Sankranthiki Vasthunam Review

Anil Ravipudi's signature style - light-hearted storytelling that asks you to set aside logic and enjoy the ride - returns with Sankranthiki Vasthunam. Known for his successes with Supreme, Raja The Great, F2, F3: Fun And Frustration and Sarileru Neekevvaru, Ravipudi this time too sticks to his tried-and-true formula of drama and a dose of comedic chaos, in Sankranthiki Vasthunnam.

A renowned American techie Satya Akella (Srinivas Avasarala) is kidnapped soon after coming to India. The case lands in the hands of top cop Meenakshi (Meenakshi Chaudhary), who ropes in her ex-lover and former cop, ACP Y D Raju (Venkatesh), for assistance. Adding to the dynamic, Raju's loving-yet-suspicious wife, Bhagyalakshmi (Aishwarya Rajesh), insists on joining the mission. The story follows this unconventional trio as they navigate unexpected challenges and solve the case.

The first half hooks you with its light-hearted comedy and dynamic character interactions. While some comedy acts land well - such as the child artist Revanth's behaviour towards the elders - others lean heavily on outdated tropes. The humour, though decent in parts, rarely pushes boundaries or feels fresh.

The second half, however, falters. The "Papa Bhai" subplot, featuring a chaotic ensemble of supporting characters, takes absurdity to new heights and lacks the sharp writing needed to sustain its comedic ambitions. Instead of eliciting laughter, it often invites frustration.

As the story nears its conclusion, another "teacher" subplot drops in. This bit is boringly preachy and doesn't suit the movie in any sensible way. It was perhaps shoehorned to deliver a moral message like those in the previous Ravipudi movies. It feels jarring and disrupts the film's already wobbly rhythm.

Venkatesh plays it safe, offering a performance firmly within his comfort zone. While his comic timing occasionally shines, the role doesn't demand or deliver anything memorable. Aishwarya Rajesh and Meenakshi Chaudhary meet expectations, navigating their characters with skill, even if their pairing with Venkatesh raises questions about age-appropriate casting - a glaring issue in Indian cinema.

Srinivas Avasarala, despite his pivotal double role, is underutilized, and his performances - one as a techie and another as an auto driver - are unlikely to leave a mark, even if the auto driver portrayal is funnier.

The child artist Revanth injects occasional humour. Senior actor Naresh, cast as the Chief Minister, is reduced to a generic caricature. Upendra Limaye overacts to the point of distraction, further diluting the impact of the narrative.

V T V Ganesh brings much fun throughout the movie. He doesn't get much to say, but his subtle mannerisms and soft utterances are hilarious.

Bheems Ceciroleo's music, an early hit during the promotional phase, serves its purpose but doesn't elevate the storytelling. The songs are entertaining but lack replay value, while the background score feels formulaic and uninspired.

Sameer Reddy's cinematography is competent, capturing the vibrant energy of the festival backdrop but falling short of creating a lasting visual impression. The editing by Tammiraju is inconsistent, leaving room for tighter pacing, especially in the chaotic second half.

The writing, the film's backbone, is uneven. While Ravipudi delivers the occasional laugh, the lack of originality and reliance on stale tropes hold the film back from achieving its potential.

Sankranthiki Vasthunnam is a template festive entertainer that works best when watched with lowered expectations. The movie is incoherent, farcical, over-the-top and slapsticky, yet moderately entertaining. The first half offers enough laughs to keep family audiences engaged, but the second half struggles to maintain the momentum. If you're looking for a light-hearted comedy to enjoy with family this Sankranthi, this might just suffice.