It could well be the calm before the chaos. Small films not counted on the
repute of stars and their images – SGV film. The error, if any, is about making
a real great hero of a film maker without naming him and making it obvious
enough to guess who the spoof is aimed at. From the word go, the script aims at
a tounge-in-cheek dekho at the craft, filmography and public utterance of an
arguably maverick film maker who not only made it big but also made constant
claim to the Popat Awards.
Film maker Shyam Gopal Varma (Shafi) is kidnapped and there is no ransom. It is
only revenge. The captive film maker finds enough time to recall his cinematic
scripts and tales. The parallels are drawn. Real, reel fuse together. SGV
begins to enlist his possible enemies which include disgruntled stars,
frustrated producers, angry critics and may be even the discerning viewer. The
film takes a tounge-in-cheek dekho at the filmography.
Constant references to the targeted director makes for amusing viewing. The
Gopala Gopala back drop (in line with Govinda Govinda), Adivilo Dayyam movie
Chumma Song (Kshana Kshanam), the song sequence where he cuts off a long
dressing gown to a mini (ref Rangeela), the shot where the Assistant Director
tells the cameraman to take off the lights as the Director likes it dark, are
all obvious references to the director who enjoys the reputation of being Zara
Hatke. Yet another interesting episode that deals with the director
relates to his discussions and references to Ayn Rand and Fredrick Neitzsche
without a context in a discussion with Narsing (Narsing Yadav). His further
enunciation of the psyche of fans and the debate as to whether ants have a
vengeful streak in their minds show the Z Axis existence to the stimuli action
mapping.
What should have been a less than two hour parody full of chuckles on a
director who has earned this and more unfortunately is converted into an
aimless Whodunnit lacking punch or power. Film maker Rakesh Srinivas gets
carried away half way through the movie and lets go abegging a great
opportunity to make a fine spoof of a film maker who has a niche space for
himself.
The ‘Appidi Podu’ backdrop of the bizarre one liners help in adding punch to
the parody. The post interval narration suddenly shifts gears and has the film
maker trying to crack the Whodunnit. There is a mocked seriousness and an
apparent sincerity to the narration that robs the Whodunnit of the hitherto
aura of a parody.
While the side cast prove adequate and in fact add a lot of verve to the film,
Shafi playing Shyam Gopal Varma adds credibility in the earlier part but behaves
like a zombie while trying to crack the code. Actors like Jeeva, Prithvi,
Jayaprakash Reddy, Darling Sreenu, Satyam Rajesh surely add the right element
of humor to the film.
It is an interesting idea that somewhere loses the plot. It heads to the pulpit
and advocates that film makers must carry an element of social responsibility –
a suspect theory. A thought branded rather than stated. A narration that starts
with promise ends with a whimper. The film maker’s statement – Naa film Naa
ishtam is well taken. It is an Ishtam that does not attract too many
footfalls. The audience seem to say Nee film Nee kharma.
Rating: 2 stars.
+ The parody
– Whodunnit