Oka V Chitram Movie Reviews

Teja is a free spirit. His films had thrived, despite the implausibility of the themes, because of his ability to mix mass elements. His films always speak for the underdogs of the society. In Oka V chitram too he does that. And in a sense, he speaks for himself as he makes a lorry cleaner end up as a director (shades of his own life). The story looks unreal, but the film may work simply because Teja has also managed to weave a good humour script around it. The mass elements may see the film through.

Balram (Pradeep) is a lorry cleaner and is a die-hard fan of Santosh Babu (Balram). But he doesn't like the actor's new release and hence speaks against it in the neighbourhood. The locals jeer and throw the gauntlet on him and ask him to direct a film. Balram accepts the weird challenge and lands in Hyderabad. With no formal training in films, he kncoks on the doors of Santosh Babu in the hope of making a film with him. The hero naturally strikes down the idea. So Balram cooks up a plan and plot and shoots the film --- almost as a sting operation --- unknown to the hero. The rest is not difficult to guess.

The film's strength may be the sheer impossibility of the plot. But the 'fantasy' is utterly likable, and may help it along. Of course, the story has borrowed ideas from both Desi and international movies. But Teja has wisely incorporated some comedy elements to see the film through.

New comer Pradeep looks impressive. He has shown both spark and spontaneity. Of course, there are rough edges in both his characterization and his depiction of it. But for a debutant, Pradeep has shown enough maturity. Vamsy to fit the bills of an actor. Poonam (Deepa) having the second release of this season has nothing much to do. M S Narayana and others bring the house down with some wonderful comedy. In a sense, they make the film work.

Murali, another newcomer, has given good music. Sandeep Reddy's camera work is pleasing to the eyes.

Teja as ever lays it bit thick. Subtlety is not his virtue. But that is his style. It has worked in the past. It remains to be seen whether it works still.