Synopsis:
Guntur Kaaram, directed by Trivikram Srinivas, follows the familiar theme of family conflicts, reminiscent of the director’s previous works like Attarintiki Daredi and Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo. The film, despite a promising start and Mahesh Babu’s refreshing performance as Ramana, struggles to balance its potential as both a festive family drama and a star vehicle.
Storyline:
The narrative kicks off with a murder, leading to royal Satyam’s imprisonment and family disownment. Ramana (Mahesh Babu) becomes a rowdy, and the plot unfolds with conflicts involving his mother Vasundhara (Ramya Krishnan) and stepfather Venkataswamy (Prakash Raj). The story stagnates as additional characters are introduced, complicating the narrative unnecessarily.
Performances:
While Mahesh Babu’s charismatic portrayal of Ramana stands out, several talented actors like Jagapathi Babu, Rahul Ravindran, Rao Ramesh, and Jayaram feel underutilized. The film features comedic exchanges, notably with Vennela Kishore, reminiscent of Sarkaru Vaari Paata. Prakash Raj leaves a significant impact, but the lack of substantial scenes between Ramana and Vasundhara diminishes the overall impact.
Issues and Insipid Love Story:
The film falters with an insipid love story between Ramana and Sreeleela’s Ammu. Sreeleela’s potential from Bhagavanth Kesari remains untapped, and Meenakshi Chowdhary’s role feels reduced to serving omelettes. Formulaic action sequences, standard hero elevations, and Thaman’s massy yet unremarkable music contribute to the film’s downfall.
Final Verdict:
Guntur Kaaram disappoints as a tired rehash of Trivikram Srinivas’s previous successes. Despite Mahesh Babu’s commendable performance, the film fails to deliver a Sankranthi treat. The narrative struggles with unnecessary characters and a lackluster love story, resulting in a massive downfall for the director known for repeat-worthy commercial films.
Verdict Quote:
“Guntur Kaaram lacks the festive spark, stumbling in its attempt to blend family drama and star power, making it a disappointing watch despite Mahesh Babu’s charisma.”
