Sharwanand is pining high hopes on Sreekaram, which is promoted as a rural drama with a social message. Let us see if he can quench his thirst for a solid commercial hit with this film.
Story: Karthik (Sharwanand), a top-rated employee, declines the offer from his software company to go abroad and quits his job. He leaves to his village and decides to take up agriculture. His decision is not in the best interests of his father and consequently, traction develops between the duo. Why did Karthik decline the opportunity to go abroad and eventually settle down? What is his motive behind taking up agriculture?
What about on-screen performances?
Sharwanand sports two different looks in the film. His urban look is typical and there is nothing new about it. But he nails the farmer look. The way he emotes in sentimental scenes is commendable. Rao Ramesh gets an author-backed role and not did he deliver. He is one of the major assets of the film. Priya Arul Mohan plays Sharwanand’s love interest and she does justice to her role. Sai Kumar is seen as the antagonist and he looks menacing.
What about off-screen talents?
Sreekaram has an emotionally touching plot. Penultimate scenes in the film are well-written and they pack enough impact. But Sharwanand’s character is way too similar to the one he played in Shathamanambhavathi. The second half is a bumpy ride as many scenes look repetitive and the adding to that, the screenplay is formulaic. The director presents his story in an honest manner and he does a good job with it. But his narration in the second half is a bit too uneven.
Sai Madhav Burra’s dialogues are worth their weight in gold. Every dialogue is thought-provoking. Yuvaraj’s cinematography deserves a special mention as he sets the right mood with his visuals. Micky J Meyer’s background score is of top-drawer quality.
What’s Hot?
- Sharwanand’s performance
- Emotional scenes featuring Rao Ramesh and Naresh
- Heartfelt emotions
- Climax
- Background score
What’s Not?
- Poorly presented love track
- Routine scenes in the latter half
- Uneven narration
- Formulaic screenplay
- Tempo goes down in the second half
Verdict:
Sharwanand’s Sreekaram banks on emotionally touching plot and excellent performances from the lead cast. It is not a typical Telugu film with 4 fights and 5 songs. The story is presented in an honest manner. But the tempo goes down in the second half as formulaic and repetitive scenes take the centre stage. This takes a toll on the overall movie-watching experience
Watch or Not?: Only for those who love emotional dramas.
Telugubulletin.com Rating: 2.5/5
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Sreekaram is an upcoming drama film directed by Kishore Reddy and produced by Ram Achanta and Gopichand Achanta under their production house 14 Reels Plus. the film stars Sharwanand and Priyanka Arul Mohan in lead roles, and Sai Kumar in a pivotal role.
Watch this space for Live updates followed by a full movie review.
Second half report: It is a bit heavy with some great moments. The emotional climax part worked out really well.
11.05 A.M: With Karthik’s emotional speech about farming and a heart-touching emotional scene between father and son, the movie ends.
11.00 A.M: Sai Kumar striving to destroy Karthik’s farming success. These scenes are happening now.
10.40 A.M: Here comes the Vastanantivo Potanantivo song as a relaxation in between emotional episodes.
10.25 A.M: Farmers’ unity didn’t go well with Sai Kumar. He tries to break their harmony.
10.10 A.M: The title song of ‘Sreekaram’, which was shot in farm fields, is a visual treat.
10.05 A.M: The second half opens with Karthik’s explanation of the benefits of collective agriculture. This scene is shot excellently.
First-half report: The movie starts with a connecting point. It is presented in a way that everyone connects emotionally right from the start. The director entered the concept from the inception and took it with heart touching moments throughout. Justification for the second half is crucial for the film.
09.45 A.M: Father-Son and dry village backdrop scenes are shot emotionally. Karthik tries to convince villagers to take up farming. These scenes are shot realistically. And, it’s time for the interval.
09.25 A.M: The movie is going on an emotional track. Karthik rejects the US offer and takes up farming.
09.15 A.M: As we saw in the trailer, Chaitra is trying to impress Karthik. But he seems not interested in her. Here comes the second song ‘Hey Abbayi’, which is shot lively.
09.05 A.M: The story is back to the city. Priyanka Arul Mohan is introduced as Chaitra and Software office scenes are going now.
09.02 A.M: Character establishment scenes of villain Sai Kumar are fine.
09.00 A.M: Its time for the first song ‘Sankranthi Sandhalle’. The song is shot very well with a full village environment.
08.55 A.M: The movie opens with people heading to their native villages for Pongal. Software engineer Karthik (Sharwanand) reaches his village. Rao Ramesh is introduced as the lead actor’s father.
08.45 A.M: Sharwanand and Priyanka Arul Mohan starrer ‘Sreekaram’ started with 132 minutes run time. The film got a clean ‘U’ certificate from CBFC.