Review: KVJ - entertainer with message

Filmmaker Krish Jagarlamudi who is driven towards making films with a social message has done it again with 'Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum' (KVJ). If he laid emphasis on redemption of life in 'Gamyam' and 'Vedam', his new attempt 'KVJ' focuses on public anger. KVJ proves that he is a filmmaker who belongs to the clan of Mani Ratnam, Shankar and Krishna Vamsi.

Before the credits start rolling, Krish introduces Devika (Nayantara), a journalist-cum-documentary filmmaker interacting with people who lost everything due to the illegal mining that is taking place in Bellary. She is out there to unearth the whole scam and has even contacts with Central Bureau of Investigation. Cut to Babu (Rana), a Surabhi artiste, who is not keen on continuing the legacy of theatre and decides to pursue his Masters in the US.

However, his grandfather and noted theatre artiste Subramanyam (Kota) goads him to do one play 'Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum' at Bellary Natakotsavam before he packs his bags to the States. While Babu has no intentions of performing the last play, Subramanyam's sudden death makes him to head to Bellary. The situation in Bellary is not the same as it was some time ago.

The entire area including the forest cover is on the verge of being mined by powerful local leader Reddappa (Milind Gunaji) who has connections with political parties and police personnel. Raising a voice against his actions means inviting one's death. Situations lead Babu to irk Reddappa and his henchman. In the process, he befriends Devika before discovering that he has a past with the place. What next?

What works in the favour of 'KVJ' is the subject which gives large scope for varied emotions besides the way Krish shapes up his characters. The story requires multiple characters and Krish makes sure that each character leaves an impact.

The other characters which pop up too tickle your funny bone. He knows his job is to tell a hard-hitting story within the 'Telugu cinema format' and he comes out in flying colours, although with lapses here and there.

Krish takes assistance in the form of performances, background score, dialogues and the highly effective and energetic song Jarugutunnatadi Jagannatakam sung by SP Balasubrahmanyam to enhance the movie.

He uses it in phases for a greater effect. Kala ante bathukunichchedi kadhu bathuku nerpedi kuda, Garba gudilo veedhi kukka vuchcha posthe devudu maila padadu are some of the dialogues by writer Sai Madhav which deserve applause.

Krish is known to invest big time in the story and he lets his guard down on the songs. Numbers, Chal chal chal and Spicy spicy girl are neither visually appealing nor take the story forward.

Composer Mani Sharma seemed to forget that he was out to balance songs with his re-recording, but fails to get the job done. Action sequences look contrived and the lead actor appears far from convincing in pulling them off.

Performance wise, it is Rana's best bet till date. He is emotionally charged at times and is restraint at places. His well-toned body adds to the proceedings and his sequences during introduction and towards the climax show that he is here to stay. KVJ will do to Rana what 'Bobbili Raja' did for Venkatesh.

And Venky's brief cameo in a song alongside Sameera Reddy is bound to make his fans go gaga. Nayantara fits the bill as a responsible journalist. Her costumes add to her character and she raises the oomph factor in songs.

Milind Gunaji fails to impress as the kingpin behind the illegal mining. Posani Krishna Murali who plays a taxi-driver provides the comic-relief, but goes overboard at times. Raghu Babu, Ravi Prakash, Hema, Murali Sharma, Satyam Rajesh, LB Sriram do their bit. In all, watch it for the way Krish goes about tackling a current menace in the society by using film as the medium.

While he gives no messages in the end, he clearly tells that each individual is a society himself and that society is not going down because of the rise of evil individuals, but due to the inability of good individuals.