Kathanayakudu - Review
A sensitive film extolling the virtues of friendship
The Cast and Crew
Rajnikant, Jagapati Babu, Nayanatara, Meena, Mamata Mohandas, Tanikella Bharani, Ali, Dharmavarapu Subramanyam, Brahmanandam, Sunil, MS Narayana, Kondavalasa, Rajitha, Geeta
Dialogues - Lyrics: Vennelakanti
Music: GV Prakash Kumar
Cinematography: Arvind Krishna
Producers: C Aswini Dutt & Vijaya Kumar
Screenplay – direction: P Vasu
The Film
This film is a remake of the hit Malayalam film Katha Parayumbol, where Rajinikanth plays the role of a Super Star. The film revolves around the meeting of two childhood friends, who grow up to be at opposite ends of the social scale.
The Synopsis
Ashok Kumar (Rajinikanth) and Balu ( Jagapathibabu) are childhood friends in a village. As is the wont of fate, Ashok migrates to the city. The friends have not met for a couple of decades. Ashok becomes a super star in the tinsel town, while Balu ekes out a living as a barber in the same village.
While Ashok leads a lavish life, Balu is below the poverty line struggling to make both ends meet. Balu is also virtuous in his way of living.
Things suddenly change, when unexpectedly Ashok lands in the village to shoot for a film. The wife of Balu (Meena) and the entire village know of Balu’s friendship with Ashok and await their reunion.
The rest of the story deals with final meeting of these two friends, who are now poles apart on both the social and financial scales.
The Performance
Rajinikanth is his usual swashbuckling self and plays the role of Super Star with aplomb. He is very effective in the emotional scenes. Jagapathibabu has given an exceedingly convincing performance and may even get him a best actor award. Meena’s portrayal is very credible. Nayanatara and Mamata Mohandas are quite glamorous and contribute to the ornamental value of the film.
All other characters played by supporting artistes are adequate. Somehow the comedians did not succeed in making any rib-tickling impact.
The Techniques
A lot of changes have been made in the story and screenplay from the original Malayalam script, but the narration speed is not at in the comfort zone. Rajini’s footage is interesting. The hopes, ambitions and self doubts of Balu have all been done skillfully. The best of the film comes last. The climax is very well conceived and executed.
Dialogues are crisp and catchy. The music is very good and adds to the flavor of the film. Cinematography is in tune with the story, lavish on Rajini and sensitively somber on Balu. The dances are stylishly choreographed and slickly picturised.
The Verdict
This is not an out and out Rajinikanth film, though he has spiced it up to suit the taste of the audience. This is certainly Jagapathibabu’s film, where he has delivered an award winning level of performance.
The film deserves to be seen once.
The Rating
3 out of 5
Starring Vishal, Nayanthara. Music Scored by Harris Jayaraj and Direction by Rajasekhar
