Cast: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sree Leela, Sarathkumar, Raghu Babu, and others
Director: Anil Ravipudi
Producers: Sahu Garapati, Harish Peddi
Music: S. Thaman
After delivering back-to-back blockbusters with “Akhanda” and “Veerasimha Reddy,” Balakrishna returns with “Bhagavanth Kesari,” an emotional action entertainer that revolves around the sentiment between a father and daughter. Directed by the successful filmmaker Anil Ravipudi, this mass entertainer features Balakrishna and Sree Leela in the lead roles, with Kajal and Arjun Rampal in other significant parts. Thaman has composed the music, and Shine Screens serves as the production company. “Bhagavanth Kesari” is set for a record release, and here’s the movie review.
Story:
Nelakonda Bhagavanth Kesari (Balakrishna) becomes the guardian of a young girl named Vijji (Sreeleela) to fulfill her late father’s wish. As she grows into her teenage years, Kesari endeavors to prepare her for the Army recruitment. A billionaire businessman, Rahul Sanghvi (Arjun Rampal), sets his sights on Project V and resorts to bribing high-level politicians to achieve his goals. The film’s narrative revolves around how Bhagavanth Kesari manages to balance two objectives: empowering Vijji and settling a personal score with Rahul.
Analysis:
The first half of the film establishes the reasons behind Bhagavanth Kesari’s decision to adopt the girl, Vijji. It commences with a heartwarming family story and gradually shifts to cater to Balakrishna’s image building, particularly leading up to the interval. The thread involving Chicha Balayya and Sreeleela is executed well. However, the Balakrishna-Kajal episodes appear routine and fall short of expectations for a brief period. The first half gains momentum after Balakrishna’s warning to Ravishankar, and the film maintains a high note until the interval.
The second half also maintains a fast pace with several mass-appealing sequences. A particularly noteworthy scene is where Balakrishna educates children about recognizing inappropriate touches, a much-needed message in today’s society. The film adheres to its theme of Girl’s Empowerment without resorting to contemporary commercial elements like duets or lip-locks, and this approach works effectively.
Overall, director Anil Ravipudi successfully conveys the message of empowering girls. Balakrishna portrays Nelakonda Bhagavanth Kesari exceptionally well and refrains from going overboard in his dialogue delivery. Sreeleela, known for her glamorous roles, surprises with her acting skills this time. Kajal Agarwal, Arjun Rampal, Ravishankar, and the supporting cast deliver adequate performances. Thaman’s background score caters well to the masses, and Shine Screens’ production values are commendable, potentially taking the banner to the next level.
Positives:
- Balakrishna in a distinctive role
- Exciting action sequences for the masses
- Strong dialogues and skillful direction
- Sreeleela’s impressive performance
- Effective emotional scenes
Negatives:
- The Balakrishna-Kajal subplot could have been better
- The plot is relatively simple
Verdict:
“Bhagavanth Kesari” is a robust commercial entertainer with a second half that outshines the first. Balakrishna’s performance as Kesari is excellent and may even surpass his role in “Akhanda” in the eyes of his fans. The film is filled with powerful dialogues without going over the top, and the mass action sequences are impactful. The emotional scenes resonate with the audience, and Sreeleela’s acting is a pleasant surprise. Director Anil Ravipudi presents Balakrishna in a new light, making “Bhagavanth Kesari” a must-watch for the festive season.
