Vamsoddharakudu Review

When M S Reddy, who made Ramayana, and T Subbarami Reddy, the producer of Bhagavad Gita, came together for a joint venture, we got Vamsoddharakudu. And guess what? This one is absolutely for the frontbenchers - it's pure masala. Balakrishna's presence is there right from the first scene. From barging into the frame on a motorcycle to bashing up the baddies like a bull in a China shop, and from slapping one heroine to hitting the other with a tennis ball, he makes a colorful and rancorous journey to the climax.

Balakrishna plays the high voltage role of Suryam, whose mother Varalakshmi (Radhika) has been deserted by his father G V K Raju (Krishnam Raju) while he was still in the womb. He earns the affection of his father without disclosing his identity, and finally unites his parents after an explosive climax. I say 'explosive' with purpose - a lot of jeeps and vans explode in the air. Finally, however, Suryam manages to establish himself as the worthy son of his father.

Satya Bhama (Ramyakrishna) falls prey to the villians' bullets in the end, thereby clearing the way for Suryam and Surekha (Saakshi Sivanand). While she carries the 'sacrificing' role with ease, her juxtaposition with tender-looking Saakshi betrays the aging heroine in her. On the other hand, Mumbai girl Saakshi pales amidst the accomplished artistes in the film.

Senior cameraman V S R Swamy, after a long hibernation, unleashes the power of his lens with panoramic scenes and interesting backdrops during song sequences. Koti comes out with a couple of titillating numbers like Dole Dole, picturised in a more thrilling way by director Sarath. The director managed to salvage his image to some extent with this film, after delivering a dud in Sultan.

Charanraj as Raju's scheming brother-in-law fits his role, while Giribabu gives a 'deadly' performance in the unearthly character of a dying police officer that repents his misdeeds. Even as the main story revolves around Raju and his family, the cosmic sub-plot involving his 'aswa dalapathi' Babu Mohan, his two wives and their look-alike sons, both played by Brahmanandam, provides some crude and rustic comedy.