: Allu Arjun, Bhanu, Suhasini, Naresh, Ashish Vidyarthi, Sayaji Shinde, Ahuthi Prasad, Brahmanandam, Brahmaji and Vinaya Prasad
Film: VaruduRating: 2.25/5Banner: Universal Media
Cast: Allu Arjun, Bhanusree Mehra, Arya, Ashish Vidyarthi, Suhasini, Naresh, Vinaya, Nasser, Rao Ramesh, Sayaji Shinde, Ahuti Prasad, Brahmanandam, Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, Anita Chowdary and others
Music: Mani Sharma
Cinematography: R D Rajasekhar
Dialogues: Thota Prasad
Editing: Anthony
Fights: Stun Siva
Story, screenplay, direction: Gunasekhar
Producer: D V V Danayya
Release date: 31/03/2010
Dynamic director Gunasekhar has finally arrived after the debacle of ‘Sainikudu’ and this time, he took the concept of an authentic Telugu marriage and a mysterious bride, was he successful in appealing to the audience, let us see.
Story:Sandeep (Allu Arjun) is a happy go lucky guy who is fun loving but very traditional at heart. He decides to get married in the traditional fashion of five-day events and 16 day celebrations. So much so that he decides not to see the face of the bride until the ‘Jeelakarra Bellam’ time. True to his idealism, even the bride Deepthi (Bhanusri Mehra) sticks to it. Just when they are about to get married, Deepthi gets kidnapped by Diwakar (Arya). Why does Diwakar do that? Does the marriage happen? What happens from there forms the rest of the story.
Performances:Allu Arjun, given his highly energetic image, this comes across as a mild character which was etched out poorly so the flair of Allu Arjun is missing. He needs to work on his dialogue delivery as a lot of accent is surfacing.
Bhanu Mehra is not worth the mystery. Barring the beauty spot on her chin and expressive eyes, there is not much from her in terms of glamour or performance.
Arya has a strong screen presence and powerful eyes but then his role was not drawn properly and he was not used to the fullest potential. However, he brought some life to the movie at few places.
Brahmi was waste, so was Ahuti Prasad, the others like Ashish Vidyarthi, Suhasini, Naresh, Vinaya were just for brand value and they didn’t have much to offer. Singeetam Sreenivasa Rao, the senior director did his bit as required. Lavakusha Nagaraju appears in a single frame. Nasser was natural, Sayaji Shinde was brief, Rao Ramesh came and went. The other bunch of real time families and supporting artistes were there to fill the screen, that’s all.
Highlights:- CG Work in couple of songs
Meaningless Aspects:- Fight on twin towers (I visualized them so..somebody said they looked like Nuclear Reactors/ Gas Chambers)
- Truck carrying away the hero along with bike rubbing against the road with sparks…and hero safe and steady
- Hero running away with heroine along with Saline bottle in an action episode
AnalysisIt is a laudable thought to come up with a presentation of an authentic Telugu wedding but the difference between a thought and getting it onto the screen is like chalk and cheese which is evident here. Gunasekhar has missed the way to do ‘Varudu’ impressively.
The entire episode of 5-day marriage is covered in just one song out of which, the first Charanam appeared no less like an ‘Ammavari Jaathara’ on screen, the second charanam got covered up with computer graphics. Why the hero wants to go in for a pre historic style of marriage? Is it his idealism? Is it just a fantasy? The questions aren’t answered logically. There is forcible preaching with less convincing dialogues.
Ultimately, what matters is the purpose the film is made at such exorbitant costs and what is the message it is trying to convey. Gunasekhar failed not just in the narration but also in conveying anything to the audience. His focus to bring about visual appeal looked more but he neglected the fundamentals like a strong script, deep content, and attention towards details. Cinematic liberties were used to the fullest and there were some absolutely ridiculous scenes which perplexed the audience at many points. Gunasekhar has always been revered as a brand and not just a director but it is with regret that he has lost it…and that too big time. The film might have a decent opening due to the hype created but given the budget involved; only ‘no-competition factor’ and the presence of Allu Arjun should save it.
Bottom Line: Could have been made carefully
Review in Short:
Story: Varudu is about the bride and groom not deciding to see each other till they are married. Though they have no idea as to how each of them look like, they have better understanding of Sanskrit, scriptures, religion, rituals and are well versed in defining love and matters of the heart. So when the bride is kidnapped half way through the wedding, she preserves her chastity until he the Varudu returns to find her and be rewarded with the ultimate kiss that contemporary Telugu cinema has never seen. If that's not enough she asks him, "Inkem kavali?" while the predators, the modern villains with weapons are waiting to finish them off.
The groom carries her and jumps into the water, swims ashore only to realize that's he has been famished. With a saline bottle in hand and the bride in the other he rolls over, tumbles on rocky terrains and finally helps her regain consciousness with two pieces of steaming idlis. But why has the bride been kidnapped? A good looking hunk but a psycho character with a funny name takes a fancy for her and vows to make her his wife. But mid way through the film he is challenged by the hero that if he is man enough he should come to the venue of their marriage and take her away. The crazy chap waits for the Varudu to marry the vadhuvu patiently and then unleashes torture. Why does he wait? He has another psycho answer for that.
The finale is liberation time for Aarya the villain as well as the audience. Finally you are left wondering if you have seen a mythological film or a love story where strangers fantasise traditional arranged marriage.
