A routine tale with a crazy twist!

Uppena movie review: A lot of hype surrounded Uppena. Though the film turns on a routine story, there are many interesting elements that keep the audience glued to the screen. There are splashes of novelty in places, and the climax is awesome!

Aashirvadam aka Aashi (Vaishnav Tej) is the son of a fisherman who falls head-over-heels in love with Sangeetha aka Bebamma (Krithi Shetty), daughter of Rayanam (Vijay Sethupathi), a village landlord. The couple is deeply in love but unable to take their relationship forward because of the clashes between the two villages. Their social disparity and punishment by Rayanam push them apart. How can their love emerge victorious?

The story may sound mundane, but what adds the zing to the canvas is a string of crazy surprises that spring up at frequent intervals. Multiple high points keep you rooted to the plot and the characters. The emotional journey of the lead pair may look tedious, but is imperative for the narrative.

Vaishnav Tej makes a great debut with Uppena. He perfectly fits the role of Aashi, and his performance is flawless. Krithi Shetty brings a magical charm to the screen. Vijay Sethupathi is menacing as the baddie, and you wish he had got more screen time in the first half. Nevertheless, whenever he is seen, he is a showstopper.

That being said, the second half hits a lean patch and fails to live up to the pre-interval blast. It moves slowly. Routine elements pop up in this part of the film.

The climax can be interpreted in different ways, from the standpoints of different characters.   The crazy twist works well.

Director Butchi Babu makes an impressive debut. He packaged a regular story interestingly. However, he could have cut down on the lags in the latter half.

All in all, Uppena has its share of highs and lows. The actors and technical departments shine. The romance between the lead pair is so cool. DSP’s music and background score are among the plus points of the movie. A little work on the screenplay could have made it much tauter. Nonetheless, it’s a hard-hitting, emotional