Purushothamudu Review

Raj Tarun, with over 50 short films to his credit, is a prominent star in his niche and has been thriving there. However, his transition from short films to the big screen is proving to be challenging. The lack of industry backing, a lacklustre promotional campaign and his recent personal controversies may affect the success of his latest movie too.

Set in a quaint village, Purushothamudu follows the story of Rachit Ram (Raj Tarun), also known as Ramu. A humble yet courageous young man and the prospective heir and CEO of the PR Group, Ramu returns from London with a unique challenge ahead. According to the company's by-laws, to become the CEO, he must live incognito in an unfamiliar place for 100 days with not even the company's employees discovering his identity, maintaining a facade of ordinariness and avoiding any behaviour that could be deemed improper.

After Ramu leaves his palatial home in Hyderabad with just a pair of trousers and a shirt to live a humble life incognito in a village near Rajahmundry, the movie stays passable until the interval. It features a light-hearted, comedic introduction to village life, sprinkled with romance, giving the first half a somewhat festive feel. However, it becomes clichéd thereafter. The entry of antagonists aiming to disrupt his incognito living should have marked a significant tonal shift, adding depth and intensity to the story. Instead, the plot weaves through various elements - family emotions, love life and action sequences - culminating in a climax where the audience is more focused on the exit doors than on the hero's triumph.

The film's biggest hurdle is its wafer-thin and ludicrous plot. The story feels fictitious and fails to connect with the audience right from the outset. It attempts to blend time-tested commercial elements with fresh story-telling techniques. It bears some resemblance to Mahesh Babu's Srimanthudu and Maharshi in terms of its rural backdrop and the hero's journey, but fails to stand out due to Raj Tarun's mediocre acting and screen presence, and a weak plot.

Several aspects hinder Tarun's performance. Director Bhimana tries to showcase Tarun as a rustic village boy and valorous saviour, but the latter's portrayal of the everyman with heroic qualities fails to resonate. He appears neither relatable nor aspirational. Prakash Raj's cameo and Ramya Krishnan's extended cameo provide some much-needed respite to this otherwise TV-serial-like film.

From a technical standpoint, the cinematography is excellent. The stunning visuals capture the essence of village life and lush landscapes, bringing a touch of brilliance to an otherwise dull movie. The sweeping expanses of vast unending floral fields are a spectacle to behold. The use of wide shots to depict the serene landscape and the tight frames during action scenes creates a dynamic viewing experience. The production values are in general high - the film looks polished on the surface, with noticeable attention to detail in set design and costume.

Gopi Sundar's soundtrack, while not groundbreaking, provides an adequate emotional backdrop for the film. The music complements the narrative, even if the narrative itself is lacking. The songs are enjoyable, and Shankar Mahadevan and Kailash Kher deliver wonderful voices.

Overall, Purushothamudu is a wannabe wholesome family entertainer that tries to cater to a wide audience spectrum, like a potluck dinner - there's something for everyone, be it comedy, romance, action or drama. But it doesn't make the cut to be a full-blown entertainer. You might be better off waiting for it to stream on OTT.