Nandamuri Balakrishna and director Boyapati Seenu’s highly-anticipated movie, Akhanda has hit the screens today. Let’s analyse it.
Story: Set in Anantapuram backdrop, the film opens with the introduction of a social reformist named Murali Krishna (Balakrishna). He comes across an IAS officer Sravaya( Pragya Jaiswal) and friendship blooms between them which eventually leads to the marriage. Later, the couple will be blessed with a baby girl. As a subplot, the illegal mining episode of Varadarajulu( Srikanth) will be showcased. When questioned by Murali Krishna and his wife, Varadarajulu starts an attack on the family and this is the time Akhanda enters the scene as a saviour. What is the connection between Akhanda and Murali Krishna? Why is he safeguarding Murali Krishna’s family? To know that, you have to watch the film in the theatres near you.
Performances: Undoubtedly, Nandamuri Balakrishna surprises with his energetic screen presence and terrific body language. While his acting in the farmer role is decent, Balayya brings life to all the key scenes with his amazing appearance as Akhanda. Considering his age factor, Balayya did some risk stunts and his dialogues and performance during the action sequences is a treat to watch for his fans. To keep it simple, Balayya carries Akhanda on his shoulders.
Heroine Pragya Jaiswal is beautiful on-screen and her look in saree attire is good. She gave a decent performance in the key interval episode. But the minus point is that the chemistry between Pragya and Balayya is not showcased in a proper manner.
Srikanth gave a decent performance as Varadarajulu. But his role is not projected in a convincing way. Jagapathi Babu did a key role and is okay with his screen presence as a Swamiji. Other artists who did the supporting roles are decent enough in their respective roles.
Technicalities: Thaman’s music is the backbone of this actioner as his background score elevates the mood of the scenes neatly. While Jai Balayya song is enjoyable, other songs are purely situation oriented and passable on the screen.
Cinematography by Ram Prasad C is fantastic as he presented the entire film with his grandeur lens. Editing by Kotagiri Venkateshwara Rao is not up to the mark as he would have chopped off close to fifteen minutes in both halves to keep the screen time in limits.
Production values for this high budget entertainer by Dwaraka Creations banner are rich. The makeup work done for Balayya’s Akhanda character is fine. Makeup and costumes designed technicians should be appreciated for it.
Analysis: Akhanda is the third outing for Balakrishna and Boyapati after Simha and Legend. For obvious reasons, the film has been carrying good expectations among the audience but looks like Boyapati has taken things for granted this time as the film lacks proper story and emotional connectivity.
The idea of narration the twin brothers story but interlinking the proceedings with nature and God are good but the lack of clarity in the presentation dilutes the soul of the movie. While the film has no proper scene order and engaging screenplay, it is Balayya’s screen presence that comes as a saviour for this masala entertainer.
To summerize, Akhanda is a commercially packed action drama that suffers from demerits such as uneven screenplay and gripping presentation. In the box office prospects, the film has fair chances to impress the mass audience in the B and C centres.
Verdict: Balayya’s one-man show!
Rating: 3/5
