An engaging experience
Cast: Pawan Kalyan, Rana Daggubati, Nithya Menen and Murli Sharma
Film: Bheemla Naayak
Director: Saagar K Chandra
Rating: 3
Story: What happens when a sub-inspector and a rich spoilt brat (son of an ex-MP) lock horns due to their egos? It turns out to be a battle of vengeance.
Review: Bheemla Nayak (Pawan Kalyan) is a sub-inspector at a hamlet near Srisailam. He arrests Daniel Shekar (Rana Daggubati) who is illegally carrying liquor at night. That sets the ball rolling for the rest of the film.
The film is an adaptation of the Malayalam movie Ayyapanum Koshiyum. The basic plot of the rustic action drama revolves around the face-off between two men who both have a high self-image. While the makers have retained the original story, the characters have been tweaked.
The film’s director Saagar Chandra has done a commendable job in handling the writing. He has etched the principal characters (with the help of writer Trivikram Srinivas) neatly, and his adaptation of the screenplay and dialogues certainly works for the most part.
The director has also tightened the loose ends of the original version by making some changes to the script.
As the cold war between Bheemla and Daniel gets bigger, the writing gets better. Humiliation, insults and embarrassment dominate the battle between the two. Bheemla gets suspended and the change in his temperament is effectively shown. The scenes where Bheemla unleashes his wild side to take revenge on Daniel, and how he controls his aggression when he gets suspended have been efficiently depicted.
The director has managed the extremely difficult task of engaging the audience with a simplistic, single-thread plot, through with his writing.
Also, it’s good to see the makers sticking to the plot without introducing unnecessary duet songs with Suguna (Nithya Menen), Bheemla’s wife.
While the first half is spent in establishing the plot and characters, the second half shows how both Bheemla and Daniel proceed with their respective action plans.
Action sequences have been well choreographed, especially the lodge fight.
The film is set in the Nallamalla Forests. Cinematographer Ravi C Chandran deserves commendation for his camera work.
However, when the flashback episode starts, the pace of the film falls. This section isn’t there in the original and perhaps this is where the film loses grip. Also, after the high provided by the pre-climax, the climax itself pales.
Director Saagar Chandra and Trivikram have managed to retain the essence of the film while doing justice to the image of Pawan Kalyan.
The actor, who is known for his short temper, is tailor-made for the character of Bheemla. He comes up with a commanding performance. His screen presence and dialogue delivery elevate his character. And he seems to have given his everything for the pre-climax fight.
Rana Daggubati delivers a stellar performance. This is his best role after Baahubali, where he is on par with the protagonist. His swagger, body language and gestures make him the perfect antagonist. Thaman’s score is another huge asset to the film, especially during the scenes leading up to the action sequences.
On the whole, if you desist from comparing with the original, Bheemla Naayak is a reasonably well-made film.
