‘Naa Saami Ranga’ review: Perfect festival film

Story

In the village of Ambajipeta, President Peddayya, portrayed by Nasser, plays a crucial role in aiding Kistayya's (Nagarjuna) family during a time of crisis. Kistayya, known for his unwavering loyalty, harbors deep feelings for Mahalaxmi, fondly known as Varalu (AshikaRanganath). However, an unforeseen incident leads to a heartbreaking separation between Kistayya and Varalu.

Adding complexity to the plot, Dasu (Shabeer Kallarakkal), the son of President Peddayya, harbors ill intentions towards Kistayya and his brother Anji (Allari Naresh). The seeds of rivalry are sown, raising questions about the origin and motivations behind this conflict. The movie unravels the intricate layers of this enmity, shedding light on the reasons driving Dasu's animosity towards Kistayya and Anji.

The narrative unfolds the mystery behind Varalu and Kistayya's separation, providing answers to the questions that linger around their past. As the storyline progresses, the role of Bhaskar (Raj Tarun) becomes intertwined with the larger narrative, offering additional layers of intrigue and connection to the unfolding events.

Analysis

"Naa Saami Ranga," directed by debutant Vijay Binni, presents a film with perfect casting, a talented technical crew, and a script that, while familiar, introduces a refreshing core idea.

The majority of the first half relies on humor, interspersed with some action and a touch of emotion. The film's setting captures attention due to its quality output, though the humor, primarily expected from the lead pair Nag and Ashika, falls short of expectations.Despite not failing, the humor doesn't reach its potential, lacking the depth and sharpness needed for maximum impact. Scenes that could have been comedic highlights, such as the lead pair going to the theater to watch an 'A' or 'B' grade film, are written at a surface level, missing the opportunity for uproarious laughs. Similarly, other scenes like Ashika's Swathi magazine episode or Allari Naresh's first-night scene are written in a basic and passable manner.

However, the chemistry between the actors on-screen, the inclusion of action sequences, and a beautifully shot song like "EtthukelliPovaalanipisthunde" contribute to the film's appeal.

The mix of passable humor and some action in the first half lays the groundwork for potential engaging drama in the second half. Unfortunately, the second half fails to fully capitalize on the core issue that could have elevated the film. The central issue of the heroine being unable to marry her childhood love interest lacks the emotional depth and pain needed to make a significant impact.

Additionally, the presentation of this core issue through Rao Ramesh's suicide is poorly executed and appears rather silly, lacking the necessary convincing portrayal. The attempts at'80s references do not leave a lasting impact. However, the songs and intermittent moments of entertainment and action manage to salvage some appeal.The pre-climax, where Allari Naresh is involved, had the potential to be a highlight, but the director, Vijay Binni, misses a significant opportunity in its execution.

Overall, "Naa Saami Ranga" showcases glimpses of potential with its cast, technical aspects, and core idea, but falls short in fully realizing its promise, especially in the execution of crucial plot points.

Performances

Nagarjuna, in the role of Kishtayya, maintains a consistent and engaging vibe throughout the film. His styling, though simple, complements the rural setting and suits his age, including his hairstyle and beard.

AshikaRanganath, portraying Varalu, contributes positively to the film with her delightful screen presence. She delivers what the role requires without overdoing anything. Her resemblance to Anushka in certain scenes adds an interesting dynamic.

Allari Naresh plays a key role, leaving a positive impact on the film, even though his portrayal appears a bit more hyper than necessary in some scenes. He effectively delivers what is written for his character and proves to be a fitting choice for the role.Raj Tarun, despite having a brief role, manages to make a notable impression without his character feeling disjointed. He gets a chance to emote effectively in the final moments of the film.

The supporting cast in "Naa Saami Ranga" is extensive, and most members seamlessly fit into the rural setting. Rao Ramesh plays a significant role in the first half, meeting the expectations for his character. Nassar delivers his characteristic performance, and Harsha Vardhan has a brief yet impactful role.Among the other cast, Mirnaa Menon and Rukshar Dhillon fulfill their roles competently. Other supporting actors, including Mahesh Achanta, Ravi Varma, Shakalaka Shankar, and others, serve their parts without making a substantial impact, appearing more as fillers in the narrative.

Technicalities

In his directorial debut, Vijay Binni demonstrates effective handling of the film, but a more concentrated effort on crafting a gripping screenplay could have potentially yielded better results. Writer Prasanna Kumar could have invested more in enhancing the overall storytelling.

MM Keeravaani significantly elevates numerous scenes with his impressive background score, skillfully capturing the right mood for moments of love, action, and sadness. His contribution adds a layer of depth to the film's emotional landscape. The film benefits from proficient editing and cinematography, both of which contribute to its quality. The well-executed shots and polished visuals reflect the commitment to maintaining high production standards.

Advantages

Perfect casting

A couple of songs on-screen

Pre-interval and pre-climax

Drawbacks

Comedy is at a passable level

Ground-level drama

Review by: Suhas Sistu