Dwaraka Movie Review

Dwaraka Movie Review, What’s Behind: This is Vijay Devarakonda’s immediate outing after Pellichoopulu directed by debutant MSR and produced on popular banner Super Good Films. Let’s see, what’s the film is all about?

Dwaraka Story: Erra Seenu (Vijay Devarakonda) and his friends earn their livelihood from petty thefts. Escaping from a temple while stealing Lord Krishna idol, Erra Seenu gets struck on the terrace of Dwaraka Apartments only to wake up in the morning wherein spiritual guru Guru Murthy (30 Years Prudhvi) proclaims Erra Seenu as Sri Krishnananda Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Krishna. Devotees strike Dwaraka in thousands making Krishnananda Swamy famous. Very soon, criminal lawyer Ravi (Kalakeya Prabhakar) along with politician China Babu and a police officer form into a team establishing a trust on Swamy’s name to loot the donations and offerings made in crores by devotees under the guidance of Minister (Raghu Babu). In parallel, Erra Seenu falls in love with beautiful girl Vasudha (Pooja Jhaveri). What are the sacrifices Erra Seenu did to win his love and how an atheist, rationalist Chaitanya (Murali Sharma), Chief Minister (Prakash Raj) helped forms the rest.

Dwaraka Artists and Technicians: Content wise debutant MSR picked a contemporary storyline transacting on fake god men, ashrams, trust boards, politicians; above all the blind faith and helplessness of common people who always depend on magic rather than logic. Crux of the story discussed a valid point on existence Vs non-existence of god and humanity. Some of the scenes MSR designed like charity for treatment of a cancer patient and powerless Baba failing to recuperate a child’s heart disease leading to death are heart touching. MSR seems to have done the needful research on pros and cons of so called Babas and their charity activities. However, his screenplay wasn’t meritorious. Crucial striking aspects come to discussion only at late hour after spoiling most of screen time on love track and hurdles posed from antagonist group. As a director, MSR could have avoided unnecessary commerciality crept in spoiling the overall flavor. Shyam K Naidu’s camera work made the film visually rich looking despite production standards are clearly shoe-string. Prawin Pudi’s editing required lot more sharpness. Sai Karthik scored a couple of catchy tunes like ‘Bhajare, Entha Chithram’ and BGM too is effective. Production standards from Super Good Movies and Legend Cinema are appreciable.

Onto performances, after the boy next door naturalistic portrayal characters in Yevade Subramanyam and Pellichoopulu, this isn’t the cup of tea for Vijay Devarakonda. Though fumbled here are there with diction, he tried to remain sincere throughout. Never again, Vijay should try his hand at main stream commercial cinema. Pooja Jhaveri is beautiful and indulged in two lip locks. Murali Sharma is the best bet. Every dialogue spelled by him had loads of valued rationality. Prakash Raj although comes late, his presence is very much justified. Prudhvi as spiritual Guru is an apt selection. Kalakeya Prabhakar is one weak link in antagonism along with police character by Jackie and politician role by Prabhu. From hero’s friends batch Shakalaka Shankar, Sudarshan and Naveen evoked few laughs. Rest like Uttej and others may not need big mention.

Dwaraka Advantages:

- Unique Story

- Last 30 Minutes

- Camera Work

- Music

- Murali Sharma, Prakash Raj

Dwaraka Drawbacks:

- Screenplay

- Boredom In Parts

- Runtime

- Slow Narration

Dwaraka Rating Analysis: Dwaraka is more of a reflection of our own society dominated by blind beliefs followed by people letting themselves before fake Godmen to exploit and loot. Rational thinking, logical interpretation, scientific questioning have to be inculcated into the minds of common public but in a country where orthodoxy prevails, automatically our weaknesses are highlighted. Films like Oh My God (remade as Gopala Gopala) preached the same but Dwaraka misses on strong conviction. Instead of going on commercial treatment format, such concepts need dark and gritty approach to penetrate more. So, the question and blame directly shifts onto director and producer on why is this narrative style adopted.

Initiating the proceedings with Vijay Devarakonda and batch as petty thieves, directly we get into the plot of his evolving as Krishnananda Swamy wherein believability went for a toss. Later on love scenes with Pooja Jhaveri were also faintly written. How Krishnananda Swamy grows popular missed in thought. Prudhvi consolidated on Krishnananda Swamy’s weaknesses. Towards interval, Swamy puts everyone in lock with his revelations before media.

Into second half, pace of narration slows down with in-and-out heroism from Vijay. In the process, he wins Pooja’s love and villains begin to play their tricks. Commencing the charity activities and huge flow of funds from corporate, Government uncovered the shortcomings in present day society. Murali Sharma, Prakash Raj added high value to the last 30 minutes taking film to next level. Though pre climax is inadequate, climax is a better work.

Finally, Dwaraka is a straight forward film with exceptional content missed spark in execution. Despite screenplay flaws, phenomenal artists like Murali Sharma, PR stabilized the narrative. CJ goes for 2.5 stars holding on how audiences receive Vijay Devarakonda in a new avatar.

Dwaraka Cinejosh Verdict: Good Content – Bad Execution

                                                     Dwaraka Cinejosh Rating: 2.5/5.0

                                                                                   Reviewed by Srivaas