Cast: Sumanth, Sharwanand, Ravi Varma, Sunil, Sada, Kamalinee Mukherjee, Kota, Bharani, Giri Babu, Sudha, Uttej, Siva Reddy, Maruthi, Chitralekha
Director:Vijaya Bhaskar
Producer:Sravanthi Ravi Kishore
Music:Koti
Lyrics:Sirivennela
Dialogues:Abburi Ravi
Cinematography:Hari Anumolu
Art:Peketi Ranga
Editing:Sreekar Prasad
Story:James Albert
Screenplay:Vijaya Bhaskar
Date of Release:April 20th, 2007
Unimpressive fare with lots of bad elements
The latest film of Vijaya Bhaskar, 'Classmates', is the remake of super hit Malyalam film by the same name. The original was directed by Lal Jose and was penned by James Albert. Without doubt, the story has a great depth and is very innovative. There have been many films set in campus with all its fun but adding a murder mystery to it has brought novelty to the story. But what lacks in the film is the Vijaya Bhaskar of 'Nuvvu Naku Nachchavu'. Maybe there he had Trivikram to support him with excellent dialogues here he doesn't have him!
Story of this film is about what happened if four classmates in college meet after a gap of 10 years. This means it is film like Autograph which would evoke nostalgic memories in the people who are watching, but unfortunately this film fails to deliver them. Moreover the performances of the lead actors are mediocre and most of the times not up to the mark, which is a bigger drawback to the film. The film with such slow pace and usually bad narration leaves people asking for something more, ultimately they don't get it!
Director Vijaya Bhaskar has done this film after his earlier debacle 'Jai Chiranjeeva', but this film too fails to make any impression and looks like days have come to an end for this director, unless he pulls up his socks and comes out with something really novel.
The Story
The film is about a group of classmates and their college life. It is told in flashback mode. Ravi (Sumanth) is a SFI leader. Buddy (Sunil) is his close friend. Murali (Sharwanand) is son of professors (Kota and Sudha) who work in the same college. Rajeshwari or Raji (Sada) is an MLA's daughter and she does not get along well with Ravi. Satish (Ravi Varma), a rival student leader, wants to cash in on the divide between Ravi and Raaji. Rajiya (Kamilini Mukherjee) is a shy Muslim student. They all are classmates. 10 years later they meet again for a get together in memory of Murali who died under mysterious circumstances. Their meeting proves to be fatal. Slowly there are many mysteries are unraveled. What are they? Watch it out on big screen.
The Analysis
Good story with bad narrative elements, to sum up the film Classmates. The entire development of the plot is very predictable and there are only few surprises which is not enough to make the audience sit for longer periods. Sumath remains stone-faced and stiff. Sada is earnest, but has very little screen presence. Sharwanand has the role of a lovable peacemaker with a tragic end, which he portrays to perfection. Kamilini Mukerjee has very little to do, and the character itself is not explored much, and she does little to better it. Sunil does more than comedy here, and he makes his presence felt. Tanikella Bharani, Kota Srinivasa Rao and all the other 'regulars' wade effortlessly through their characters. The major let down for the film and Vijaya Bhaskar is the dialogues. When it is Vijaya Bhaskar's film everyone expects to have impressive and punch dialogues. The dialogues of Abburi Ravi are pedestrian and below the average mark. This has turned out to be a major jolt for the director and the film. It is time Vijaya Bhaskar and Telugu film industry identifies a new writer on par with Jandyala or Trivikram.
Koti who had earlier given memorable numbers for Vijaya Bhaskar and Sravanti Banner, this time has been a great disappointment. None of the songs are impressive, neither the picturisation is good. Hari Anumolu's camera work too is a major let down. It is time for Ravi Kishore to have a new team to churn out block busters for his banner! |  |
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