Bubble Gum is one of the most awaited films in Telugu as it marks the film debut of anchor Suma’s son, Roshan Kanakala. The youthful drama is directed by Ravikanth Perepu and has been released today. Let’s review it here.
Story: Aadi, portrayed by Roshan Kanakala, and Jhanvi, played by Maanasa Choudhary, hail from disparate socio-economic backgrounds. Aadi is the offspring of a butcher, Chaitu Jonnalagadda, while Jhanvi is the daughter of affluent parents engaged in a long-standing live-in relationship. Aadi aspires to pursue a music career, while Jhanvi is confidently following a clear career path. Despite her initial nonchalant attitude, Jhanvi engages in a playful romantic dalliance with Aadi. However, what seems like a casual affair for her becomes a profound and enduring commitment for him. The rest of the story is about how Aadi handles his breakup, gets back into the game, and proves a point.
Performances: Roshan Kanakala makes his debut with this film and he is impressive. He has been trained well in all departments and that shows on screen. Roshan is very good in the emotional department and also dances well. For his first time, Roshan is pretty good one can say. Maanasa Choudhary also made her debut and was quite beautiful. She does her part well and suits the youthful characters quite well. Harsha Chemudu and Anu Haasan also do their roles pretty well.
Technical Aspects: Sricharan Pakala has composed the music and it is very good. All the songs showcase an attitude and are impressive. The dialogues are the best part of the film and have been written on an impressive note, especially those written for the hero are impressive. The production values of the film are good and so was the production design. The camerawork is also neat and showcases the lifestyles of the rich and famous superbly. The screenplay is routine but the way the point is conveyed has been showcased well.
Analysis: The narrative is laced with situational humor, providing intermittent moments of levity and comic relief. The introduction of Joel adds a dramatic flair, contributing to the film’s dynamic texture. The depiction of high-society culture is handled with a reasonable degree of authenticity, capturing the subtleties of that social milieu. However, the interval scene takes an unforeseen and impactful turn, delivering a visceral blow to Aadi.
Aadi’s basthi mindset shines through convincingly in the film’s initial segments, offering a genuine glimpse into his character and background. Despite the film’s opening shot hinting at the upcoming events, the intensity of Aadi’s experience remains unpredictable, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
The rom-com scenes in the film adhere to a routine, offering a somewhat fluffy and emotionally detached experience. Janhvi’s sudden change in perspective comes across as fickle, resulting in a character transformation that feels contrived and lacking in authenticity. Her character, unfortunately, falls into the realm of clichés, following a conveniently predictable arc.
Aadi’s expressions of impotent rage feel forced and fail to carry significant weight within the larger narrative. The non-linear narrative employed in the initial segments of the second half lacks imaginative flair, missing an opportunity to bring freshness to the storytelling. Moreover, Aadi’s rise is portrayed in a manner that stretches the bounds of realism, diminishing the credibility of his journey within the storyline.
Verdict: On the whole, Bubble Gum is a coming-of-age youthful drama that has a very routine storyline. What makes it different is the impressive performance by Roshan Kanakala. As an actor he is impressive but the film he has chosen for his debut is not.
Rating: 2.5/5
