Title: Maharshi
CBFC Rating : UA
Run-Time: 2 Hrs 58 Mins
Release Date: 09-05-2019
Banner: Vyjayanthi Movies, Sri Venkateswara Creations, PVP Cinemas
Cast: Mahesh Babu, Pooja Hegde, Allari Naresh, Jagapathi Babu, Prakash Raj, Jayasudha, Vennela Kishore and Others
Music: Devi Sri Prasad
Cinematography: KU Mohanan
Editing: KL Praveen
Producer: C Aswini Dutt, Dil Raju, Param V Potluri, Perl V Potluri, Kevin Anne
Story & Dialogues Vamshi Paidipally, Hari, Solmon
Screenplay & Directed by Vamshi Paidipally
Story :
A surprise party hosted for newly appointed CEO of Origin Company, Rishi (Mahesh Babu) leads to him coming to know about a secret from his past. It is related to his friend Ravi (Allari Naresh) who has been missing since the last day of the college. What happened to Ravi (Allari Naresh) and why Pooja (Pooja Hegde) is not in talking terms with Rishi (Mahesh Babu)? Where does the journey of Rishi (Mahesh Babu) lead him when he sets to rediscover his friend Ravi (Allari Naresh)?
Performances:
Superstar Mahesh Babu is in his elements playing a character with three different shades. The stylish and suave Rishi is in complete contrast with the college-going attitude defining guy. And then there is the self-reflective Rishi with lots of maturity and restraint. Mahesh Babu excellently showcases these three different variations.
The fun part would be lapped up by fans who have been waiting for an energetic turn from Superstar for some time. It has many clap-worthy moments that will instantly connect with them. But, the real deal is the billionaire who realizes his love for farmers. The scenes involving them are the best part and bring the intense and emotional spark showing the actor in the Superstar. ‘Padara Padara’ song, the scenes following it and the press meet sequence, show range of Mahesh Babu as a performer which is sure to make fans proud.
Pooja Hegde is lovely and adds glamour to the proceedings with her presence. She is the one who infuses fun into the narrative and together with Mahesh Babu and Allari Naresh, Pooja Hegde gives the movie its lighter moments.
Allari Naresh is given a simple yet challenging role that is crucial to the narrative of the movie. He plays a part that becomes a catalyst in changing the thinking of Rishi. Allari Naresh also has two shades one involving fun and other serious. He does them with great ease and proves to be a great value addition to the film.
There are several artists those play critical roles in the movie from Jagapathi Babu to Sai Kumar to Rao Ramesh to Jaya Sudha. They all are given scenes to shine and make a positive impression in the narrative, however, small there parts are. Vennela Kishore and Posani Krishna Murali provide fun.
Highlights :
Mahesh Babu
Allari Naresh
Casting
Direction
Dialogues
Drawbacks :
Gets slow in the second half
Analysis:
Maharshi is director Vamshi Paidipally’s new outing after the much loved Oopiri. Previously to that, he has made mass, and class entertainers. In Maharshi, he brings all those various elements together to bring an electrifying outing that leaves fans supercharged.
Superstar Mahesh Babu has been presented at his stylish best in the first ten minutes. It is a never seen before bond-esque suave avatar that is sure to make fans thrilled to bits. Without wasting any time, Vamshi Paidipally gets into the crux of things with the college flashback. The entertainment and grungy looks is a delight, and it keeps the narrative light and progress briskly at the same time.
It is at the interval point that the real story and the journey of Maharshi begins. From then onwards, Vamshi Paidipally takes an emotional route with a dash of heroism to keep things moving forward. We know the importance the story has for Mahesh Babu when in the second half, he takes a backseat intermittently to let others parts shine. Everyone gets their due with Mahesh Babu standing behind and observing with an intense gaze. And finally, when the moment arrives in the action block, he towers over everyone else.
The fight saving Allari Naresh is sure to be among top action blocks in Superstar’s career. Post that, the movie is wrapped up neatly with an emotional high without any lag at all. Maharshi finally is a soul-stirring journey that is sure to make all the viewer’s look inwards and question their behavior and reaction towards farmer and their problems.
Devi Sri Prasad does a fantastic job with the music and the background score that is in sync with the proceedings from the start. He seems to understand the true underlying worth of the project at hand and delivers top-notch work accordingly. The cinematography by KU Mohanan is extraordinary. The opening sequences look straight out of a Hollywood movie. The editing by KL Praveen is sensible towards the core issue at the cost of the pace. It shows how confident he is about the content. Ram-Lakshman’s fights are spell-binding. The producers, Ashwini Dutt, Dil Raju, and Prasad V Potluri must be appreciated for backing a hard-hitting subject like Maharshi. Together, they have delivered a world-class product.
Bottom-line: Superstar’s Memorable Journey Evokes A Powerful Message
Rating: 3.75/5
