Review: Greekuveerudu - A King's woeful tale

Romantic comedies of late have been left to the younger lot to carry off, and with good reason. So when you hear that actor Nagarjuna has come out with one, there is a bit of skepticism ' he is almost old, even by Tollywood standards.

The actor himself confesses to sharing the same sentiment when approached by director Dasaradh with the script. Yet, here we are with a film that promises to rise above the cliches and retain the mass appeal. Except that, they go-hand-in-hand.

Greeku Veerudu starts off in typical Tollywood style ' the hero gets the first frame. But we're not kept waiting long as Nayantara is quick on his heels.

The first five minutes sets the tone of the movie with each actor professing opposite values and opinions on life and love. They unknowingly cross paths and the audience settles itself in for Nagarjuna's introductory song.

Nag plays a US-born-Indian with no family ties and a successful business that has him dancing with cheer-leaders as he straddles a Harley Davidson.

But apparently that wasn't enough for the 'playboy' to keep his clients happy, and Ashish Vidyarthi enters the storyline as the lawyer out to 'take his case'. What follows is the circle of life where Nayantara turns out to be Ashish's sister.

In between jilted ex-lovers, a twisted philosophy where money trumps values, and blue screens projecting visuals of New York and the airport, Nagarjuna lands in India to visit his family.

Long story short, they're estranged but are also rich and can save him from his legal battles and a possible jail term. Another typicality, Dasardh waxes eloquent on family values and a fake wedding later our man realises the importance of it. Not before a fight sequence though. A changed man, he comes back to the US.

Now, the Make a Wish Foundation has become another excuse in story lines to get the lead pair together and Nayantara, a volunteer, is saddled with Nag trying to woo her.

True love happens on snow-capped mountains of Switzerland and with an overload of sentiment supplied by critically sick children ticking off their bucket list.

Everyone is happy ' the kids have all got their last wishes, and everybody is sad ' Nagarjuna and Nayantara don't end up together (obviously!). But of course, the heart wants what the heart wants and after some comic confusions, the movie ends with one big happy family.

At the end of the two-hour movie, you do feel good, that the movie is finally over. The pace is a little slow, to the point where youn wonder when is the intermission.

Watching Nagarjuna dance did get a little painful, but he definitely carried it off with some pazazz. While the posters to the movie showed a rather stylish hero, the movie doesn't quite live up to it; in some instances it looks like we're staring at an ad for Kalyan Jewellers (similar look and styling).

But the movie isn't a complete bust. It has its moments. For one, Nayantara looks great. The chemistry between the lead pair, though not sizzling, is definitely believable and even pleasant.

Brahmanandam, MS Narayan, Jaya Prakash Reddy and Dharmavarapu Subramanyam along with Raghu Babu keep us entertained on the comedy front. The sound score though not lilting, support the film and has a few good beats tucked in.

However, aesthetically the movie could've been much better, and a faster pace would've been more engaging. Those who enjoyed the previous pairing of Nagarjuna and Dasaradh in the film Santhosam, may be left a little disappointed.