‘Guntur Kaaram’ review: Mahesh Babu’s one-man show

After a hiatus of 14 years, the much-anticipated collaboration between Super Star Mahesh Babu and director Trivikram Srinivas has come to fruition with the release of the action-packed emotional drama, "Guntur Kaaram." The film hit theaters worldwide, generating significant excitement among fans. Let’s see how it fares at box-office.

Story

Vyra Vasundhara (Ramya Krishnan), made the difficult decision to part ways with her son, Veera Venkata Ramana (Mahesh Babu), when he was just 10 due to a tragic accident. Fast forward 25 years, Vasundhara has risen to become a Minister, and her father, Venkata Swamy (Prakash Raj), is determined to secure her victory in the upcoming elections. To ensure a smooth political path, he urges Ramana to sign papers disavowing any connection with his mother.

The unfolding narrative in the film addresses lingering questions about the past accident, delving into how Venkata Ramana responded, whether he acquiesced to signing the papers, Vasundhara's actions, and the eventual resolution of their mother-son relationship. As the story progresses, it promises to provide answers to these pivotal questions and explores the complexities of family dynamics and personal choices.

Analysis

"Guntur Kaaram" signifies the third collaboration between director Trivikram Srinivas and Mahesh Babu. The film explores an intriguing storyline blending emotion and action, but its success is only partial. The movie swiftly launches into the narrative, providing the audience with an early grasp of the core plot. The first half predominantly revolves around the mission to obtain Ramana's (Mahesh) signature, a premise that may seem weak and lacks cinematic weight, especially in the context of contemporary politics.

The initial half introduces a brief role for the mother character, hinting that the director may have reserved substantial material for the latter part. While Mahesh's dynamic energy in dance sequences and the tailored star-worthy dialogues keep the first half passable, certain moments prove effective despite underdeveloped roles like Sreeleela's failing to leave an impact in the love track.

The major drawback in the second half lies in the portrayal of the son-mother bonding or the lack thereof. The absence of memorable scenes between them underscores the weak presentation of their relationship. Ramya Krishna's character, integral to the story, makes a fleeting appearance in the second half. The attempted comedy falls flat, exemplified by instances like Sreeleela's Insta reel humor, raising questions about the efficacy of subpar humor in a Trivikram film in 2024. The film appears to draw heavily from various influences, potentially even from the director's previous works.

Core blocks, such as Prakash Raj unveiling his true intentions to his daughter, lack impact. The climactic reunion between Ramana and his mother lacks emotion and fails to resonate with the audience upon exiting the theater. Despite these shortcomings, the film benefits from Mahesh's effortlessly charismatic performance. The dialogues crafted for him, though intermittent, manage to work. A standout is the mass song in the second half, injecting fantastic energy into the narrative.

On the whole, Guntur Kaaram manages to entertain in parts, relying heavily on Mahesh Babu’s screen presence, accent, and one-liners. However, its drawbacks, including a thin storyline, sluggish screenplay, and superfluous scenes, may limit its broader appeal.

Performances

Mahesh Babu, in his portrayal of Ramana, delivers a compelling performance, injecting the character with his trademark free-flowing energy. Despite the film's various issues, it is Mahesh's charisma that keeps it afloat. The director successfully taps into Mahesh Babu's comedy timing, a facet that has been somewhat absent in his recent films. Notably, Mahesh's styling in "Guntur Kaaram" stands out, showcasing an improvement compared to his previous outings. The actor shines in dance sequences, stealing the spotlight in both the mass number "Kurchi Madatha Petti" and a medley where he dances alongside Sreeleela. Mahesh exudes ease and confidence, making his presence felt.

Sreeleela, cast as the main actress, is limited in her role, with dances being the primary highlight. Her character lacks depth, and she comes across as a regular heroine rather than a standout presence on screen. Another actress, Meenakshi Chaudhary, is unfortunately given a forgettable role, leaving little room for her to make an impact.

The film boasts a substantial supporting cast, with few receiving consistent screen time, including Vennela Kishore. Kishore delivers his lines with ease, even though the humor in his scenes with the hero may not hit the mark every time.

Technicalities

In both the writing and directing departments, Trivikram Srinivas falls short of creating a lasting impact with "Guntur Kaaram." The film's overall appeal could have been significantly enhanced with a more resonant and audience-connecting storyline. Unfortunately, Thaman's musical contribution fails to meet expectations.

Manoj Paramahamsa's cinematography meets satisfactory standards, capturing visuals that contribute to the film's aesthetic appeal. However, editor Navin Nooli has ample room for improvement, particularly in trimming unnecessary scenes that may hinder the pacing of the narrative. Despite these shortcomings, the substantial investment from the producers ensures a visually rich appearance for the film.

Advantages

Mahesh Babu’s energy and ease

Intermittent fun

Few dance blocks

Drawbacks

Weak emotions

Frequent boredom

Bland writing

Movie Review by: Suhas Sistu