Mouna Ragam Movie Review

Behind the Movie Mouna Ragam: Sri Saideva Productions is a banner known for family entertainers like Shubhakankshalu, Vasantham and Aadvaari Maatalaku. Keeping their regular team of artists viz Venkatesh and Jagapathi Babu away, they have picked up young lot Taneesh, Madhurima and Suhasini for this flick which has music supplied by melodious Music Director SA Raj Kumar. Let us see, is this Mouna Ragam their regular runoff the mill.

In the Movie Mouna Ragam: Chandu (Taneesh) and Kaveri (Suhasini) are child hood Baavaa Maradallu where in Chandu keeps his life at bay for the studies and well being of Kaveri. Whatever he earns is all spent on Kaveri expecting to marry her as soon as she completes her studies. In this mean time, Chandu will come into friendship with Sandhya (Madhurima). No twists, its direct…Kaveri finishes her studies and marries an educated rather than illiterate Chandu.

As a failed lover, Chandu attempts to go for a suicide but saved by Sandhya. Now, it is the time for Sandhya’s flash back. Sandhya is a final year Automobile Engineering student and is a daughter of rich businessman Vishwnatham (Chandramohan). Sandhya is the lust of her classmate Goutham (Kamesh), son of again a businessman Ranga Rao (Prasad Babu). Sandhya’s dream is to design a two wheeler automobile affordable for middle class. During the time when Sandhya is soon to fulfill her dreams, father Vishwanatham is dead unable to bear the mental agony due to fraud by his partners in the business. Obviously Sandhya is even cheated by her lover Goutham and his father.

Now, Sandhya and Chandu are traveling on the same boat cheated by their near and dear and are failed in their lives. They want to prove the world a point about success. How they helped each other? How did they teach their enemies a lesson? Was Sandhya able to succeed in her dream project? What are the twists and turns involved? form rest of the movie.

Values of the Movie Mouna Ragam:  Story wise, it is impressive for family audience. Coming to presentation on the screen, there was not enough of depth in characterizations and movie lacked in every aspect starting from the first scene.  Director Vijay Balaji’s inability in handling the melodrama was clearly visible. Audience would be able to understand the story but director pulled it as a mechanical product without offering a soul. Even there was no richness in the movie and it was made fairly on a low budget. Music by SA Raj Kumar was nothing special except a song or two. Dialogues by Chintapalli Ramana offered a sort of relief. Editing by Goutham Raju was fair. Camerawork by Shaman Mitru was below average as there was not even a single visual wonder in entire movie. Production values by NV Prasad and Shanam Naga Ashok Kumar are sub standard.

Performance wise Taneesh pulled out a role which would be actually a cake walk for Victory Venkatesh. Audiences have seen Venkatesh enough in these kinds of roles where an illiterate grows onto become a successful man only by his humanity. Movies like Raja, Suryavansham, Vasantham, Aadavaari Maatalaku…are enough examples to serve as a text book for Taneesh. He performed enough to get recognized as a soft hearted hero but emotional wise, dialogue wise he still has to work hard. In few of the scenes, he really lacked the confidence. Best part of the movie was heroine Madhurima. She has beautiful body, shining face with enough freshness. Given a right opportunity, Madhurima sure will take her stake among glamorous heroines. Second heroine Suhasini doesn’t get her share in the movie as her screen time is less. Nalla Venu as a friend to Taneesh has done well and his comedy with Master Bharath was good. Chandramohan, Prasad Babu, Kamesh, MS Narayana, Kashi Vishwanath, Ali as Guitar Babu, AVS as Budabukkala Bangarraju are just okay. 

Out of the Movie Mouna Ragam: Formula of this movie is tested hundreds of times on Telugu screen and that too many a times by this same banner. What is that  novel point which really pulled these producers towards making this venture will be a 100% meaningful question. First half of the movie was tried to entertain the audience and offering the first key point in the story. Second half is again regular with no excitement. From the first scene till the last scene, even an amateur movie buff can expect what is going to happen next.  Except Madhurima, everything is on negative side for the movie. Sorry to call this, but ‘Mouna Ragam’ is less exciting than a regular daily TV serial in Gemini TV.

Cinejosh Verdict of the Movie Mouna Ragam: This is Mouna ‘Rodam’



                                                                                                                           Reviewed by Srivaas