KALEJA STOR AND REVIEW

Kalyan
Story, Screenplay, Direction: Trivikram Srinivas

Superstar Prince Mahesh Babu’s Mahesh Kaleja has arrived with several anticipations. The last time Mahesh Babu appeared in Telugu movie was for Athidhi.  Hence, Mahesh Kaleja review is the much awaited word and understandably so. So let’s uncover Khaleja movie review.

Story:

GK (Prakash Raj) is a business tycoon and plans to establish a plastic factory in Paali village. He discovers that the land in Paali has Iridium (worth more than gold) through a researcher. For that, Hence, GK plans to get his son’s marriage with Tanikella Bharani’s daughter Subhashini (Anushka) so that their business can prosper unlawfully. And GK tries to evacuate the people in Paali (through a superstition) so that he can acquire Iridium land. Cut across, Seetharama Raju (Mahesh Babu) is a cab driver. The plot unveils as how this nowhere related Seetharama Raju saves the lives of the 534 people in Paali

Analysis:

Writer turned Director Trivikram Srinivas is known for his candy floss and humor quotient, but he unveils a different fairy-tale in the form of an action entertainer Kaleja. It’s Mahesh Babu all the way in Khaleja, which turns out to be an average film.

Mahesh Babu’s characterization is being shown in a completely different dimension. Trivikram once again comes up with an attractive script that aptly suits Mahesh Babu. In fact, Mahesh Babu has not done such a unique character thus far in his career. Mahesh Babu shoulders the responsibility and carries the feel of his character very well in this narration.

While the conflict point and plot were reasonably strong, the screenplay and pace in which the story took off was not as expected. However, since the lead protagonist being Mahesh Babu, the strength in the conflict point was not badly affected who carried well. Mahesh Babu’s action sequences were well made and he does with Bachchan-like naturalness.

Having said all these, Mahesh Kaleja is certainly not a film that should be made with a whopping budget of 40 crores and short in 3 years. Trivikram once again carries the same humor dimensions with Sunil, Ali and Brahmanandam. However, all the giddiness in the plot does not dilute the big bang.

Trivikram Srinivas manages to sustain the subtlety element in the first half, which is exciting and humors (Like he earlier did in Nuvve Nuvve and Athadu). But the second half could not accommodate the same pace. There should have edited the second half, which would have increased the tempo. Amidst huge ticket-stub flinging and loud cheers, Mahesh Kaleja manages to create a decent persona to watch.

Performances:

Mahesh Babu is very handsome and elegant. His stylish looks and trendy costumes once again make him a teen heartthrob. True to his image of Prince Charming, Mahesh Babu mesmerizes with this on-screen presence. His action episodes are great and his body language is very energetic.

Anushka, as a demure damsel, is attractive. Her essential impishness fits the role to the T (tee). However, she needs to improve her expressions in emotional scenes.

Rao Ramesh does well as a foreteller – almost the same character like he did in Magadheera. Shafi also did well as Rao Ramesh’s disciple.

Prakash Raj and Thannikela Bharani are adequate.

Technicalities:

Yash Bhatt has done a phenomenal job - The camera angles tight close shots, lighting effects and camera movements. His cinematography is on top, gritty and classy.

Mani Sharma’s music was not great except for two songs - particularly the Om Namo Siva Rudraya song is absolutely brilliant. But re-recording in action episodes is good. The action sequences of Peter Heins are spell-binding.

Editor Sreekar Prasad perhaps could have done a better job in the second half where the actual plot would be unveiled. It’s a tough call nevertheless for him.

Final Word:

All things considered, Mahesh Kaleja turns out to be an average movie. With gigantic expectations and surge in the fan base, Mahesh Khaleja comes with huge expectations, but the screenplay and the pace, coupled with an unnecessary song in the second half makes it a typical movie. But boy, watch out for Mahesh Babu’s characterization.

REVIEW : 3/5