Indhumathi - Designed to thrill

Shivaji, Swetha Bharadwaj, Harsha Vardhan and Bharath Reddy feature in lead roles of 'Indumathi' which has been directed by Harsha P Reddy for Geo Media Arts.

Plenty of thrillers and suspense filled storylines are in vogue these days and given the fact that technology is rollicking, many of these films work at the box office. 'Indumathi' released on New Year's day has indeed lived up to expectations and comes across as a good entertainer.

Story

Honey (Swetha Bharadwaj) works for a company. The MD of the company has loads of faith in her work. Raj (Bharath Reddy) who works for a BPO (call centre) is in love with her. Both of them feel that money is vital in order to get married and settle down peacefully.

One fine day the MD hands her 2 Crores of rupees in cash which has to be deposited in the company's bank account. Taking her boyfriend Raj with her she flees with the money to Hyderabad. They rent out a house there- Ananda Nilayam, in Gachibowli and begin to live together. Soon Raj gets murdered and Honey goes missing from the place.

Four friends Rajesh, Banti, Kishore, Sheshi rent out the same house, which is owned by Anand (Harsha Vardhan). Later Chandu (Shivaji) a friend of Sheshi joins them. From then onwards one after another the inmates of Ananda Nilayam begin to die.

Who is the killer in Ananda Nilayam? Who is Indumathi? Why did Chandu, who was supposed to go to America, come here? What happens at the end? To unravel the mystery watch 'Indumathi'.

Performance of Artists

'Manthra' features Shivaji in a unique role with an unusual characterization. Now in 'Indumathi' he is seen in a deglamorised character as a psycho, which he has performed excellently. His portrayal of a psycho killer has stood out as the main attraction for the film. Earlier Shivaji did a similar role in 'Shradhanjali' and in a film made by Ushakiran Movies.

Swetha Bharadwaj did a good job although this is her first film. Her glam quotient is an additional attraction for the film.

Kishore, who was introduced through the character of Bharath in 'Vennela', VijaySai, Srinivas Reddy have sufficiently entertained the audience with their comedy acts. Rajesh has done well within the limits of his character.

The performance of Harsha Vardhan and Tulasi is okay. Though Raghubabu appears in a single scene, he has been successful in tickling the audience.

Technicians Work

It is well know that music plays an important part in suspense thrillers. Anand who debuted with 'Manthra', has composed excellent re-recording for this film.

Photography by Vasu is equally matching. The sequences filmed with night effects and those that show the building under water have come out in brilliant fashion. The lighting has been apt.

Art director Narayana Reddy's work, especially the house set is good. Shankar's editing and Nandu's fights are ok.

Directors Work

Harsha Reddy stepped into films as a producer with 'Andharu Dongale' and turned into director with 'Indumathi'. Although this is his first project the story is also an acquainted one, the screenplay is good. Harsha Reddy was successful in maintaining the tempo of the story and most importantly in horrifying the audience with the story.

Analysis

'Indumathi', is targeted for the audience who like to watch suspense thrillers. The film did succeed in entertainment with the horror element going. Though there are a few pits in the story and screenplay department, 'Indumathi' undisputedly has the potential to thrill audiences.

Released on: January 01, २००९

Get details at: http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/review/10622.html

Maska Movie Review

MS Raju well known as Sankranti Raju has come back with a mass commercial entertainer Maska by teaming with senior director B Gopal, young and energetic hero Ram and glamorous heroines Hansika and Sheela. As expected, the film has turned out to be a mass entertainer.

Krish (Ram) has not completed his degree, but wants to become a millionaire overnight. Following his friend's (Sunil) suggestion, Ram decides to marry a girl who would settle in the US with a big job. Krish tries to trap Manju (Sheela) the daughter of an MP, Jagannatham (Mukhesh Rushi). Learning that Manju wishes to love a boy who has been in love earlier, Krish narrates a fabricated love story to her. When Manju is about to propose to Krish, the fictitious character created by Krish comes alive as Meenu (Hansika). Then the triangular love game begins. Though Krish wants to trap Manju, he falls for Meenu's innocence.

Once, Krish saves Meenu from a gang of kidnappers and they become friends. When Meenu decides to propose to him, she comes to know that Krish is a fraud. She hates him and reveals the truth to Manju. However Manju loves him and asks him to save her from an unwanted marriage alliance. A few turn of events reveals that Meenu and Manju are step sisters. Jagannatham and another MP Shinde (Pradeep Rawat) contest for a ministerial berth. Shinde tries to disqualify Jagannatham on charges of bigamy for having married twice. In this backdrop, both Jagannatham and Shinde try to catch Meenu and her mother (Sita). In the climax, Krish confesses his true love for Meenu. The movie ends on a happy note with Jagannatham agreeing to relinquish the ministerial birth and Krish marrying Meenu.

PLUS: The film has been planned to be an out and out commercial entertainer. The first half is entirely devoted to attract the youth. The mind game coupled with comedy entertains the audiences well. Ram has got a complete chance to prove his acting capabilities with perfect comedy timing. Coming to the second half, director B Gopal has not been able to resist his regular tempo and instinct for making a faction-oriented subject. The entire second half is full of action and bloodshed. As a whole the film has all the elements that can attract the B and C centres' audiences. The music director has given tunes to the songs with a view on choreography. Hansika and Sheela have equally shared their roles in the film filled the glamour slots. Mukhesh Rushi and Pradeep Rawat are okay in villain roles. Comedy by Sunil is okay. After a long time Sunil has got an opportunity to play a full-length comedy role equal to the hero.

MINUS: Like many of the Telugu films, this movie too has no logic. However, the director needs to be commended for making the audiences believe many illogical scenes. Comedy by Brahmanandam has failed to evoke laughter. But for the logical part, the film is okay for a normal view. The audiences who spend their valuable time and money need not feel that their money has gone waste. But there are certain scenes where the audiences feel why and how the director could do that when it is almost impossible in real life. For example, the hero jumps from a 500 ft tall building, but goes unscathed. Such scenes evoke laughter from the audiences.

REMARKS: In one way, producer MS Raju has regained his past glory and has got back his earlier image of Sankranti Raju with the movie. Especially, Maska has brought back the smile on the face of 'Honey'. The novel combination of director, producer, music director, hero and heroine has worked out well. The directorial capabilities of B Gopal and the energetic performance by the hero Ram, the sizzling beauties Hansika and Sheela together are a feast for the audiences.

Cast: Ram, Hansika, Sheela, Pradeep Rawat, Sayaji Shinde, Sunil, Brahmanandam, Naresh, MS Narayana, Krishna Bhagawan, Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam, Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao, Adi of 'Munna'-fame, Narsing Yadav, Telangana Sakuntala and others

Credits: Story – Surya, Dialogues – Paruchuri Brothers, Music – Chakri, Cinematography – Sekhar V Joseph, Editing – Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao, Lyrics – Kandikonda, Action – Ram-Lakshman, Art – Rajesh, Screenplay – MS Raju, Direction – B. Gopal.

Banner: Sumanth Arts

Released on: January 14, 2009

Get More Ifo at: http://entertainment.oneindia.in/telugu/reviews/2009/maska-movie-review-150109.html