Cast: Nara Rohith, Latha Hegde, Kabir Duhan Singh, Pujitha Ponnada, Vennela Kishore
Banner: Sri Keerthi Films
Music: Sai Karthik
Editor: Madhu
Producers: Ashok, Nagarjun
Director: Kumar Nagendra
A fun filled timepass Film
Plot:
Four friends Kishore, Pooja, Sudarshan, Aanand, Kalki on a vacation to a dense forest discover a sage. When the sage grants them a boon Kishore asks him for a newspaper after Vijaya Dasami day to test him. Much to their astonishment, the Sage presents them and vanishes. Interestingly, the four friends learn about an upcoming boxing tournament and Raju (Nara Rohith), the winner of the tournament and his prize money. They approach Raju to smartly cut a deal with him regarding the prize money but are shocked to know that Raju isn't a boxer at all. But Raju falls deeply in love with Siri (Latha Hegde) who wants to see him win the boxing tournament opposite a deadly opponent like Killer Raju (Kabir). How did the prophecy of the sage come true forms the rest of the story.
Performances:
Nara Rohith: He plays the character of Raju, a common man with ease. Besides which, this film taps the true comic timing and potential of this young hero.
Latha Hegde: She lacks the quintessential screen presence of a heroine. Keeping aside her mediocre acting, a big thumbs down for this newbie.
Kabir: This ace villain does a decent job but even after a good number of Telugu films, he couldn't his Telugu dialogues perfectly.
Vennela Kishore, Shakalaka Shankar, Roller Raghu & Ali shine in their comedy tracks.
While the rest of the cast including Sudarshan Reddy, Pooja, Kasi Viswanath, Swaroop did a decent job.
Analysis:
This can be termed as a ray of hope for Kumar Nagendra after commercial flops like Gundello Godari & Joru. He tried to play a safe game with a proper remake and it worked. We have seen many films with the boxing theme where an ordinary man accomplishes an extraordinary mission and emerges a hero. Even the hero of the film has a seemingly impossible target but unlike those sincere hero journeys, Tuntari is a light hearted remake with a touch and go treatment. Tuntari is all about an entertaining hero, a timepass love track, a boxing tournament,a name sake villain, a petty revenge and fun throughout.
The film that starts off on a curious note shifts gear turns engaging with good dosage of comedy between the lead cast. The romantic angle and songs does the rest. The fun factor doesn't let you see the interval coming. Given the subject of the film, the second half is expected to be a serious, intense, emotional roller coaster with its share of drama & thrilling highs but you see nothing. Looks like the director preferred to keep it simple and light hearted that he actually loses the intensity in the treatment which might have taken the film to the next horizon in term of emotional connect.
You can't relate to the hero's love story, his tears, his mission or even the villain's reason to avenge. On top of it, too many songs are stuffed in to extend the drama adding to the boredom. And a happy ending concludes this timepass drama.
However, unlike the run-of-the-mill films, Tuntari is a different attempt with "Telugized treatment".
Merits:
Story
Engaging Narration & Fun filled treatment
Nara Rohith performances
Comedy of Vennela Kishore, Nara Rohith, Roller Raghu, Ali
Music and background score
Cinematography by Palani Kumar
De-Merits:
Lackadaisical second half.
Coerced songs.
Music:
Sai Kartheek as usually gives a good commercial album but too many songs and their placement rather irk you. Background score is brilliant.
Others:
Nothing Special to mention.
Verdict:
Tuntari is a good fun filled film. If you don't take the theme and emotion of the film seriously, then it might not disappoint you. Certainly not a commendable remake of Maankarate but a decent timepass film.