Cast: Manoj, Sheela, Dhandayudhapani, Tanikella Bharani, Saranya, Raghubabu, Brahmanandam, Ali, Rajeev, Giribabu, Suneel, Mallikarjuna Rao, Srilalitha, Deepanjali
Director:Soorya Kiran
Producer:Dr Mohanbabu.M
Music:Yuvan Shankar Raja
Action:Ram-Lakshman
Art:Ashokkumar
Cinematography:Prasad
Average Fare
After a successful 'Satyam', a disastrous 'Dhana 51' and a damp 'Brahmastram', director Soorya Kiran is back with 'Raju Bhai'.
Starring Manchu Manoj Kumar, it is his third movie after 'Donga Dongadi' and 'Sree'. The actor has now lost oodles of weight and is
looking much better than he did in his debut. Raju Bhai is no great shakes, but it definitely beats the heat.
Plot:
Babaji (Dhandayudhapani) is the local Don types. Raju is jobless till he saves Babaji's son Vasanth from some rival
parties. Raju gets into Babaji's gang, doing jobs for him that take muscle power. He meets Anjali (Sheela), (who has only her
father-Tanikella Bharani) who he fights with, but obviously falls for later. She tries to convert him to be decent and leave the rowdy
gang. But in a police raid in an unrespectable area, Raju is caught. Anjali breaks up with him, but there is more truth than that meets
the eye. Raju's sacrifice and whether he wins her love back is the rest of the plot.
Story, Screenplay and Direction:
The first half goes on smoothly, with a dash of humor in the form of Raju's histrionics, Suneel and Brahmanandam. The love story
begins and breaks with a predictable note. The second half drags for a very short while, then moves on fast forward. Towards the
climax, there are too many twists and turns in the last half-hour. Suneel and his side-kick, Brahmanandam and his antics, Anjali-Raju
love story in the first half works out well. The lead pair is good and convincing. Here and there, the direction gets slightly shabby,
then picks up, polished. The music can be counted as a highlight. Soorya Kiran gives the movie a Tamil touch, for those who watch
Tamil movies regularly can tell the difference immediately. Manoj carries the weight of the movie on his now slim shoulders. But after
'Satyam', the director was expected to do something better than this.
Performances:
The rash energy of 'Donga Dongadi' is replaced by some rushes of enthusiasm and eagerness, and a sprinkle of subtlety. The
character is written for Manoj, and the director brings out an able performance. Sheela is good too, but in some parts her
performance is raw. Tanikella Bharani displays perfect timing and Suneel with his sidekick rocks. Brahmanandam, Ali and
M.S.Narayana, in the few scenes they appear, generate laughs. Dhandayudhapani as Babaji is similar to Rajan P.Dev (the goon in
'Aadi' and many other movies) and is convincing.
Music and Dance:
A feather in the cap for this movie, Yuvan's music has something for everyone. Nothing outstanding,
but it is hummable and is placed well in the movie.
Last Word:It's an average entertainer, with the hero being made into a tough guy-turns into sacrificial goat. Nothing we
haven't seen before. Raju Bhai has some sentiment, some comedy, a few good songs, a good lead pair and regular fight sequences.
That sounds good, but for almost 3 hours, there has to be more substance. Otherwise, its again regular fare. Been there, seen that. |  |
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