Family Star, the latest Telugu film featuring Vijay Deverakonda and Mrunal Thakur, has hit the screens, bringing with it a wave of anticipation. Directed by Parasuram, known for his work on Geetha Govindam, the film promises a mix of family drama and romance. But does it live up to the expectations set by the combo’s past film Geetha Govindam?
Plot
The story follows the journey of Govardhan (Vijay Deverakonda), burdened with the responsibility of managing his extended family. The narrative unravels the challenges stemming from his older brother’s actions and introduces Indu (Mrunal Thakur), a prosperous entrepreneur whose arrival triggers significant conflicts in Govardhan’s life and family dynamics.
Performances and Technical Aspects
Vijay Deverakonda, known for his intense performances, skillfully embodies the character of Govardhan. He maintains a balance, avoiding any hint of overacting despite the character’s demanding nature. This demonstrates his versatility as an actor, especially in portraying down-to-earth characters convincingly. Vijay’s portrayal stays true to the simplicity of the middle-class role he plays, complementing the modest storyline presented by Parasuram.
Mrunal Thakur, as Indu, starts off charming but gradually loses depth, particularly in the second half where her role diminishes, leaving her with minimal dialogue and a subdued presence. Unfortunately, her styling fails to enhance her character as it did in her previous Telugu projects. The filmmakers missed an opportunity to fully utilize the fresh pairing of Vijay and Mrunal.
The supporting cast, including senior actor Jagapathi Babu, fails to leave a lasting impression. Even Vennela Kishore, in his typical sidekick comedian role, adds little to the narrative. Despite the presence of actors like Divyansha Kaushik, Ajay Ghosh, Prabhas Sreenu, and Jabardasth Ramprasad, none manage to make a significant impact.
Senior Marathi actress Rohini Hattangadi and Vasuki, known for her screen presence, are underutilized, diminishing their potential contribution to the film.
Gopisundar’s music disappoints, lacking the ability to compensate for the film’s shortcomings. While the background score occasionally enhances certain scenes, overall, it fails to impress. KU Mohanan’s cinematography is adequate but fails to bring anything fresh or visually striking to the film. Marthand K. Venkatesh’s editing is inconsistent, resulting in pacing issues and unnecessary scenes that detract from the overall experience.
The production values by Sri Venkateswara Creations are sufficient but unremarkable, lacking any standout elements.
Analysis
Parasuram, who previously collaborated with Vijay Deverakonda on ‘Geetha Govindam’, joins forces with him again for ‘Family Star’. Unfortunately, this time around, the film struggles with an outdated plot and underdeveloped conflicts involving the protagonist’s brother and love interest, which fail to drive the narrative effectively.
It’s regrettable that there wasn’t a thorough discussion about the storyline before filming commenced. The central conflict involving Govardhan (played by Vijay D), burdened by his brother’s alcohol addiction, lacks depth and believability, undermining the emotional core of the family dynamics. Parasuram’s handling of this crucial aspect is disappointing both on paper and on screen.
Despite these shortcomings, Vijay’s commanding screen presence and portrayal of Govardhan inject some life into the first half. Mrunal’s introduction adds a touch of positivity, accompanied by well-written dialogues.
The abrupt shift to the U.S. setting in the second half raises questions about the coherence of the storyline. Certain scenes, such as Vijay’s character evading encounters with white women in downtown New York, feel out of place and should have been reconsidered during editing.
The depiction of Govardhan’s success in the U.S. and the exploration of themes like the Middle-Class Thesis and the concept of replicating Indian homes abroad lack depth and come across as superficial. It’s disappointing to see these ideas presented confidently without proper execution.
Despite the potential of the lead pair, Vijay and Mrunal, their chemistry is not fully utilized. The film’s return to India features some well-crafted dialogues but is followed by a disjointed and rushed conclusion, leaving much to be desired.
Verdict :
While Family Star manages to sustain interest in the first half, it ultimately falters due to the director’s lack of clarity regarding the story and the weak conflicts that form its foundation.
Rating: 1.5/5
