Film: Maharadhi
Cast: Balakrishna, Sneha, Meera Jasmine, Jayaprada, Naresh, Kovai Sarala, Jayaprakash Reddy, Ali, Totapalli Madhu, Navaneet Kaur and others
Dialogues: Totapalli Madhu
Music: Gurukiran
Cinematography: Sekhar V Joseph
Editing: Suresh Urs
Produced by: Vakada Apparao
Banner: Sri Lalitakalanjali productions
Story, screenplay and directed by: P Vasu
Release Date: February 1, 2007
CBFC Rating: U

What’s it about!

Chamundeshwari (Jayaprada) is a rich businesswoman who owns several colleges. She recruits a young dance teacher Krrish aka Krishna (Balakrishna) for her dance college in Rishikesh. Opposite to her dance college, Chowdhary (Naresh) runs a music college in which a traditional music teacher Bala (Balakrishna) is the chief mentor. Chamundeshwari asks Krrish to woo Chowdhary’s daughter Kalyani (Meera Jasmine) and bring her into the dance college. Incidentally it is later revealed that Chamundeshwari and Chowdhary are husband and wife but took divorce from each other. Meanwhile, Kalyani is in deep love with Krrish and demands that if he doesn’t marry her she’d commit suicide. Then he reveals that Krrish and Bala are the same person and there is past behind him. He is actually a good-hearted rowdy Balayya (Balakrishna). A dance researcher Bhairavi (Sneha) makes him fall in her love. When everything was going smooth, tragic accident happens. What happens then follows the rest of the story.

Analysis

And finally here comes an entertaining film from Balakrishna after a long long time. Maharadhi is surprise package. No mindless violence, no bloodshed, no crass dialogues in this film. Coupled with lighter moments, good music, excellent performance by Balakrishna and sensible handling by director P Vasu makes Maharadhi a good watch. But most of it seem lika drama and much of the scenes remind deja vu. It's only that after a series of bad films from NBK’s stable it is refreshing to see him in a family-entertaining movie that has right blend of entertainment, mass elements and sentiment.

The first half is highly hilarious. Though it slackens a bit in the second half, but the twist towards the end and the climax makes up it.

These days mass heroes’ films are by and large shot in crass way but the director handled the story in sensible way. Technically too it scores. It is not a superior film but definitely a decent and good entertainer.

What’s hot!

Director P Vasu gave new lease of life to Rajnikant has done it again. He presents NBK in new perspective. He has projected him good and used his pluses to the film’s advantage. Kannada music director Gurukiran should be appreciated for lilting music. All the songs are pleasant on the screen. Especially the, Veeche Galullao…song is used beautifully in the narration. First half’s lighter moments, Sneha’s character, sentiment scenes are major assets.

Old hits of NTR and Jayaprada’s playing in the background and Balakrishna constantly being compared with the titles and characters of his father are sure to makes his fans go in frenzy.

Performances

Without doubt, it is Balakrishna’s one-man show. And he does it so exceedingly good. He appears in four different getups and in all of them he looks convincing. The role of Krrish and the character of labour Balayya are best suited him. There is no separate comedy track but NBK provides the humor with his acting style. Perhaps, after Narsinhanaidu this is his best film as per as his performance is concerned. All the three characters that he portrays (though he is single person) are etched very well. The scene where Sneha asks Balakrishna to steal her ‘sheelam’, both the actors are excelled.

After Balakrishna, Sneha gets meatier role and she gives good performance. The veteran actor Jayaprada exudes arrogance that her character requires. She also looks glamorous. For comedian Kovai Sarala, it is different role as a mother to a big hero and she is adequate. Meera Jasmine is plain okay. Rest of the characters don’t shine.

Technically Sekhar Joseph walks away with the honours. Suresh Urs editing and action sequences have elevated further.

What’s not?

Second half has slow pace. And the sentiment scenes are dragged a bit. Many of the scenes remind of déjà vu.

Bottom-line!

Maharadhi is a decent and good entertainer. It is typical P Vasu film that looks on the face not that good but it would eventually strikes the chord with the audience. The music, entertainment, fresh story line, and sentiment will go well with the A class audiences and families. And Balakrishna’s one-man show and his excellent performance will make his fans happy. In a nutshell, director P Vasu has cleverly projected Balakrishna in a new manner. It is a good watch.

Sourced from

1. Vadakkumnathan: The scenes of Balakrishna wandering in Rishikesh and the song of Veeche Galullalo are straight lift from Mohan Lal starrer Malayalam hit, Vadakkumnathan.