Cast: Chiranjeevi (Special Appearance), Ram Charan, Rakul Preet Singh, Kriti Kharbanda, Brahmanandam, Arun Vijay, Sampath Raj, Nadhiya, Sapthagiri, Tisca Chopra, Brahmaji, Mukesh Rishi, Posani Krishna Murali, Rao Ramesh, Amitash Pradhan
Banner: DVV Entertainments
Music: S.Thaman
Cinematography: Manoj Paramahamsa
Editor: M.R. Varma
Story-Screenplay: Kona Venkat, Gopi Mohan & Srinu Vaitla
Producer: DVV Danayya
Director: Srinu Vaitla
Tagline: Mega Star Saves Bruce Lee – Strictly for fans!
Plot:
Rama Chander Rao (Rao Ramesh) is a middleclass father who can afford the education of only one of his two kids and hence aspires to make his studious son Karthik (Ram Charan) an IAS officer. But Karthik gives up his education for the sake of his sister Kavya (Kriti Kharbhanda) and becomes stunt man with the screen name Bruce Lee. Riya (Rakul Preet) is a game developer who wants to design a game upon Karthik assuming him to be a cop. Jai Raj (Sampath Raj), the chairman of Anuradha Pharmaceuticals (the firm where Rama Chander Rao works) wants to get his son Rahul (Amitash Pradhan) married to Kavya. In a series of unexpected events, Bruce Lee locks horns with notorious criminal Deepak Raj (Arun Vijay), the son of Jai Raj. So how did Karthik expose the dark shade of Jai Raj, his son & save his family forms the rest of the story.
Performances:
Ram Charan: The Mega Powerstar looked uber stylish and as usually enthralled his fans with his overall performance. It is a delight for the fans to catch him in action, especially in the fight sequences and he was a killer in the songs with his look and dances.
Rakul Preet: She was unarguably at her glamorous best in the film. She was drop dead gorgeous though out the film, especially, the songs are a must watch only for Rakul. If not an exaggeration, even outshined Cherry with her glamor and energy (Ahem ahem).
Arun Vijay: This Yennai Arindhaal fame actor won brownie points with his much apt balancing act. Tollywood gets a new villain.
Kriti Kharbanda: She suited well as Ram Charan’s elder sister and gave her best to this entertainer.
Brahmanandam: He tried to evoke few gags as frustrated cop Sukuzi Subramanayam but this time doesn’t go overboard.
The rest of the cast including Sampath Raj, Nadhiya, Rao Ramesh, Thanikella Bharani, Amitash Pradhan, Saptagiri, Posani, Prithvi, Vennela Kishore, Ali & others played their part.
Analysis:
This is a film after a debacle like Aagadu. So, people are naturally curious about what Srinu Vaitla has in store in his next. It is the film of a crowd puller like Ram Charan and on top of it, the old pals (Kona Venkat & Gopi Mohan) patched up – what else can this ace commercial director ask for?
But Srinu Vaitla once again does what he is really good at – knitting a story around a father-son equation and telling a cop story in his Dookudu format. However, Srinu Vaitla learns some quick lessons here. The smart director who is well aware of the criticism over him picks the same format and tries to retell the story with some modifications. Firstly it is the brother-sister sentiment besides his usual father-son equation that Srinu choses and secondly, our hero is a stunt man unlike a cop/under cover cop (but eventually ends up operating like one). Now, Srinu Vaitla cuts down heavily on individual comedy tracks and tries to bring in some situational comedy. But he couldn’t sacrifice his mark completely and hence we have characters like Suzuki Subramanyam (Brahmanandam), Uganda Yugandhar (Vennela Kishore), PK (Ali), David Master (JP) in place to evoke some laughter.
The first half sails off with the romantic track of Ram Charan & Rakul Preet, some fight sequences, mass songs, some engaging performances by Arun Vijay, Sampath Raj, Rao Ramesh & others. Unlike the routine, the interval arrives on a rather subtle note. The second half can remind you of Aagadu. Things start quickly and conveniently hopping towards the climax but before you can jump to a conclusion, the Mega tsunami sweeps you off.
If you are a hard core fan, you might forget what you have watched all the while and will be walking out truly hypnotized by the mere presence of the Megastar!
Merits:
- Performances of Ram Charan, Rao Ramesh, Arun Vijay.
- Glamor of Rakul Preet.
- Chiranjeevi’s Cameo.
- Cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa.
- Songs and background score of Thaman.
De-merits:
- Age old story, screenplay and treatment.
- Engaging first half but content less Second half.
Music:
Thaman’s music was as usually peppy and groovy with the right blend. Le Chalo song tops the chart even some amazing picturization. The back ground score was decent enough but that of Megastar Chiru’s entry was truly impressive.
Others:
Cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa, Editing by MR Varma & Art Direction are commendable.
Verdict:
Bruce Lee The Fighter is an ordinary Srinu Vaitla mark commercial entertainer rightly saved by Megastar’s cameo. Mega fans might love it but it is a one time watch for the rest and that too for the Megastar!