Kabaddi Kabaddi Review

A layman would probably say that Kabaddi Kabaddi is inspired by Lagaan. A layman (again) would probably say that it's inspired by Avunu Valliddaru Ishtapaddaaru. In fact, this brings us to an interesting observation about laymen and movies. If you explore the history of laymen and movies, you will realise that you're an idiot. Why would anyone want to explore the history of laymen and movies? Haven't you had enough of that in the past? But if you do, then you'll notice that all of them were spot on with their observations. And Kabaddi Kabaddi isn't brave enough to oppose this tradition.

Rambabu (Jagapathi Babu) is our typical village bloke caught in a typical web of agonisingly difficult times. He's living in the dreadful holocaust of gobbledygook humor, left out of Avunu Valliddaru Ishtapaddaaru! It's incredible how the very same artists who tickled us so in the former fail to even produce a smirk in this one. Anyway most of the first half is wasted in introducing us to the team members of the soon-to-come Kabaddi match. How would you know there'd be a kabaddi match and that these guys will be in the team? By looking at the posters all over town, you nimrod!

Kauveri (Kalyani) is the only meaningful character in the story for the first half. Firstly for making the hero flip for her, and, secondly and more importantly, for not trying to be funny! Rambabu, after the initial customary hiccups, does manage to woo her by his unconventional charm. The best part about their whole romantic affair is the backdrop against which it blossoms. The swadeshi palms, inland waters and thatch roofs provide us with a much needed break from the Seychelles and Malaysias.

And then comes the remarkable twist. Yawn. Kauveri's big bro wants to get her hitched to a thug who's a Kabaddi stalwart and Rambabu, infuriated by this, declares Kabaddi to be as easy as producing dunce humor. So the bro challenges the hero to compete with the already expert hu tu tu team of their village. Having read the script till the end, Rambabu wants the wager to be raised, and proposes Kauveri's hand as a bonus. Big bro, confident about his team of thugs, accepts, but on one condition: that Rambabu take the whole of her instead!

The second half is about Rambabu gathering his team of misfits and training them. Once you put one & one together, you'll see the ingenuity in choosing a few of them: 1. Shastri - the pandit who can chant without taking breath. 2. Dongakollu: the guy who chases chicks (literally) and captures them skillfully. 3. Chai Wala: since he says "Cuppu-tea, Cuppu-tea" and that sounds like kabaddi kabaddi. After strenuous training, without a song, that too, the d-day arrives, and obviously the amateur team wins.

The makers of the movie perhaps thought that they'd get lucky and people would not remember Pardes. Well guys, we actually don't! The Kabaddi match between the hero and the not for the heroine is truly an original idea. The Indian Olympic Committee might sue the makers for something. Why? Just for the heck of it, they're in dire need of money!

Jagapathi Babu looks a wee bit outta place in this all star Avunu Vaalliddaru casting. Chakri has definitely given music much below his par as was the trend with humor in the flick. It's not yucky as in 2much or in Ammayilu Abbayilu but not nearly great.

And since this one had 2 seconds of real comedy, I gave it two stars.