Review: Malligadu - tale of raw emotions

Hyderabad: A fairly unusual movie which attempts to break the stereotypical commercial pot boiler formula, Malligadu seems like a whiff of fresh air this summer.

Starring Karthi, Priyamani in the lead roles, it is the Telugu version of 2007 Tamil flick 'Paruthiveeran'. It is Karthi Sivakumar - younger brother of Suriya- debut as an actor.

Lead cast- Karthi and Priyamani- have well showcased their acting prowess and broken the typecast.

It is noteworthy to mention that Priyamani bagged National award as a best actress for the movie and Karthi, who plays titular role in the movie, was bestowed with Film fare best actor award.

After watching the movie, you'll conclude that they deserve the awards and appreciations for their efforts.

One will be bewildered and amazed with the action portrayed by Karthi and can't trust that it was his debut movie.

The movie set in typical village backdrop will introduce the hamlet life to urban people and takes you to rural exposure.

It is a perfect blend of action and romance. Although violence seems overplayed at times, it reflects the robust South Indian villages.

An inter-caste love story smoothly runs on the sidelines of the plot.

Malli Babu (Karthi) is a rustic and rugged guy who often gets involved in scuffles and lands in jail. Muthyalu (Priyamani) his cousin (maradalu) falls deeply in love with him after he rescues her from drowning in a lake during their childhood. But Malli doesn't really reciprocate her feelings and gets busy with his brawls.

However, he slowly understands her love and falls for her. Muthyalu's father Nagayya (Ponvannan), as expectedly, doesn't like Malli because of their family rivalry.

He is against the couple's love. The couple elopes and how thier journey ends forms the rest of the story.

There is a simple sub plot which tells the story of Malligadu's parents and their death connects with the audience.

Although there is a nominal presence of police personnel in the movie, the no-holds-barred attacks, rapes, and murders may seem repulsive to Telugu family audience.

Also few scenes such as method of cure of Muthyalu after her suicide attempt, Malli cutting off the ear of a cop, Nagayya smashing Muthyalu against walls look grotesque, at the same time natural.

The movie ends with a blood-stained climax which may put off most of the Telugu audiences. Director Ameer Sultan shows promise in a few scenes which involve intense emotions.

Dubbing is good and it could have some nativity issues and also there are no commercial elements- comedies, picturesque locations, skin show- in the movie.

So, not sure about its result at the ticket window, but it is a good screenplay. The movie which was released five years ago still manages to hold steam.

Yuvan Shankar Raja has done his best and re-recording is laudable. A song shot on gays is in bad taste. Also, Karthi is seen throughout with his jagged briefs in the movie.

The filmmakers have trusted their subject and bravely stuck to it - a brave and honest attempt. Watch it for the stellar performances of the lead cast.