Jenda Pai Kapiraju Review

Behind the Movie Jenda Pai Kapiraju: Hero Nani got two of his films released on the same day. One is 'Yevade Subramanyam' and the other is long dued 'Jenda Pai Kapiraju' in Samuthirakhani direction with Amala Paul as heroine. Let us see, what this film is all about?

In the Movie Jenda Pai Kapiraju: Story begins with introduction to software professional Aravind Shankar (Nani), a spirited youngman bought up in an ashram where moral values are highly preached to lead a principled life in society. However, the realistic society is different and Aravind finds it difficult to mingle with. Indumathi (Amala Paul) impressed by attitude of Aravind starts liking him but desires to see a change for better living. Being a responsible citizen, Aravind's sincerity pulls him to court by a corrupt Traffic Constable (Prudhviraj) filing several cases. Here Aravind decides to cleanse the society by bringing corrupt government officers on to the trial with support of friend (Vennela Kishore) and like minded media people. Everything goes as per plan filing 147 cases on bribe taking officers. A sudden twist comes when these antagonists headed by Minister form a group to counter attack Aravind brings in a look alike Maya Kannan (Nani) into the scene. Who is Maya Kannan and what is his character? Has Aravind won or lost in the battle? What is the role of special CBI officer (Sarath Kumar)? All these form rest.

Values of the Movie Jenda Pai Kapiraju: Director Samuthirakhani is just second to Shankar in offering strong message oriented films. His lofty ideals and vision for a clean society are yet again preached with exaggeration here. The story isn't new but the sincerity in designing the protagonist character is impressive. His intentions to voice for a change are honest. However, addition of extra commercial elements such as love, songs and unncessary action episodes diluted the overall script essence. His direction meanders through many ups and downs before reaching the final portions dramatically. Dialogues by Sashank Vennalakanti are crude and hard hitting. Camera work of Sukumar Jeevan is good. Fazil's editing needed more sharpness to imbibe keenness into narrative. There are plenty of portions in second half to be trimmed. Music by GV Prakash isn't too good of a work of his caliber. BGM is a bit better. Production values of Multidimension and Rajith Parthasaradhi are fine.

On performance front, Nani is a definite show stealer. The honesty in Aravind character pinches us and at the same time cunningness in Maya Kannan is a superb contrast. May be for the first time, Nani got a chance to mouth intense powerful dialogues. He does it convincingly. However, the romantic track with Amala Paul isn't convincing. All in all, Nani is full of energy and flamboyance in the dual role. Amala Paul hasn't got anything substance to perform. Ragini Dwivedi is restricted to couple of scenes and a song. Sarath Kumar is energetic while Shiva Balaji is firing as TV journalist. Comedy by Vennela Kishore was bearable. Nasser, Chandra Mohan, Tanikella, Dhanraj struck to their portions.

Out of the Movie Jenda Pai Kapiraju: After watching bundles of stuff on corruption and how protagonist repels against the system in differently narrated Telugu, Tamil films, still Samuthirakhani believes there is a new interpretation. Jenda although starts on intersting note with superb writing and neatly etched characters, it becomes over dramatic as narration progresses. In fact, Samuthirakhani lost the steam by supplementing unnecessary commercial ingredients and the second half doesn’t live up to the pace of first. The best in Nani and director Samuthirakhani comes out in court and police station scenes. Later the melodrama and climax action proved troublesome. For Nani, this is a perfect author backed role where he got enough scope to excel. As Maya Kannan, he steals the second half with rough and tough characterization. However, his transformation is again cinematically unjustified.

Despite the final results, Nani needs all appreciations for selecting wide range of characters from Aravind, Maya Kannan in JPK to a self exploring entrepreneur Subbu in Yevade Subramanyam. As an actor, he isn't failing. Commercially, JPK might cater the demands of audience in B & C centers. Overall, it is worth watching one time if you have time to burn.

Cinejosh Verdict of Jenda Pai Kapiraju: Nani Revolts on Corrupt

Cinejosh Rating: 2.5/5.0

Reviewed by Srivaas