Naa Istam Movie Review

Cast and Crew: Brahmanandham, Harsha Vardhan, Nasser, Raghu Babu, Ahuti Prasad, Jogi Brothers, Uttej, Chitram Srinu, Giri, Vijay Sai,Vishnu, Pragati, Priya, Bhavani, Sravani and others.
Music: Chakri
Editor: Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao
Screenplay, Direction: Prakash Toleti
Banner: Universal movies
Producer: Parchuri Kireeti
Release date: 23rd March, 2012

Synopsis:
Naa Ishtam is the third movie of Daggubati scion Rana in Telugu. His second movie Nenu Naa Rakshasi is a commercial failure. He pinned high hopes on the movie to make it big in Telugu.
‘Naa Ishtam’ is a love story of a fun loving selfish boy Ganesh who puts the world behind him till he meets a girl Krishnaveni (Genelia).Krishnaveni is a girl who puts every thing behind love. So, it is a story of a boy and girl with contrasting mentalities who fall in love. What changes did she brought in his life? Did he change? What challenges he faced to win her hand? forms the rest of the story. Rana and Genelia are playing the lead roles in the movie.

Performances:
Rana – who tried a jovial role unlike his previous movies performed well both in action sequences and in emotional Scenes but ease is missing in rest of the scenes. He improved alot but still long way to go. He earned a poor name in dances in his previous movies. He tried making amends in this movie under the choreography of Prem Rakshit and delivered okayish performance. His rigid body language and height doesn’t permit him to do well
Genelia suited to the role well and performance wise she did well too. The pair looked good onscreen.This is her first movie in Telugu after long long time after Orange and she did a commendable job in a subtle role with out over action.
Harsha Vardhan, Subba Raju, Nasser and others are okay. Brahmanandham as Kadiyam Bujji and Ali as drunkard Balu managed few laughs.

Technical Analysis:
Prakash Toleti earlier is a roomie of creative director Sukumar and worked under him as associate. The first half of the movie is good with some good comedy. However, he stumbled a bit in the screen play in the second half. There appeared a lag in the story in the second half. Songs placement is erroneous hampering the flow of the movie.
Songs delivered by Chakri are mediocre and back ground score is just okay. Cinematography by Venkat Prasad is good. Art work by AS Prakash is superb. Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao, one of the senior most Editors in Tollywood could have worked better

Highlights:

1. Performances

2. Dialogues like ‘Avakashalu vaadukoleni prathi chethaganodu manchode’ and ‘Luv marriage ante manam preminchina danni pelli cheskotam.arrange marriage ante pakkanodu preminchina danni cheskotam’ drew huge response.

3. Songs Picturization

4. Venky’s voice over at the end of the movie

5. Item song starring Hamsa Nandini will make masses crazy.

Drawback:

1. Slow second half

2. Poor music

3. Songs placement

Box Office Verdict:

The movie has atleast two weeks breathing space before the next big release (Racha tentative date: April 4th). With good promotion and publicity, the movie can do well and encash this no competition period.

Bottom line: Average Film —– Watch it if you have time