Direction: Ram Gopal Varma, Agasthya Manju
Cast: Yagna Shetty, P Vijay Kumar, Sritej
Producer: Rakesh Reddy, Deepthi Balagiri
Banner: Company Productions, Gun Shot Films, GV Films
Music: Kalyani Malik
Controversial filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma is back with much-hyped biopic – Lakshmi’s NTR. The movie chronicles the life of late NTR after the entry of Lakshmi Parvathi. Apart from showing the bond between Lakshmi Parvathi and NTR, it shows the infamous incident of Viceroy Hotel that created a flutter in Andhra Pradesh politics where Chandrababu ‘backstabbed’ NTR. WHile Lakhsmi’s NTR is releasing across the world expect in Andhra Pradesh, as the High Court has passed stay on its release. The underlining fact is will RGV’s Lakshmi’s NTR talks about real facts and will this film does justice to late NTR’s life is to be seen.
Story
Lakhsmi’s NTR is not a new story. In fact, it’s a familiar subject that Telugu audiences are aware of what happened in NTR’s (Vijay Kumar) life after he lost the power in the 1989 elections. Lakshmi Parvathi (Yemeni Shetty) approaches NTR to chronicle his biography. Knowing that Lakshmi Parvathi is a well-read person, NTR gives his nod to write his biography. Soon, rumours about them spread thick and fast and NTR also catches winds of it. During the function of film Major Chandrakanth, NTR announces that he will soon tie-the-knot to Lakshmi Parvathi. No sooner, NTR’s son-in-law Babu colludes with one print publisher propagandising against Lakshmi Parvathi and damaging her reputation.
Later, in 1994 NTR sweeps of victory with Lakshmi Parvathi by his side. How the events unfold later on. How NTR’s family members get influenced by Babu and turn against the former. How the infamous incident at the Viceroy Hotel where chappals were hurled at NTR unfolds. NTR depressed over the untoward incident loses his life.
Performances
The pivotal actors chosen by RGV are new to the Telugu audiences. Vijay Kumar, who essayed NTR’s role is new to the film world. Vijay Kumar is a stage actor and has fulfilled the expectations of RGV by getting into the skin of NTR’s role. From dialogue delivery to his mannerism, Vijay Kumar is akin to the mirror image of NTR. Another important role was that of Yagna Shetty. From portraying pure love, innocence, sorrow, anguish, humiliation she too steals the show. On the other side, Sretej lived in the role of Babu. With his shrewd and cunning mannerism, Sritej made the movie simmering. Meanwhile, other artistes have done justice to their roles as well.
Analysis
As promised and said from the beginning, RGV has brought to the scenes only real facts. How NTR lived destitute life in his final years. How Lakshmi Parvathi entered his life? How the two developed a bond. What kind of conspiracies did NTR family plot against Lakshmi Parvathi? Who are the original people behind the conspiracy? Who is the real person that led to the death of NTR? All these things have been shows in Varma’s inimitable style.
Everything falls in place perfectly but at times the narration appears tad slow. Having said that it makes you immersive in the narration that it can be overlooked. RGV won the half battle by picking up perfect characters who blend seamlessly into their respective characters. Apart from RGV’s inimitable trademark style, the highlight is Kalyani Malik’s music. From raging BGM to the powerful tracks, it helps in proceedings, it stands as huge advantage for the film.
Positives
- Story
- Emotional scenes
- Music
Negatives
- Sluggish narrative at times
Verdict
A true tribute to NTR
