TELUGU FILM RUDHRAMA DEVI

I saw the Telugu feature film Rudhrama Devi, on screen 4, sitting in seat J-6 in Sri Kanya Cine Max cinema complex in Narsipatnam on 11 October, 2015, from 2:15 pm to 4:50 pm. Gunasekhar directed it.

Anusksha Shetty played the role of Rudhrama Devi, the princess in Kakatiya dynasty of 14^th century. The main cast of this film is given below.

Anushka Shetty as Rudrama Devi

Ulka Gupta as Rudrama Devi (Childhood)

Allu Arjun as Gona Ganna Reddy

Rana Daggubati as Chalukya Veerabhadra

Vikramjeet Virk as Mahadeva Nayakudu

Prakash Raj as Shiva Devaiah

Krishnam Raju as Ganapati Devudu

Suman as Hari Hara Devudu

Adithya Menon as Murari Devudu

Nithya Menen as Muktamba

Aditi Chengappa as Ganalamba

Catherine Tresa as Annambika

Hamsa Nandini as Madanika

Ajay as Prasadaditya

Baba Sehgal as Naga Devudu

Raza Murad as Singanna

Guna Sekhar made a classic film utilizing these great performers and other admirable crew like maestro Ilayaraja. He takes us into the 14^th century with awesome royal buildings and scenes of those days. He used graphics here and there to symbolize certain occurrences of those days.

Four songs in this film are mesmerizing.

1. Avuna Neevena Ne Vedhukutunna

2. Punnami Poovai Vikasisthunna (masterpiece)

3. Allakallolamai Desam

4. Anthapuramlo Andala Chilaka

The beauty and performance of Anushka Shetty is amazing in this film. I don’t think even actual Rudhrama Devi would have appeared so elegant, royal and imposing in the 14^th century. Her gait, the royal expressions in her face…I saw an admirable prince, princess and warrior in her throughout this film. She looks like an angel of beauty in many scenes in this film. She appeared and acted wonderfully in the songs and in all the court scenes. I give 100 marks for 100 for her appearance and acting in this film. Her character haunts admirers of beauty and royalty. Gunasekhar presented her character in a divine manner.

Allu Arjun enthralls us like anything with his typical look, dialogues, acting and fighting scenes. After Rudhrama Devi, his character mesmerizes us throughout the film. He acted extraordinarily.

I believe there is nobody to compete with Rana in terms of height and imposing physique in Telugu film industry now. He attracts us tremendously with his admirable character and outstanding acting skills.

Prakash Raj did cent percent justice to his role as a loyal and intelligent minister in the court.

The role of Krishnam Raju is rather passive throughout the film. He could not impress me much.

Nitya and Catherine are honeypots in this film. Their beauty and acting entices us.

Ajay got the image of a villain in our hearts considering the roles he played earlier in many films. He looks lovable and admirable as a loyal royal figure in this film, defending the virtuous rulers.

I compare the beauty and acting of Ulka Gupta to that of Anushka Shetty in this film. Her face is so charming that I saw an arresting beauty in her. She is an exceptional beauty to suit this role aptly.

It looks monotonous to use adjectives of appreciation like extraordinary, awesome, splendid, describing somebody or something but this film has all such qualities. We cannot use ordinary words.

Gunasekhar took me into a fantastic world of the past where royalty and creativity flourish. It seems he struggled for perfection in representing the attire, culture and scenario of the 14^th century. Every scene in this film absorbs us. It is the greatness of art directors that worked for this classic film.

Photography and choreography are admirable and memorable.

The music of Ilayaraja is divine.

The songs written by Sirinvennela Sita Rama Sastry are outstanding. As a lyricist of many classic songs, he has been surprising us since the era of classic films like Sirivennela. He added his marvelous beauty of creativity and royalty to this creative piece of many wonders and thrills throughout.

I have no concern for actual and perfect history because history is always a high story of some lies and many truths. The exclusivity of a director depends on how he/she narrated and portrayed a great story. Gunasekhar gets 90 marks for 100 for this film from this perspective. The voice of the singer for the first song in this film did not suit the royal appeal of this great film. Another song is also not that good. Five marks are deducted for choosing such singers for these songs.

We cannot feel the grandeur of this film reading about it or being told by our friends. It is something to be seen, listened to, imagined and sensed by ourselves. It is a feast to our eyes and ears of imagination.

I did not like the idea of Gunasekhar bringing Chiranjeevi to provide voice over for this film. Chiranjeevi was good actor before the episode of Praja Rajyam. Thereafter he lost that good image as an actor and invidividual. I developed much aversion for him considering his character exhibited during his period as a politician. He talked rubbish representing his party and Congress later just like many filthy and shameless politicians now. He does not appear as Tagore or Stallin in his real life now but a hypocrite and businessman. Gunasekhar committed a blunder adding the voice of Chiranjeevi to this classic film. The great days of Chiranjeevi were over about eight years ago. I am deducting five marks for this error.

My special appreciation, love and admiration go for Anushka Shetty for having appeared and acted marvelously in this film throughout. Rana was lucky enough to play some scenes of romance with her in this film. I too like to play such role with Anushka but my domain of earthly existence is different from this sphere. My kisses and hugs to excellent Indian beauty Anushka for her enthralling beauty and fascinating performance in this film. This much I can write.

Saaho Guna Sekhar. You have challenged the directors of the world, making this classic film. I felt as if I was watching a classic dream while in cinema, watching this film. You are a dreamer. You have drawn your dream on silver screen with great talent, passion and imagination. We are proud of you.