This adventurous, suspenseful journey thrills you in parts
Rajugari Kodipulao is the latest box office release which has been directed, produced and starred by Shiva Kona all by himself. Anil Moduga has co-produced the film featuring ETV Prabhakar, Neha Desh Pandey, Kunal Kaushal, Prachi Thaker, Ramya Desh Pandey and Abhilash Bhandari among others. Rajugari Kodipulao has piqued the audience’s curiosity with its promotional activity.
Story
The film revolves around Rajugaru (Etv Prabhakar) who runs a famous hotel named Rajugari Kodipulao in Amalapuram. Despite his success, he struggles with challenges with his wife. His wife to have a son remains a dream and his strained relationship with his wife leads to problems. As events unfold, a group of friends sets out on a road trip, leading to mysterious circumstances in a wild forest near Karnataka. What happens to this bunch of tech-savvy couples? What twists and shocking revelations do they encounter in the process? The narrative takes audiences on a chilling journey.
Analysis:
Rajugari Kodipulao opens with an engaging portrayal of Rajugari’s backstory, how he shot to fame with his recipe Kodipulao. The first half masterfully introduces the group of friends, creating a carefree atmosphere that suddenly transforms into tension. The eerie forest with claw marks and arrows on trees. The group lost their whereabouts. The dose of humour and suspense has served in the right quantities to engage the audiences throughout. The unexpected demise of a character Candy raises the stakes — leading to a series of captivating twists in the second half. The impressive flashback sequences and thrilling experiences culminate in a satisfying climax.
Performances
Shiva Kona deserves praise for single handedly attempting a suspense-murder mystery. He did an impressive work as an actor, director, and producer. Playing the character of Danny, he commands the screen with confidence. His performance with shades of intrigue and humour is convincing. Prachi Thaker’s as Candy aka Chaitanya looked mature in her role. Kunal Kaushal’s as Badri does a decent job. Neha Desh Pandey shines as Akanksha, portraying a multi-dimensional character. Abhilash Bandari impresses as wildlife enthusiast Farooq looks quite wild — showcasing a versatile range of emotions. Ramya Dinesh adds humour with her lively character, adding to the film’s charm. ETV Prabhakar’s does well within the small time as Rajugaru.
Technical details
Shiva Kona’s directorial debut is commendable for handling the crew at the same time the production all by himself. He expertly blended elements of suspense and fun throughout the story. The narrative is gripping in parts. The seond half should have been more crisp. Praveen Mani’s soul-stirring background score breathes life into the movie, elevating the excitement in critical scenes. Cinematographer Pavan Guntuku captures the breath-taking wild locations beautifully, enhancing the film’s visual appeal. The editing is good but it could have been sharper.
Verdict:
Rajugari Kodipulao is a good experience albeit with a slow-paced screenplay. Shiva Kona’s work as a director, actor, and producer is outstanding.
Rating 2.75 / 3
