Suhas, gaining acclaim as an actor and emerging as a reliable lead, stars in “Prasanna Vadanam,” directed by Arjun, a former assistant of Sukumar making his directorial debut. The film’s teaser and trailer, utilizing face blinding as a concept, have left a positive impression on audiences. Now, anticipation builds as viewers await the full impact of this intriguing film.
Prasanna Vadanam Story: Surya (Suhas) loses the ability to recognize faces, including those of his parents, after an accident. This condition makes it difficult for him to remember people. One rainy evening, he witnesses Amrita (Saishweta) being pushed under a lorry and killed, but due to his face blindness, he cannot recall the assailant’s identity. The next day, upon seeing news of the incident reported as an accident, Surya decides to inform the police of what he witnessed. This decision marks the beginning of Surya’s troubles.
“Prasanna Vadanam” unravels the mystery behind Amrita’s identity, her murderer, and the motive. Surya’s quest to solve this puzzle leads him through hardship and challenges, testing his limits. The film explores how Surya navigates through his face blindness to uncover the truth and seek justice.
Performances: Suhas broke away from monotonous gestures in “Prasanna Vadanam,” showing potential for growth with nuanced acting. Despite challenges in pivotal scenes, his journey as a dependable hero is promising. Rashi Singh’s compelling performance often outshines Suhas, showcasing versatility with finesse. Supporting actors Viva Harsha, Payal Radhakrishna, and Nitin Prasanna excel, adding depth and authenticity to the film’s narrative, enhancing its overall impact.
Technical Aspects: Vijay Bulganin‘s background music is the film’s standout feature, particularly in elevating intense scenes like the interval twist and second half. Chandrasekaran’s cinematography is decent, but continuity issues arise in production design, such as sudden changes in characters’ hair color and style. Director Arjun impresses with a straightforward storytelling approach, notably in crafting thrilling sequences like the psycho killer’s fight. However, romantic elements added to the intriguing plot fall short, especially in the second half. Arjun’s debut as director and writer shows promise, despite similarities to other films like “Ishq” and “Ghajini.” His adaptation of key scenes is commendable, reflecting his potential in filmmaking.
Analysis: “Prasanna Vadanam” is a rare concept movie in Telugu, offering strong content in its category. With a compelling story, engaging concept, intriguing plot, thrilling twists, and impressive performances, the film promises to be a hit. Given proper promotion, this straight Telugu movie is poised to draw a full house of engaged audiences to theaters.
Verdict: “Prasanna Vadanam” offers thrilling incidents and showcases Suhas’s breakthrough in nuanced acting. Rashi Singh delivers a compelling performance, supported by Viva Harsha, Payal Radhakrishna, and Nitin Prasanna. Vijay Bulganin’s music enhances intense scenes, though Chandrasekaran’s cinematography is average and production design lacks continuity. Director Arjun’s straightforward storytelling makes it a prudent weekend watch despite romantic elements falling short.
Bottom Line: A delightfully thrilling experience.
Rating: 3/5
