When cricket helps lovers unite

Like combo terms bromance and frenemies, one more seems to be in order – crinema. The latest release in town, ‘Seethamma Andaalu Ramaiyya Sitraalu’, cleverly blends a predictable, routine love story with cricket, as a novel twist, at the beginning and end of the 133- minute film.

Director Srinivas Gavireddy presents his debut film, with hot-in-demand Raj Tarun and Arthana Binu in the lead, evoking memories of the 15-year-old, major Hindi hit film ‘Lagaan’, especially in the climax.

The slim, young hero who has been enjoying a terrific time at the box-office continues to play what he specialises in – as a wastrel of a fellow who somehow gets the girl in the end.

Set in the lush environs of East Godavari with breathtaking shots of the Godavari, Rajahmundry bridge and the greenery to add its value, the film takes off with a puppy love flashback in which the cricket-crazy hero stops playing it when one of his lofty shots accidentally injures the heroine.

Then on, with fellow lumpens for company and a father who believes it is just a matter of time for his son to shine, Raj Tarun sets about stalking the heroine, who is shown as a doctor-in-the making. No prizes for guessing that there are the men in her household who hate the hero for the kind of person he is and would want nothing to do with him, leave alone allowing him to ask the girl’s hand.

As one of the hero’s friends, played entertainingly by Shakalaka Shankar, keeps saying, a competitor to the hero shows up from nowhere, like it is shown in so many movies, who is also an Indian cricket team probable to boot.

Once again, if the ending can be guessed by now, it is not the director’s fault as that is the only way he could have elevated the hero in the heroine’s eyes who threatens suicide if her beau does not win the cricket match and bag her as a bonus!

Pepped up by a convincing portrayal by Raj Tarun who plays to his strengths, the film moves along at a reasonably good pace throughout, unapologetically commercial and entertainment- centric. The Kerala import Arthana Binu complements the boy- in- the- next- gully looks of the hero, who seems to be a growing influence on the young crowd watching Telugu cinema.

A special mention about the music director Gopi Sunder, another import from the coconut land who has caught on excellently well with the native flavours and pitches of Telugu film music. Songs are foot-tapping, especially the number of “Yazin Nizar, Seethamalakshmi…,” which stands out for its high-pitched, zippy rendition. Despite a tepid start and a routine treatment, the film, like a T20 match, picks up in the slog overs and provides a satisfying finish.

Film Name : Seethamma Andaalu Ramaiyya Sitraalu
Cast : Raj Tarun and Arthana Binu
Direction : Srinivas Gavireddy
Genre : Romance
Likes : Paisa vasool entertainment
Dislikes : Stereotyped story
Rating : ***