Cast: Prakash Raj, Priyamani, Acyuth Kumar, Rangayana Raghu, Raghubabu, Prudhviraj, Satyadev Kancharana
Banner: Prakash Raj Productions & First Copy Pictures
Distribution: Abhishek Pictures
Music: Ilaiyaraaja
Story: Joy Mathew
Cinematography: Mukesh
Producer-Director: Prakash Raj
Raj Magic... With Raaja Music
Plot:
Bhujangam (Prakash Raj) is an influential village man who believes in prestige. He controls his wife and children for the sake of prestige and goodwill. One day, he gets drunk and goes on roads. He also falls for a prostitute (Priyamani). He takes her to a shop opposite his house and his assistant Shiva(Satya) locks them up in the store and tells that he will return in an hour. Though Bhujangam gets the prostitute he is scared of doing anything. He worries about prestige and his family name. He thinks of sending her out but the room is locked. Shiva doesn’t return in time. Things happen in such a way that they are stuck in the store for two days. What happens later? Did they come out of the store? Where is Shiva? Forms the rest of the plot:
Performances:
Prakash Raj: He is the life and soul of the film. Though his acting looked overdone in the initial scenes, he eventually gets into the character effortlessly. He has less to deliver in the form of dialogues in second half and worked more on expressions.
Priyamani: She did a fantastic job in this film after long time. It is not an easy task to act as a prostitute and she oozed sensuality without exposing. If at all her role was given complete justification it would have been an unforgettable role.
Satya: He has less experience as an actor but did well in front of two senior artists like Prakash Raj and Priyamani. However, the role looks over done in some scenes.
Prudhvi: The regular Prudhvi isn’t seen in this film. He did a great job with controlled antics. His role is so brilliant that one would wonder if he can be utilized in this manner too!
Analysis:
It is not an easy task to take a small point and develop a gripping storyline with thrilling elements. The original writer of Malayalam film Shutter on which this film is based on should be appreciated. Prakash Raj did a great job by bringing it into Telugu. He followed the Malayalam original by doing only little changes to the Telugu version. It took time for the director to get into the roles and story. With the entry of Priyamani’s character, the story speeds up. Most of the film is shot in the backdrop of the shop. But it doesn’t bore the audience as the thrilling elements take the front seat. The story deals with a man who falls for temporary pleasure and later realizes his mistake. This aspect was fused with thrilling elements and given a brilliant touch towards the end. Prudhvi’s role as Garuda entertains well by staying in the story. It would have been nice if Prudhvi and Priyamani’s characters were justified well. Bhujangam’s transformation wasn’t shown clearly. Compared to the first half, the second half slows down. There is only one song in the film and it was used in the titles.
Technical Aspects:
The only title song in the film was used in the end credits. Maestro Ilaiyaraaja’s background score is brilliant and it reminds the listener of his peak work. Camerawork and art direction is quite impressive. Dialogues could have been better but they are passable.
Merits:
- Prakash Raj and Priyamani’s acting
- Maestro Ilaiyaraaja’s Music
- Thrilling elements
De-Merits:
- Slow second half
- Dialogues
Verdict:
Mana Oori Ramayanam is a classy fare which would be greatly loved by Multiplex audience. However, its fate in B and C centers is yet to be determined.