Story
Rajagopal - an activist and a lawyer is murdered. A cop Kishore (Harish Uthaman) arrests a software engineer Surya Prakash (Allari Naresh) on the basis of circumstantial evidence. Surya Prakash languishes in jail as an undertrial prisoner. After 5 years, a young lawyer Aadhya (Varalaxmi Sarath Kumar) takes up his case and arranges a bail for him. She encourages him to file a case (IPC section 211) on the corrupt cop Kishore who incriminated him knowingly that he is innocent. Rest of the story is all about why Surya is implicated and how Surya succeeds in taking revenge on the corrupt cop lawfully.
Artists Performance
Actors: Allari Naresh who is known as a comedy hero tried to do serious/different films in the past. But audiences haven't accepted him in non-comedic roles except for Gamyam (his character in Gamyam too has entertainment for most of the time). His role in Maharshi was the beginning towards image-makeover. He has accepted a difficult role in Naandhi. He has two tasks. One is to make people forget him as a comedy actor. Second one is to perform in such a way that they look at the character, not the actor. He has succeeded in this movie with an intense and gritty performance. Except for one thread in the flashback with the heroine, there is no comedy orientation to the film at all. The serious subject and director’s handling of his character also helped Naresh to outsmart his past baggage (comedy) and come out as a serious performer. His performance in Naandhi is award-worthy.
Other actors: Varalaxmi Sarath Kumar who is known for negative characters so far played a positive/supporting role in this film and she surprises you with her performance. Priyadarshi Pulikonda has done a lengthy role and he is good. Praveen too has a lengthy role. Navami Gayak is okay as the hero's love interest. Harish Uthaman is good. Srikanth Iyangar has done his role differently and is good. Vinay Varma, Devi Prasad and others have done well.
Technical departments
Story - screenplay - direction: Story provided by Toom Venkat is very realistic. It’s a risky proposition to cast a comedy actor for such a serious court drama. Director Vijay Kanakamedala succeeds in projecting Naresh as an intense performer and makes us believe in the character and the story. Court drama in the second half is good. However, the nexus between politician and corrupt cop is told in a convenient manner. The financial dealings conducted and communications done between cops/politicians won’t be so naive and immature. The director has shown a popular ending though there is an option to finish the film on a much stronger note. The screenplay should have been more challenging in second while getting the proof of relation between cop/politician. The director tried to do it commercially (entire villain thread) even though the rest of the film is realistic. Vijay has a good future if he finds subjects with the right balance. As the real conflict is resolved, we come to know that it’s more of an abuse by an individual than the system.
Other departments: Cinematography by Sid deserves a special mention. Shot composition in the film is good. There is a 5-minute-length single-shot in the film that's shot seamlessly. You wouldn’t notice it unless you watch it with that intent. Lighting is also properly done in the film except for scenes shot in the ex-minister house in the second half. Songs composed by Sri Charan Pakala are good. But two romantic songs are placed in a gap of 10 minutes (not needed). Background music is very good. Art direction by Brahma Kadali is realistic. Dialogues penned by Abburi Ravi are good. Editing by Chota K Prasad is neat. Torture scenes composed by action director Venkat are raw. Production values by SV2 Entertainment banner are decent.
Analysis: Naandhi deals with the section 211 of Indian Penal Code. Plus points of the film are realistic story and Allari Naresh performance. On the flipside, the screenplay in the second half is too convenient. This film surely gives a huge breather for Allari Naresh who was never accepted by audiences whenever he tried to non-comedic films. Despite a few cinematic liberties in the second half, Naandhi is a realistic and honest film with a good engagement quotient. You may watch it!
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