A Commercial Film driven by Content not Stars! But... 

Plot:

Satyam (Mohanlal) is a sensitive yet powerful man with a strong intent to help people under a single roof called ‘Janatha Garage’. He eventually emerges as the messiah of the masses developing Janatha Garage into a destination for people in trouble. Thereby, Satyam naturally earns foes like Mukesh (Sachin Khedekar) losing his own brother & family for his ideology. Feeling responsible for the loss, Satyam promises Suresh (Suresh) family to distance himself from his brother’s son Aanand (Jr NTR). But years later, Aanand who is a nature lover unknowingly ends up at ‘Janatha Garage’ under some serious circumstances. What led Aanand into the Janatha Garage and how did he lead Janatha Garage forms the crux of the story.

Performances:

Jr NTR: We know the “Young Tiger” as a powerhouse of energy and an exceptional actor. But Jr NTR delivers a subtle, balanced yet intense and powerful performance in the role of ‘Aanand’. Tarak’s dialogues throughout the film and the way he delivers them gives fans goosebumps. Fans will love his mesmerizing moves in the songs and Pakka Local deserves a special mention.

Mohanlal: He is yet another pillar of the film. If the film was any engaging, it was because of Mohan Lal too. His subtle and intense performance is a key asset of the film. In a way, it was Mohanlal and his track that engages you in the first half. His act was well-balanced in the second half too. It was indeed a delight to have him back in our Telugu cinema with a script like Janatha Garage.

Samantha & Nithya Menen play brief yet key roles in the film (guess “cameo” would be a better word). Couple of songs and scenes…nothing more – just according to the script demand.

Unni Mukundan: This young Malayalam actor succeeds in grabbing the attention in a star studded canvas like JG with his act. Given more meat, it would have been an interesting contest that would have led the film to new horizons.

The characterization of Saikumar, Suresh, Devayani, Ajay, Brahmaji, Banerjee & others was decent and they added value to the script with their respective performances. Rajeev Kanakala plays a brilliant cameo in the film - watch out for his part!

Analysis:

Janatha Garage public talk - Hit/Flop/Average, openings, box-office records – everything put aside, Koratala Siva deserves to be applauded for convincing stars and attempting a mainstream film like Janatha Garage without much “commercial stupidity”.

This is the story of ‘Janatha Garage’ the messiah of masses and its right heir. Any premise like this needs a strong protagonist, an equally good antagonist and a proper conflict between them. Janatha Garage has got two of them with decent characterizations and intents but the script misses the antagonist it deserves. Koratala once again retains his style with classy, well-mannered and matured characters who are good people with fine balance of emotions, a broader perspective and big goals in life.

But if you can’t relate to Janatha Garage’s emotion, its reasoning and all of it, then its star cast and their captivating performances will provide a reason to watch the drama. Koratala impresses with his writing in couple of scenes especially the one wherein Suresh (Suresh) comes to Satyam’s (Mohanlal) house along with Bujji (Samantha) – all the actors deliver brilliant performances. On top of it, you have few other key episodes like the pre-interval block, Rajeev Kanakala scene with that essential elevation and high you are looking for. Moreover dialogues like “Nathopettukunte Nature tho Pettukunnatte…” & “Balavanthudu Balaheenudini…” etc can make the fans feel vindicated.

A proper execution of the emotions laced with exhilarating taking and proper highs and lows is all that a script like Janatha Garage demands. Well honestly Koratala Siva fails to deliver what the concept needed. On the other hand, the film is saved by the lead cast performances and dialogues.

While the first half takes its own time to settle down and fumbles to engage, the film picks up some momentum from the pre-interval episode. However the advent of Pakka Local song once again refills life into the second half as well. The much predictable climax with a sentimental touch and a subsequent trivial twist marks the end of ‘Janatha Garage’.

Merits:

- Performances of the cast especially Tarak, Mohanlal & Rajeev Kanakala.
- Few scenes with the essential high
- Koratala’s dialogues
- Pakka Local song
- Cinematography and editing

De-merits:

- Story and screenplay
- Film’s content low on commercial entertainment might disappoint masses.

Music:

Janatha Garage is one of those films that stands as a testimony for Devi Sri Prasad’s re-recording finesse. While all the songs were situational, meaningful and pro-script, the back ground score is yet another key asset of the film.

Others:

- Pakka Local is a song that rather comes at a much needed point in the second half where it needs some life! Well Kajal and Tarak absolutely kill it with their vigor and dance moves. You’ll see a never-seen-before Kajal in this song and it is undoubtedly a feast for the fans.

- Action sequences by Anal Arasu are mainstream but with an impressive improvisation.

Verdict:

Keeping flaws aside, Janatha Garage is an out and out Koratala Siva mark commercial film driven by content but not stars. The intense and powerful scenes, dialogues and arresting performances make it a worth watch! However, the simple yet engaging writing low on the expected entertainment quotient might disappoint the masses and fans.

Avg User Rating: 3.25/5