Janaka Aithe Ganaka Review

Janaka Aithe Ganaka kind of creates a lineage around the lower middle class with a courtroom twist. Director Sandeep Reddy Bandla aims to spotlight the unsung resilience of the lower middle class common man, who is not highly educated, grabs whatever job comes his way, and struggles to stay afloat, doing this through humour, familial friction and social commentary. And to some extent he seems to succeed.

Prasad (Suhas) is a hardworking Magic Wash washing machine salesman who kind of barely breaks even in life, managing finances and family tensions. Unsure about starting a family since he cannot provide the best to a child, Prasad and his wife (Sangeerthana Vipin) decide against having kids. They take all care not to conceive, but a faulty condom results in pregnancy. This leads to Prasad going to court to sue the condom manufacturer for misleading advertisements.

The movie opens strong, painting Prasad's world with a relatable humour that captures middle-class quirks. Prasad's heated exchanges with his father over a botched real estate deal, his awkward job interview, his petty but intimate gossips with his advocate friend (Vennela Kishore) over drinks, and his unique bonding moments with his wife over jalebis are all done well. To this point the movie is a hell of a laugh riot, and none of the comic moments is forced.

Then comes the interval, after which the story shifts to the courtroom and the movie starts stumbling. What could've been a meaningful exploration of social issues instead leans on slapstick and exaggeration, ultimately diluting the intended commentary on sensitive topics. Despite a promising setup, the director struggles to balance the family drama with the courtroom absurdity. The mishmash of humour and sentimental scenes in the second half makes the narration muddled rather than impactful.

Some of the sequences in the second half of the movie feel illogical. It doesn't make much sense when Prasad quits his job as he is barely able to make ends meet. He doesn't want to raise kids for that reason. It also doesn't make much sense how an unemployed Prasad challenges a condom manufacturing giant in court.

It's difficult to fathom why directors like Bandla try to put all the navarasas - humour, anger, horror, amazement, sorrow, melodrama... - into a comedy movie. This type of more is not always the merrier. Creating a movie squarely targeted at humour is possible - Stree 2 and Mathu Vadalara 2 in just this year have proved it.

Suhas delivers a familiar yet sincere performance, embodying the everyman caught in a ludicrous situation. He is The Show. He aces the role of a Salesman cum Customer Service Executive. His daily drill, his interactions with his boss and customers, and eventually his resignation from the job seem so genuine and so hilarious that you are bound to laugh out loud.

Goparaju Ramana does a good job as Prasad's stubborn father, though his character's potential remains largely unexplored. Sangeerthana Vipin brings a warm presence as Prasad's wife, but her role is disappointingly one-dimensional, confined to supportive smiles and one-liners. Vennela Kishore provides much-needed comic relief, managing to elevate repetitive scenes with his effortless timing. Rajendra Prasad and Prabhas Sreenu shine in brief but underutilized roles.

The cinematography by Sai Sriram adds visual warmth, capturing the essence of middle-class life with vibrant hues. Vijai Bulganin's background score supports the film's emotional arcs, while Karthik's "Nuvve Naku Lokam" stands out as a melodious addition to the soundtrack.

Janaka Aithe Ganaka aims to tackle the social issues of our times but misses the mark due to inconsistent storytelling, especially post-interval. Though it begins with a genuine look at middle-class issues, it quickly loses steam, relying on clichés and over-the-top characters. Suhas and the cast giving it their all doesn't compensate for the bad narration and the bad logic. Fans of courtroom comedies might find a few laughs, and fans of Suhas and Vennela Kishore will have a laugh riot, but those looking for a grounded drama may walk away unsatisfied.