‘Maha Samudram’ movie review: Director Ajay Bhupathi’s ode to Visakhapatnam and the sea needed a sharper script

Maha Samudram is director Ajay Bhupathi’s ode to the port metropolis of Visakhapatnam; additionally it is his hat tip to mainstream cinema. His second outing, after RX-100, has the grand sweep and some edgy characters that put on their shades of gray with elan. It’s a story of romance, friendship, betrayal and redemption, led by proficient actors reminiscent of Sharwanand, Siddharth, Aditi Rao Hydari, Jagapati Babu and Rao Ramesh. However in the end, what was meant to be a hovering saga falls brief.

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Within the Seventies, Arjun (Sharwanand) and Vijay (Siddharth) might have been the quintessential Jai and Veeru of Sholay — thick as thieves and taking up the massive, dangerous Gabbar. Within the mushy Nineties, they may have been Vineet and Abbas of Prema Desam pining for a similar girl. In 2021, the buddies wanted to be extra multi-dimensional and Ajay has tried that by exhibiting us the doable areas of friction early on.

Because the camaraderie between Arjun and Vijay performs out in opposition to the sun-kissed panorama (Raj Thota’s cinematography captures Vizag in all its glory) to Chaitan Bharadwaj’s peppy friendship tune, Ajay tempers it with the presence of Chunchu uncle (Jagapati Babu). Chunchu hints at a sore previous that daunts Vijay and maybe shapes him the way in which he’s. We are going to by no means know, as a result of this angle is underexplored, save for an trade of dialogues within the pre-climax parts. What we get is a self-centred Vijay whose intention to grow to be a police officer doesn’t stem from idealistic notions.

He deceptively seems to be the calmer one among the many two buddies, exhibiting his true self solely to Maha (Aditi Rao Hydari), who’s blinded by love. On this open drama type of narrative, we are able to guess what is going on manner earlier than the characters do. However additionally it is a predictable story. We are able to guess the beats of the connection and know who will step as much as restore some semblance of sanity.

The early parts focus a tad extra on Vijay, earlier than the narrative steadily reveals Arjun. Each Arjun and Maha are characters who don’t maintain a lot of a shock, and their quiet energy requires actors who can ship the emotional beats with earnestness. Sharwanand comes into his personal because the story progresses and makes us empathise with and root for Arjun. Aditi lends credibility to the naïve Maha, bringing in a mixture of innocence, vulnerability and energy. Every time she arms out her hard-earned cash to somebody, you need her to cease, for the recipient is undeserving of it.

Parallel to the bromance and the romance, Ajay Bhupathi reveals one other aspect of the port metropolis, which ultimately takes centre stage, as do Chunchu uncle and Babji (Rao Ramesh). These proficient actors make their components seem much more fascinating than the way in which they’ve been written. Take away the curious gait given to Rao Ramesh’s character and he can be a typical mainstream villain. Jagapati Babu’s character will get an edge in a couple of essential moments, however it doesn’t really feel sufficient.

In reality, the largest concern with Maha Samudram is that regardless of its grand intent, it by no means feels sufficient. The whistle-worthy masala moments are few and much between and the story doesn’t suck us into the whirlwind of proceedings utterly. We get loads of strains in regards to the mighty, mysterious sea that has many secrets and techniques. Only some of them have the specified affect.

The movie additionally feels stretched with characters that aren’t fleshed out sufficient. Siddharth’s character and its backstory had much more potential than what we in the end see on display screen. The actor tries to painting the turmoil required for his half, however doesn’t get sufficient to chew on. He revels in what he will get and breaks that lover boy picture he beforehand earned in Telugu cinema, as soon as and for all.

Among the many issues to understand on this movie is the ever-reliable Saranya. She will be able to play the nice and cozy mom character with the bat of an eyelid and make it endearing.

On the different finish, there’s Anu Emmanuel who’s saddled with a personality that doesn’t transcend performing cute. It’s essentially the most underwritten a part of the movie.

Additionally, it’s excessive time filmmakers consider closure to a relationship with out having to maneuver somebody out of the way in which. A deserving individual ought to stand an opportunity to win, even when a competitor is round. Possibly in a mainstream Telugu movie, that should wait one other decade.