Boyapati Srinu and Nandamuri Balakrishna deliver a vigorous mass action entertainer that’s strictly for the fanbase
There are films, and there are films by director Boyapati Srinu. Then there are Boyapati Srinu’s films starring Nandamuri Balakrishna. In the cinematic universe where the two collaborate, everything is larger than life. Nothing is subtle, not even remotely. in their third outing together Narasimha And legend, decide to increase both the scale and the decibels. telugu movie monolithic Balakrishna plays a double role, but we will get to that in a bit.
The director is aware of the massive fanbase of the star. When his films hit the theatres, ‘Jai Balaiya’ slogans become commonplace. This time the fans took it a step further. Sample this: ‘Edukondalvada Venkataraman… Jai Balaiya!’ In monolithic, one of the roles played by Balakrishna is similar to that of a semi-god who has supernatural powers. The other character played by Balakrishna is named Murali Krishna, a good Samaritan who has been instrumental in preventing factionalism and is revered by all.
monolithic
- Cast: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Pragya Jaiswal, Srikanth, Jagapathi Babu
- Directed by: Boyapati Srinu
- Music: SS Thaman
With the stage ready for a larger-than-life canvas, Boyapati fell out completely. The 167-minute film begins and ends with action sequences that are carefully choreographed, with enough slow-motion shots designed to dutifully lap between loud cheers. Balakrishna walks between two large wheels and later rolling tyres, after beating people to a pulp, of course, in slow motion.
Elsewhere, he hurls a trident and swirls it a couple of times, just so we know he’s not letting the wicked get away easily. In another scene, bullets shoot out of someone’s skull. Another man beaten and thrown by Balakrishna is still floating in the air while Tara slowly moves away. This is only the tip of the iceberg; There is much more in the film, which is in line with Thaman’s spirited score.
The story is of twins separated at the time of birth. Been there, saw? A uranium miner exploits the land and its people to the fullest. Have you seen such stories? Boyapati gives these oft-repeated mainstream stories an added edge with an ‘akhand’ (invincible) aspect, which is a good measure of religion, spirituality, goodness versus goodness. Evil god.
The narrative unfolds in a familiar fashion, depicting the hero’s good deeds. There is room for romance too. The new District Collector Saranya Bachupally (Pragya Jaiswal) is portrayed as a romantic interest and later as a civil servant to wife and young mother. He gets enough screen time but not enough scope to be taken seriously as a district collector. The age difference between the couple is also visible.
Poorna, as principal secretary Prabhavati, investigating the mining scam, has a slightly better chance of portraying a no-nonsense government official.
Srikanth has been cast as Varadaraju, my boss who knows no remorse. He eats at a poor woman’s house and in return offers her the severed head of the man of the house. If this gives an idea of the portrayal of evil in this film, there is more. A series of barbaric events set the stage for the arrival of ‘Akhand’ as the savior.
As the drama goes on, Boyapati and the team do not tire of many more action sequences. All this is comprised of dialogues by M Ratnam. Some are discourses while most are punchlines-‘Miku time vaaste dandam padaru, memu aa time ke pindam padam, Both are not the same’. Boyapati and Balakrishna seem to have had a lot of fun making the film.
Srikanth is introduced as a powerful antagonist, but eventually turns out to be a regular villain. Many other characters fill the screen but there is no room to make an impact.
The film gets tiring post intermission and the constant high voltage background score doesn’t help either.
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