Cast: Balakrishna, Trisha, Radhika Apte, Prakash Raj, Chandra Mohan, Pradeep Rawat, M S Narayana
Music: Mani Sharma
Cinematography: Venkata Prasad
Editor: Gautham Raju
Banner: Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Cinema
Producer: Rudrapati Ramana Rao
Story-Direction: Satyadev
Tagline: Onetime watch for diehard fans!
Avg. User Rating: 2.75/5
Story-Direction: Satyadev
Tagline: Onetime watch for diehard fans!
Avg. User Rating: 2.75/5
Plot:
A person claiming to be Bose recovers from about one and half year coma. While his parents (Jayasudha & Chandra Mohan) identify him as their son Godse, Bose goes in pursuit of his original parents and eventually realizes his unaccomplished mission. Who is Bose alias Godse, what is his mission and how did he accomplish forms the rest of the story.
Performances:
Balakrishna: The Nandamuri Natasimham unleashed his best once again. He was as usually powerful with two contrasting shades. Fans might enjoy his dialogues as a CBI officer. Balayya Babu's élan in songs and action sequences is commendable but his makeover was mediocre and his dialogue delivery gets loud and monotonous at times.
Trisha & Radhika Apte: Trisha was relatively lucky enough to have got some additional dialogues and run time than Radhika Apte.
Prakash Raj: He plays an age old dummy villain in the film and the scenes between Balakrishna & Prakash only get loud & louder.
Ali & Posani: Their brief acts tickle you for a while and leave. You cannot expect much from them.
The rest of the cast including Sameer, Pradeep Rawat, Suresh, Aamani, Giri Babu, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Vijay Kumar did a decent job!
Direction:
Directing a star like Nandamuri Balakrishna is unarguable a hard toe to row for any director and Satyadeva is no exception. His intention to present Balakrishna in a different way is appreciable but the presentation lacked lustre, power and intensity. Legend is a film that showcased NBK to the fullest and when someone tries to attempt the same genre again, it needs to outshine it. But neither Satyadeva's plot nor his narrative had that wow factor. The film that started off with a hero in pursuit of his family, the truth in his past and his aborted mission sails off with age old conflict, extra loud dialogues, forced songs and mediocre action sequences. If there is something that can keep you engaged is Balayya's one man show.
By the way, we are in the 21st century with advanced plots and the audiences are smart enough to write potential and contemporary action thriller. At a such a juncture, Satyadeva tries to woo us with an insipid political drama that lacks contemporary treatment and absolutely zero emotional connect. Now forget about the characterization of the antagonist and certain dialogues that appear desperate enough for a rhyming without a proper punch and timing. Filmmakers of the 80s and 90s were much advanced, innovative and versatile enough.
But in the due course, thankfully he didn't get out of the world and stupid. NBK is unarguably the saviour of the film. And all you can find is director's actor Balayya, Balayya & Balayya with few dialogues, colorful songs garnished on it.
First Half: The film takes off on a mysterious note and Balayya's performance in this episode is laudable. Ali & Posani comedy gives you the much needed comedy relief.
Interval Bang: This is predictable and conveniently forced in. If you compare it with Legend, we are afraid, you can be disappointed!
Second Half: This was racy enough to pass off except for few unwanted songs. The last 15mins save the film from being a dud.
Merits:
- Balakrishna's all round performance.
- Trisha & Radhika Apte's glamor
- Ali & Posani brief comedy
- Decent Music
- Few dialogues with both punch and point strike the chord.
- Racy screenplay in the second half.
Demerits:
- Poor characterizations.
- Sluggish narrative, especially in the 1st half with no intensity and emotional connect.
- Disappointing back ground score.
Music:
Mani Sharma's tunes were decent enough with couple of catchy numbers and songs like Aisa Ambani pilla and the mass number were entertaining. Fans will enjoy Balayya's vigor and moves in the songs.
Others:
Nothing that deserves a special mention.
Verdict:
Lion is exclusively for you hardcore Nandamuri fans. Otherwise this is a 80s film made in 2015. Let's keep calm and cheer for the 99th film!
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