Cast: Sundeep Kishan, Rakul Preet Singh, Sapthagiri, Brahmaji
Music: Ramana Gogula
Producer: Kiran
Direction: Merlapaka Gandhi
Censor Certificate: U
Run Time: 142 minutes
Release Date: 29 Nov, 2013
Theater watched: Big Cinemas Screen-2
Venkatadri Express is a comedy entertainer directed by debutante Merlapaka Gandhi. Sundeep Kishan and Rakul Preet Singh have played lead roles. It is produced by Gemini Kiran on Anandi Arts banner.
Story Line:
Venkatadri Express opens with Allari Naresh’s narration about a family. Nagineedu is a synonym of discipline. He writes a family constitution and counts each and every mistake of his family members. If anyone commits 100 mistakes, they will be permanently banned from his home. In this scenario, his youngest son Sandeep (Sundeep Kishan) commits 99 mistakes, one mistake short to be thrown out of home.
Nagineedu’s elder son Brahmaji’s ambition is to get married. Finally, at the age of 33, he was about to get married in Tirupati. The entire family boards on Venkatadri Express. Unfortunately, Sandeep cannot catch the train. Rest of the story is all about how Sandeep reaches Tirupati facing different challenges and meeting different kind of people on his way.
Performances:
Venkatadri Express is first action entertainer to Sundeep Kishan as a solo hero. The film provided him an opportunity to showcase his talent in various aspects and he utilized it well. He carried the entire film on his shoulders successfully. His dances in the intro song are good. He is at ease in the action episodes. His performance in the climax is subtle. Rakul Preet Singh looks beautiful and she has done a good job. This kind of roles are not new to Nagineedu and he is good as usual.
Thagubothu Ramesh once again plays a drunkard and his role in Venkatadri Express is one of his best. Brahmaji is seen in an important role as bridegroom. He brings lighter moments in the emotional climax. Sapthagiri steals the show as a passanger on Venkatadri Express. His role is on par with his characters in Parugu and Prema Katha Chitram. MS Narayana and Jayaprakash Reddy are okay.
Technical Aspects:
Director Merlapaka Gandhi has no prior experience in films. All his experience is an award winning short film. However, I have seen Venkatadri Express with some expectations as I was quite impressed with Gandhi’s short film and this guy didn’t disappoint me. His dialogue and direction are good. His screenplay is outstanding.
Ramana Gogula has come up with a good music finally. Venkatadri Express has just two songs and they are shot well. Chota K Naidu’s mark is palpable in every frame. Gautham Raju’s editing is almost perfect. Production values are good.
Analysis:
Venkatadri Express is near to perfection. Films with simple story like Venkatadri Express needs a great and engaging screenplay. Merlapaka Gandhi provided the same which makes you stick to your seats throughout the film. His narration didn’t let the audience take their own breaks. He balanced the entertainment and emotions well. Being a debutante, the way he executed his script is terrific. Gandhi also succeeded in extracting good performances from his actors and great work from his technicians. He inspires the aspirants who are still making short films and looking for the big chance.
My only complaint on Venkatadri Express is few of the scenes are predictable including climax twist. I couldn’t understand Gandhi’s intention in letting the audience know that Sandeep has reached Tirupati on time in the beginning itself and then narrating the entire journey as flashback. Straight narration could have resulted in more suspense and thrill. But still, Venkatadri Express is a good film and Gandhi needs a great applause.
Conclusion:
Casting and budget wise, Venkatadri Express might be small or medium. But it is huge in terms of content and quality. I’m scared to state is as an entertainer because you may misunderstand Venkatadri Express as another masala entertainer. It is a path-breaking entertainer which doesn’t bore you at any point. Go and board Venkatadri Express with your friends and family. I bet you are going to have a Happy Journey.
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