Dhamarukam Review

Behind the Movie Dhamarukam: Financial hurdles, Extensive graphics, the concept of Socio Fantasy, starring of Nagarjuna and Anushka, music of Devi Sri Prasad, the banner of RR Movie Makers...everything about 'Dhamarukam' has been so special till the day of release. Let us see, how far the movie was able to withstand the huge publicity and anxiety of audience?

In the Movie Dhamarukam: Death of all the Rakshasas or Demons in the hands of various forms of our Hindu Gods leave only one evil Andaka Asura (Ravi Shankar) and his supporter Maayi (Jeeva) surviving on this planet of Earth. To bring back the glory of Rakshasa Kingdom, Anadaka Asura waits for the time of Pancha Graha Kutami. The girl Maheshwari (Anushka) born on this celestial occasion will be the key for Anadaka Asura to win over Pancha Bhoothas. On a special day of Solar Eclipse, Anadaka Asura has to marry Maheshwari and give her as 'Nara Bali' to get hold on entire Planetary system. In the process, Andaka Asura also wins a boon from Lord Shiva (Prakashraj) to face no obstacles from Gods.

At the same time, Mallikarjun aka Malli (Nagarjuna) is born with the blessings of Lord Shiva is accomplished with the task of demolishing Andaka Asura. How did Lord Shiva appear on Earth in the form of Sambayya to help his disciple Malli? How Malli saves Maheshwari from the iron hands of Andaka Asura? How did Aghoras help Malli? All these form the rest.

Values of the Movie Damarukam: The very innovative point in the thinking of story writer Veligonda Srinivas is to bring the concept of Rakshasas back on Earth. However, everything is done for the sake of 'Loka Kalyanam' and director Srinivas Reddy has fulfilled it with semi-perfection. The way he handled screenplay and direction in second half will leave us with an amazing experience. At the same time, right mix of CG effects from Firefly enhanced the output. More than all, Srinivas Reddy seems to have a strong hold on Telugu literature. The language he used for penning the dialogues of Andaka Asura reminds us the Janapadam times of NTR and Vithalacharya. However, missing of strong emotional connectivity is the big draw back to hold the entire concept together. Cinematography of Chota K Naidu and editing of Gowtham Raju were just traditional following the basics. Music of Devi Sri Prasad was simply superb in composition of songs. Of course, the same are presented extremely well on screen. Especially, the climax song on Aghoras was hair rising. Production values of R. Venkat and RR Movie Makers are just top notch.

Performance wise, more than Nagarjuna it is Ravi Shankar who has stolen the show. Of course,  Nag is the hero and we need to give major credits for him in the starcast. Obviously, Nag walked through the character of Malli with tremendous ease. His physical workouts are seen in the form of six packs during climax. His chemistry with Anushka as usual worked lively. Anushka was gorgeous and serene. Ravi Shankar is just eye popping. His resounding voice and beastly attire are frightening. Snakes created on his head are one of the best graphics part in the movie. Ganesh Venkatraman, who holds the soul of Andaka Asura in major portion of second half has also offered a terrible performance. Jeeva as Maayi was also scary. Prakashraj as Lord Shiva was into a different role resembling the shades of Akshay Kumar in 'Oh My God.' Of the reamining, comedy by Brahmanandam, Krishna Bhagawan, MS Narayana, Raghu Babu, Duvvasi Mohan was partially entertaining. Item song of Sakku Bhai with Charmi is also spicy. 

Out of the Movie Dhamarukam:  Concepts of Good Vs Bad and the Savior of World are generations old. Director Srinivas Reddy and RR Movie Makers should be called really Brave in attempting such high budget after witnsessing the past disappointments like 'Anji' or 'Devi Putrudu.' However, 'Dhamarukam' is definitely a worth watch project for eye feast visuals and special CG effects from Firefly. Apparently, what makes this movie more special is dazzling narration of actual story in second half. No twists, no turns and no build up of excitement because story runs on known lines. Yet, Srinivas Reddy was able to make us sit comfortably till the very end titles. 

Episodes of Malli's family getting killed, introduction of Andaka Asura, Lord Shiva ordering the Nandi, Andaka Asura for the first time watching Maheshwari bathing in Temple Pond, Attack of Asuras on Maheshwari and Climax needed special mentioning. First half had some sort of routine Srinivas Reddy comedy. Actual story unfolds only before Interval and second half was captivating. Whatever the budget invested on movie by RR was evidently visible on screen.

For movies with any budget of above Rs.40 Crores, we expect some sort of 'Wow' factor to lift the movie from hit range to super hit and industry hit ranges. This 'Wow' and Amazing factor was completely missing in 'Dhamarukam' thus making it a routine run of the mill product.     

To me more clearer, 'Damarukam' is a satisfactory product for all types of audience. But commercial success range, the final market potentiality of Nag and these kind of projects will have to be wait and seen. 

Cinejosh Verdict of the Movie Dhamarukam: Good Movie with Weak & Old Concept.

                                                                           Reviewed by Srivaas