‘Akhanda’ movie review: Boyapati Srinu and Nandamuri Balakrishna’s loud action entertainer is strictly for the fanbase

There are movies, and there are movies by director Boyapati Srinu. Then there are movies by Boyapati Srinu starring Nandamuri Balakrishna. Within the cinematic universe the place the 2 collaborate, all the things is bigger than life. Nothing is refined, not even remotely. Of their third outing collectively after Simha and Legend, the 2 determine to up the size and the decibels. Telugu movie Akhanda stars Balakrishna in a twin function, however we’ll come to that in a bit.

The director is conscious of the star’s large fanbase. Chants of ‘Jai Balayya’ are the norm when his movies arrive on the theatres. This time, the followers took it a step additional. Pattern this: ‘Edukondalavada Venkataramana… jai Balayya!’ In Akhanda, one of many roles essayed by Balakrishna is akin to a demi-God, somebody who has superhuman powers. The opposite character performed by Balakrishna is called Murali Krishna, a Good Samaritan who has been instrumental in stopping faction strife and is revered by all.

With the stage set for a larger-than-life canvas, Boyapati goes all out. The 167-minute movie begins and ends with motion sequences which are rigorously choreographed, with ample gradual movement pictures designed to be dutifully lapped up amid loud cheers. Balakrishna walks between two giant wheels and later tyres which are rolling away, after beating individuals to a pulp, after all, in gradual movement.

Elsewhere, he thrusts a trishul into somebody and turns it spherical a few instances, simply so we all know he isn’t letting the evil ones get away simply. In one other scene, bullets pop off somebody’s cranium. One other man overwhelmed up by Balakrishna and hurled up continues to be spinning within the air whereas the star walks away in s.l.o.w.m.o.t.i.o.n. That is solely the tip of the iceberg; there’s loads extra motion within the movie, unfolding to Thaman’s rousing rating.

The story is that of twins separated at start. Been there, seen that? A uranium miner exploits the land and its individuals to the hilt. Seen such tales too? Boyapati provides these oft-repeated mainstream storylines an added edge with the ‘Akhanda’ (invincible) facet, throwing in a great measure of faith, spirituality, good Vs. evil godmen.

The narrative unfolds in a well-recognized style, depicting the hero’s good deeds. There’s room for love as effectively. The brand new district collector Saranya Bachupalli (Pragya Jaiswal) is depicted extra as a romantic curiosity and later as spouse and younger mom than as a civil servant. She will get ample display time, however not sufficient scope to be taken severely as a district collector. The age distinction between the couple additionally seems obtrusive.

Poorna, as principal secretary Prabhavathi, probing the mining scandal, has barely higher scope to painting a no-nonsense authorities official.

Srikanth is solid as mine proprietor Varadaraju who is aware of no regret. He eats at a poor lady’s home and in return, presents her with the severed head of the person of the home. If that provides an thought of the depiction of evil on this movie, there’s extra. A collection of barbaric occasions units the stage for the arrival of ‘Akhanda’ because the saviour.

The drama goes on and on, with Boyapati and workforce not tiring of a number of extra motion sequences. All that is laced with dialogues by M Ratnam. Some are sermons whereas most are punchlines — ‘Meeku samasya vaste dandam pedataru, memu aa samasyake pindam pedatam; each should not identical’. Boyapati and Balakrishna appear to have completely loved making the movie.

Srikanth is launched as a robust antagonist however finally comes throughout as an everyday villain. Quite a few different characters fill the display however don’t have any scope to make an influence.

The movie will get tiresome publish intermission and the incessantly excessive voltage background rating doesn’t assist both.