Buzzing Movies

Tulasi is Venkatesh's latest release after two hits-Laxmi and Adavari Matalaku Ardale Verule. Laxmi has a feminine name, but it is one of the few movies of Venkatesh which has an ample dose of action. In that movie, Laxmi leads a sort of double life, where he can be violent and bash up the baddies, and then be a silent and strong boss. Tulasi is again a feminine name, a strong character, a double life of sorts. The screenplay in both the movies uncovers some twists at sudden junctures.

Plot Tualsi and Vasu are living separate because Vasu cannot take his violent streak. He comes to Bangalore and stays in the same flats where she and their son Harsha reside. Much to her disdain, their five year old discovers that Tulasi is his father and they become close. She asks the owner (Ali) to get rid of him and it reaches the ears of some goondas that he is staying there. The reason the goons are after him and the violence that tore this small family apart becomes clear. The urgent reason they need to get together now also become evident.

Story, Screenplay and Direction The story is pretty straight forward. It's the screenplay which is taut and aims to surprise the viewer. The very beginning is a silly/laughable fight sequence, then a soppy family drama begins and finishes off with a brief flashback. It alternates between present and flashback even in the second half. The climax drags a bit, but that is crucial to the plot.

There are three angles in the story: one, father-son relationship; two, a love story that starts and ends quickly, and three, a violent action-packed 'Seema' angle that is supposed to accelerate the drama. To the director's credit, it is less of faction and more of wrong place, wrong time for the ever-sacrificing Venkatesh. The love story is brief, and the father-son angle does not get too mushy for words and leaves breathing space.

All the action is set in Bangalore, and a sub-plot is thrown in unnecessarily. The humor part is not that high, with Ali's character falling flat and failing to generate many laughs. The dialogues and editing are adequate. Two questions: what kind of a man takes three bullets and a deep stab with the knife and still fights? What kind of a girl leaves a gravely injured man who happens to be her estranged husband lying on the ground? Venkatesh and Nayanatara, that's who.

Performances Venkatesh has the film on his toned shoulders, and does a good job. Nayanatara and Venkatesh share a good chemistry on camera. The little kid is good enough, thankfully without trying to act too cute. Ashish Vidyardhi and Subbaraju do a good job. Ali is okay, Narsing and Uttej justify their roles and Ramya Krishna is convincing as Dr Surekha. Jhansi is a laugh roit.

Music and Dance Two of the songs are good, while the rest are just about okay, including the title song.

Last Word A little more humor and a little less dragging would have done this movie and the audience a favor. Still, Tulasi manages to float rather than sink completely. It is not disappointing, but not Venkatesh's best yet. With the kind of reach and experience production houses like SP and stars like Venkatesh have, you expect bigger and better things each time. That, sadly, one doesn't get in Tulasi.

End Credits

Starring:Venkatesh, Nayanatara, Sivaji, Shriya, Ramyakrishna, Athulith, Jayaprakash Reddy, Sravan, Allari Ravi, Ashish Vidyarthi, Subbaraju, Riyaz Khan, Eshwar Reddy, Rahul Dev and Others.
Action: Ram-Laxman, Kanal Kannan.
Cinematography: Bala Murugan.
Dialogues: Paruchuri Brothers.
Editing: Marthand K. Venkatesh.
Lyrics: Chandrabose-Bhaskarabhatla-Sahithi.
Music: Devisri Prasad.
Story: Akula Siva.
Screenplay & Direction: Boyapati Srinu.
Producer: Suresh.
Presenter: D. Ramanaidu.
Banner: Suresh Productions (P) Ltd.
Release Date: 12th October, 2007.

Labels: nayanatara, tulasi, venkatesh

Posted by Raj on Thursday, 1 November, 2007 at 1:37 PM | Permalink