Raj Tharun‘s Bhale Unnade has generated a decent buzz due to its unique and sensible concept. Directed by Shiva Sai Vardhan, who is known for his popular web series like Geetha Subramaniam and Pelligola 2, this film is backed by well-known director Maruthi. Read our review here.
Story: Gowri(Abhirami) is a strong and independent woman. Her son, Radha (Raj Tarun) is a good-hearted young man who grew up without a father. However, doubts begin to arise when Krishna(Manisha Kandakur) questions his masculinity. Despite not sharing her concerns with anyone, Krishna believes this to be true, and as a result, their relationship, which was heading toward marriage, falls apart. How all of this gets sorted out is the basic story of the film.
Performances: After a long time, Raj Tarun has taken on a different role, delivering a natural and dignified performance. His portrayal of Radha is balanced and free from over-exaggeration. Following Raj Tarun, Abhirami stands out with her impressive performance as a mother, conveying the depth of her character through her expressive eyes. Manisha Kandukur plays Krishna’s role seamlessly. Her resemblance to Tamanna, especially in facial features, adds to her appeal. Manisha has earned praise for her first performance as an actress. VTV Ganesh brings some humor with his unique voice, though his sequence is one of the film’s weaker aspects. Veterans Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and Leela Samson are wasted in their roles.
Technical Aspects: Director Shiva Sai Vardhan deserves praise for delivering a meaningful story without resorting to vulgarity. His approach to keeping the film free from crass comedy or double-meaning scenes makes it more appealing to family audiences. The editing in the second half could have been a lot better. Nagesh Banel‘s cinematography is decent, complementing the film well. Similarly, Shekar Chandra’s music is melodious and adds to the overall experience. From a technical standpoint, including production design and artwork, there are no major shortcomings.
Analysis: Bhale Unnade is a film that has a very novel concept. A girl wanting to have a physical relationship but the boy rejecting it for reasons unknown makes things look quite interesting. But sadly, the narration is only half-baked and leaves a lot to be desired. If an emotional point lacks proper justification, the audience will struggle to connect with the film or its characters. The same is the case with Bhale Unnade as well.
There are so many issues in the film. Firstly, the reasoning behind the protagonist’s unusual behavior towards women is inadequately explained, leaving the audience puzzled even after the film concludes. While the backstory involving Raj Tarun and his mother is introduced, it lacks clarity, making it difficult to fully grasp the protagonist’s motivations.
Manisha Kandukur’s portrayal of an overly enthusiastic character feels misaligned with the film’s tone, often coming across as irritating. Her hyperactive demeanor detracts from the overall flow of the story. Veterans Singeetham Srinivas Rao and Leela Samson have roles that feel peripheral to the main story, with their scenes missing the opportunity to add emotional depth. Stronger writing could have given their characters more significance.
Additionally, many scenes, especially the comedy featuring Racha Ravi in the second half, are poorly executed and lack focus, weakening the overall impact. In a way, there was so much scope for the director to showcase the film in a very emotional manner. But to make things interesting, comedy is added, and that derails the film in the second half which hampers the viewing in a big way.
Verdict: Overall, Bhale Unnade has a very novel subject and is also quite relatable. But sadly, the narration is underwhelming and has many issues. All those who like contemporary romantic dramas with a bold subject can give this film a shot.
Bottom Line: Good concept dull narration
Bhale Unnade Rating: 2.5/5
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