I have this image in my mind about how they visualise a new movie project in Telugu. I am sure they begin with the choreographer deciding on which new body part will execute the signature steps and then perfecting it. Add to that the exquisite fashion styling for the leads, assemble a majestic looking cast and some amazing sets and back-drops and you are done. Feet stomping music and slow-motion special effects are the garnishing and you are done. The final product is pure unadulterated fun and nothing short of a celebration for the entire family.
ASHOK’s FIVE reasons to watch #AlaVaikuntapuramlo starring Stylish Star #AlluArjun and written and directed by #Trivkram. Released on the occasion of Sankranti earlier this year, the film belongs to what is soon being termed the classical festival film, a platform to go out and celebrate. Bring on the dancing shoes and the wolf whistles – here’s where the fashion show meets a rocking party!
1. #AlluArjun is the John Travolta is the John Travolta dancing star of Telugu cinema. Give him a hat and a cane and he will create magic. Give him a flight of steps and a pair of white shoes and he will create magic. Give him anything and he will create magic. The long hair, beach shirts, fancy sneakers and the exaggerated swagger make for a star who can hold his own in an industry dominated by heavy-weights. Here, he switches on his charisma and energy and by the end of the six pulsating song numbers crafted by music director, #Thaman, you have seen it all. Check out, in particular, the OMG Daddy, Butta Bomma and the Ramulo Ramula songs. And if you want to understand how complex these steps are tune in to the video of Shekhar Master and his son https://youtu.be/XrNfKxk5nwc. In the lock-down period, Australian star and Sunrisers Hyderabad stalwart, David Warner danced to Butta Bomma https://youtu.be/0J26um-4JXQ and garnered more than a million views!
In #AlaVaikuntapuramlo, he plays Bantu, the son of cold-hearted Valmiki (Murli Sharma). The plot is as old as the Kumbh Mela itself with Valmiki switching babies at the time of their birth and the rest of the story is abut how Bantu meets up and engages with his real father.
2. The film has a little bit of everything – there is comedy, violence, action, emotion, romance and lots of attitude. While #AlluArjun dominates with his presence, the film also belongs to Murli Sharma and Sachin Khedekar who have a lot of fun doing this film. Viewers will remember Murli from Apaharan the Ajay Devgn starrer, where he played a small-time kidnapper. From doing insignificant roles in Hindi, Murli has cemented his position in Telugu cinema over the years. Sachin, meanwhile, seems to be having a ball and doing characters that are over-the-top and loveable in their mannerisms.
3. The cast includes some big names with Tabu (in a character that is pretty shallow and does not do justice to her talent) , Jayaram ( surprise inclusion from the Malayalam industry) and Puja Hegde, Nivetha Pethuraj and Samuthirakani. The film is produced by Geetha Arts, Haaarika & Hassine Creations.
4. Popular Telugu cinema is a riot of style, colour, fashion and attitude. It is not just a fashion show or a glam party; it is a complete celebration and can be lots of fun when you are in the mood for it. What Telugu cinema could eschew is the misogynistic attitude though in terms of the manner in which women are depicted. In #AlaVaikuntapuramlo, Banu can’t take his eyes off his girl’s (Puja Hegde) legs and the sexist dialogues take down the film a couple of notches.
5. P S Vinod’s cinematography is brilliant while Naveen Nooli’s editing could have been tighter; the film could well have been thirty minutes shorter and retained all the spectacle of the offering on show.
Amidst all the song and dance, there are some dialogues that make you reflect. Ramachandra ( Jayaram) says “The greatest battles people fight are with those who are closest to them”. The irony is that just when the film starts to reflect on deeper philosophy or the meaning of relationships, it is as if the dance master beckons and shouts “ Shot ready Sir… Mee Step chala bagundi…mari oksari cheiyyandi” and its time for some pelvic thrusts again. I am going with a 3.7 on 5 for #AlaVaikuntapuramlo.
