Rating: 3/5
Banner: Sri Sai Ganesh Productions Pvt. Ltd.
Starring: Venkatesh, Anushka, Richa Gangopadhyaya, Shraddha Das, Kamalinee Mukherjee, Sarath Babu, Prabha, Ananth Nag, Brahmanandam, Dhramavarapu, Poonam Kaur and others
Music: Guru Kiran
Cinematographer: Shyam K Naidu
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh
Dialogue: Paruchuri Brothers
Art: Chinna
Producer: Bellamkonda Suresh
Story, Screenplay, Direction: P. Vasu
Victory Venkatesh is into his twenty fifth year as an actor. Nagavalli is his first movie in his Silver Jubilee year. Hence, Nagavalli review is the much awaited and it being a sequel to Chandramukhi adds to the expectations. So let’s uncover Nagavalli movie review.
Story:
Psychiatrist Vijay (Venkatesh) comes to solve the problems in a haunted house. That house is said to be haunted by the spirit of Chandramukhi aka Nagavalli (Anushka). One of the girls in that house (Richa, Shraddha, Kamalinee) is possessed by Chadramukhi’s spirit and Vijay has to know who it is and find a solution to it. There is Chandramukhi’s story in a separate flashback sequence where a cruel king Raja Naga Bhairava Rajasekhara (Venkatesh duel role) falls in love with Chandramukhi who is already in love with someone. Naga Bhairava kills Chandramukhi and her lover and Chandramukhi’s soul seeks revenge. Rest of the story is about how she avenges her death and how Vijay solves all the problems.
Analysis:
Nagavalli is publicized as the sequel to Chandramukhi, which is a huge hit in Tamil and Telugu. Hence, director introduced Venkatesh’s character in this film as an assistant to Rajinikanth’s character in Chandramukhi film. The story and screenplay of Nagavalli is strikingly similar to Chandramukhi. Even the dialogue and song concepts too remind you of it. However, the flashback part of Nagavalli is told in an elaborate way unlike in Chandramukhi film. There is a twist in the tale towards the end and also there is a suspense element about who is the possessed girl. Barring these two changes everything in Nagavalli is just a rehash of Chandramukhi film with a different star cast.
Even the suspense element could be guessed by many as the director didn’t involve that girl’s character in the story all through the film until the secret is revealed. First half of the film is passable with few unfunny comedy scenes and uninspiring songs. In the first hour the film works only in parts. Second half gains momentum as the story starts to unravel. Flashback part is strictly Okay without any surprises. Towards the climax director starts to uncover all the details in a hurried manner. This part is full of explanations and logics. Climax looked out of the place with Venkatesh (with a weird makeup) and Anushka fighting amidst a tornado effect (absolutely not required).
Film ends on a predictable note and audiences leave the theatres wondering if this is a sequel to Chandramukhi or a remake of it!
Performances:
Venkatesh is fine in the psychiatrist role. He tried his best to look cruel as the King. However, Venkatesh doesn’t look like a villain even when he does evil deeds! He has another surprise getup in this film which is annoying at the best. He is fifty already and it is clearly visible on his face. Even his dances lacked those energy levels of the past. Venkatesh has no heroine and duets in this film and that is a welcome change.
Anushka too is lacking that majestic appeal that helped her to carry of a powerful role in Arundhati. Age factor started to affect Anushka too! Her classical dances are a pain to watch. Kamalinee performed and danced better than Anushka. Richa Gangopadhyaya got into action towards the end and she did an average job. Shradha Das is apt. Poonam Kaur has an insignificant role. Brahmanandam’s comedy act hardly tickles you. Dharmavarapu’s role is an imitation of Vadivelu’s in Chandramukhi. He is good. Ananth Nag, Sarath Babu and Prabha are believable.
Technicalities:
A Paruchuri Brothers dialogue hardly leaves a mark. Guru Kiran’s music is lacking nativity. Background score is fine though. Shyam K Nadu did his best within his limitations. Art work is not bad. Editing is neat. Production values are standard. Despite having a star of Venkatesh’s caliber, the film is made with a limited budget and it is evident on the screen.
P. Vasu’s taking style and screenplay is caught in eighties. The first and last songs in this film are an example of how much outdates the director is. P. Vasu tried to repeat Chandramukhi’s magic with Nagavalli but sadly couldn’t. The script has too many holes and the climax sequences are a let down. The last half an hour of Chandramukhi worked big time due to the scariness and tight screenplay. Nagavalli lacks all those nail biting and edge of the seat moments.
Plus Points:
- Venkatesh factor
- Attractive publicity
Minus points:
- So many loose ends
- Poor climax
Final Word:
Nagavalli movie should work in the commercial aspect as the film is made with a limited budget. But it fails to impress with its content. If not for Venkatesh, this movie can be avoided as there is always an option to watch Chandramukhi again on DVD.
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