Cast: Naga Shaurya, Niharika Konidela, Rao Ramesh, Krishna Bhagavan, Srinivas Avasarala, Venela Kishore, Pragathi, Raja Ravindra, RJ Hemanth
Banner: Madhura Entertainment & TV9
Music: Sunil Kashyap
Editor: Dharmendar
Cinematography: Ram Reddy
Producers: Madhura Sreedhar, Dr Krishna Bhatta, A Abhinay
Story-Screenplay-Direction: Ramaraju
Tagline: Beautiful, Poetic and Philosophical Love Story – Impressive debut by Niharika
Plot:
Surya (Naga Shaurya), an aspiring politician and Sandhya (Niharika Konidela), a medico fall in love. Though their ideologies are different, they choose to live together. But a small political settlement puts Surya’s life at stake demanding him to choose between Sandhya and his father. What did Surya choose and how did their love story end forms the rest of the story.
Performances:
Talking about performances, the first name to mention is
Niharika Konidela: This is unarguably an impressive debut from this talented actress. Niharika plays a character that is diametrically opposite to what she did before both in short films and television and she does that with close to perfection. She is cute, homely, intense and brilliant. Passed off her debut with distinction!
Naga Shaurya: This natural actor was equally impressive in the film. He strikes a sparkling chemistry with Niharika.
The rest of the cast including Rao Ramesh, Srinivas Avasarala, Pragathi, Raja Ravindra & others do justice to their roles.
RJ Hemanth & Vennela Kishore are a pleasant surprise in the film. But Hemanth gets a meaty role in the film.
Analysis:
“Someone said anything beautiful is rare” – the love portrayed in this film belongs here.
Filmmaker Ramaraju poetically blends love, romance, philosophy and carved Oka Manasu. Set in a small town between ordinary characters and conflicts, the film has an extraordinary definition of love, exploring the nuances of being in love and reality.
Brilliant performances, arresting visuals and back ground score help you experience the saga. However, technically the narrative falls prey to the overdose of its own core ideology and the staging takes a toss. If you are looking for some pre-interval twists, intensifying conflicts (or at least thinking of some comedy even in your wildest dreams)…please wake up! The first half is racy and feels good yet the second half might test your patience.
However, at the end of the film, Ramaraju’s characters and intent stays with you. Again, it is like an old gramophone record – you’ll enjoy only if you have an itch for it.
Merits:
- Story
- Characters and performances especially of Niharika & Naga Shaurya
- Dialogues
- Cinematography
- Music and back ground score
De-merits:
- Screenplay especially in the second half.
- Lack of regular commercial ingredients might disappoint the masses.
Music:
Sunil Kashyap’s music and back ground score are simply brilliant and completely wraps you up through the film. Wish this talented technician goes places.
Others:
Production design is top-notch!
Verdict:
Oka Manasu is a beautiful, poetic and philosophical film that certainly deserves a watch. However not a contemporary love story and may not appeal to the Xgen youth. Just like a gramophone record…will enjoy only if you have an itch for it.
Avg User Rating: 3.5/5
