Cast: Allari Naresh, Kamna Ranawat, Sakshi Choudhary
Banner: Gopi Arts
Editor: MR Varma
Music: Sai Karthic
Producer: Rama Brahmam Sunkara
Director: Eswar Reddy
Just a ‘Timepass Raja’ - one-time watch & nothing more!
Plot:
Raja (Allari Naresh) is a selfie-maniac who falls in love with Swetha (Kamna Ranawat), the daughter of Police Commissioner (Nagineedu). Raja eventually marries Swetha but due to a series of unexpected events, Swetha abandons him. Distressed and helpless Raja decides to die and after a couple of failed attempts seeks the help of a notorious contract killer Kaaki (Ravibabu) to kill him. Surprisingly, Beems (Allari Naresh) is the henchman who gets the assignment of killing Raja. On the other hand, criminal Haridasu (Ajay Ghosh) tries to avenge his arrest and kill Raja. How did Raja escape death that is hunting him forms the rest of the plot.
Performances:
Allari Naresh: We know Allari Naresh is an all-rounder. However you don’t get anything special from Naresh in this film.
Kamna Ranawat: This newbie tries her best to grab attention and succeeds to an extent.
Sakshi Choudhary: Unlike her earlier film, this glam doll doesn’t get much scope and space to perform in the band wagon except couple of songs. Better luck next time!
Ajay Ghosh: This popular baddie has changed gears and tried out comedy in this film but much to our dismay, it is yet another run-of-the-mill villain role!
Ravibabu: He is back with his mark comedy in the film especially his combination with Shakalala Shankar is amusing.
Besides them “30yrs Industry” Prithvi, Saptagiri, Thagubothu Ramesh comedy works.
Analysis:
When you want to make a film on an ongoing trend but don’t have a proper story yet have a producer, cast and comedians, perhaps a film like Selfie Raja is a resultant.
Our hero is a selfie maniac, on top of it has a loose tongue but unfortunately the story doesn’t evolve out of these potential elements. Instead few Jabardasth comedians, some low brow slap-stick comedy and a couple of spoofs is what Selfie Raja is made up of. Ok… keeping the quality of comedy aside, Selfie Raja (supposedly a comedy film) has a hilarious episode nowhere in the film.
The first half is a decent watch with a worthy twist in the tale. However, the director couldn’t use this point to the best. Instead, the second half starts to bother you with the insipid comedy and lackadaisical narration. On top of it, the songs add to the tragedy. However few gags here and there cover up the setbacks and the film remains to be a time pass film.
The pathetic part is that an all-rounder entertainer like Allari Naresh offers nothing special in this film.
Merits:
Performances of Ravibabu, Prithvi, Shakala Shankar
Glamour of Kamna & Sakshi Choudhary
Comedy of Ravibabu, Prithvi, Shakalaka Shankar, Thagubothu Ramesh
Engaging first half
De-merits:
Story
Screenplay especially in the second half
Lack of substantial comedy
Music:
Sai Karthic’s music is foot-tapping but back ground score fails to add value.
Others:
Nothing worthy to mention.
Verdict:
Allari Naresh’s Selfie Raja is just a one-time watch time pass film that is worth commanding our time and money.
Important Discovery: there is no connection between the title and film!