Very Happy Birthday.

A game designer Shaurya (Naga Shaurya) meets Divya (Malavika Nair), a medical student, in a formal Pelli Chuppulu and falls head over heels for her attitude. But due to unnecessary circumstances, parents reject this proposal. Post few other Marriage proposals, Shaurya comes up with an idea and Divya accepts it. In a short time, they get hitched. The couple determined not to hurt their parents and part their ways in a flat in Hyderabad. Suddenly it is not at all a happy journey. There are misunderstanding and quarrels due to Vaidehi (Pearly Maaney). So where do they go from here? Whats their issue? Well, married to each other after an arrangement by them. Though Shaurya is shown adjusting to the situations, but for Divya it takes time to become a loving half. The only trouble? How Sharuya does (understands!) win her over, not just for the sheer reason of being physically close to her, but also win her heart and be a soul mate for life. How does they succeed in the end but by that time as a viewer you have become an impatient a lot. Thankfully there are countable funny moments that keep your interest alive to certain extent.

B V Nandini Reddy wins a major battle by selecting right actors in the lead, who look every inch the character they play. The new odd supporting characters bring in energy and freshness into their roles. Naga Shaurya as Shaurya is believable, honest and young this is no doubt a performances where he tried to surrender himself to the director and let himself be molded to the director’s vision. He looked fine. Malavika Nair as Divya slips into her character rather efficient and she delivers what can be her finest performance to date. Playing the head strong yet unsure newly married bride she is simply good and leaves a decent impression on the audience. But there is no proper emotional growth between the two characters till the end. The supporting cast is likable in their assorted characters. Actor in Sharuya’s father role, Anand, Raasi and Aishwariya are good in their part and hit the right notes. However, Pragathi, Naveen Neni, Dhanraj and Mahesh Koneru are okay in their short cameos.

Kalayana Vaibhogame story is as old as the single celled organisms would be apt, since the theme of lovers facing marital problems has been witnessed with unfailing regularity since time of immemorial. Movie start off on a typical note and one expects the story to gather momentum once the protagonists get married. But nothing happens. Movie starts looking as a series of incidences – Marriage tiffs, romantic tryst, a separation, and more. Midway film tends to drag but catches up later. Post interval writer Nandini Reddy seemed to have taken the easy out by relying on the tried and tested stuff instead of trying to come up with something novel. The tiffs between the lead pair are pretty tiffs, not anything dramatic, which is why the impact is not so strong on the viewers. The narrative picks up again towards the pre climax when Anand separates the lead pair, of course, the problems get sorted out at the end of the film, thanks to Ala Modalaindi characters Thagubothu Ramesh and Ashish Vidhyarthi. But the sequences following it tends to move at such a lethargic pace that it tests the patience of the audience to the core.

In short, if you are expecting it to be an entertaining take on the concept of new age marriage then you seriously mistaken. Because the film is simply not made with any clear mindset and it will leave you more frustrated than before after the end credits starts rolling. Though director Nandini Reddy tries decent number of tricks to keep smiles coming, with including frustration, confusion, and tension between the characters. But in the process she shatters all the decent expectations on the film and get nothing engaging till the end.

The soundtrack of this film is very mediocre. There are few nostalgic tracks from Bollywood films with a tinge of Telugu flavour, but the background score is not up to the mark. The songs even act as narrative speed breakers. GVS Raju’s cinematography is eye-catching and the locales of Hyderabad have been nicely utilized. Editing by Junaid Siddique is weak as 15-20 minutes of the film could have been easily edited out. Production Values of Ranjith Films are alright.

Married couple in the present era will work only when two people find common ground without losing their personalities and individualities. The beauty of space and intimacy is untouched in the film. Furthermore, returning from the theatre, I really felt the nullity, since there was a time when Telugu Cinema used to make beautiful movies on marriage like Pelli Pusthakam, Mr. Pellam and more recent Happy in 2006. But unfortunately it has all come down to films like Kalyana Vaibhogame which is promoting marriage as a forced proposal, mutual agreement for parting ways from parents rules, infidelity and what not.!!

Survi Review: 1.5/5