Nagarjuna is perhaps the most unluckiest actor in Telugu. He is a very brilliant actor and does full justice to any role he portrays, but gets recognised only for his glamour. His performance, in the scenes following the conviction of Gopanna, is just great. It needs a lot of performing skill to show anguish, pain, spirituality, suffering and subtlety at a time i.e., It is a very complex character with lot of nuances and Nagarjuna, as expected, comes out with flying colors and delivers a riveting performance. His histrionics are excellent in "Dasaradhi" song. He is so adorable as Gopanna and lively as Ramadasu. The transition phase in the life of Ramadasu is one more scene in which Nagarjuna does an excellent job. Full marks(10/10) to him. No wonder, he received "Nandi Award - Best Actor" for his fantastic portrayal. This is by far, the best on screen depiction of Bhaktha Ramadasu.
Keeravani is a huge asset to this devotional saga. His songs, though some tunes are taken from already composed Ramadasu bhajans, are still great. But what actually takes the cake is his outstanding Background Score. Each and every shift in emotion has been beautifully orchestrated by Keeravani. He brought all native Indian classical instruments and used them beautifully well. His re-recording in the transition phase of Ramadasu is excellent. Sad that his work didn't get what it actually deserves from government. Again, 10/10.
Direction by Raghavendra Rao is strictly okay, but not very great. Some additional plus points like Nagarjuna's excellent acting, Keeravani's mellifluous background score & overall devotional feel, concealed his incoherent, incosistent and sometimes faulty direction. Actually, the song "Chalu Chalu.." is touted to be picturised for masses, but inturn it hampered the devotional aspect and completeness of the film. Also, the conversation between Sunil and his parents is irritating. One doesn't expect such kind of cheap things in a film which is assumed to be a complete devotional journey. But Raghavendra Rao failed in guessing audience pulse. So, only 6/10 for Raghavendra Rao. I think, he did a better work in "Annamayya".
Rest others in the cast did their part very well, though Suman (as Lord Rama) couldn't repeat the mesmerizing effect of Lord Venkateswara, in Annamayya. But still, he is good. Dialogues are good. Editing is fine. Art work deserves special appreciation, as it literally transports viewers to 17th century. Make-up is good. All these departments put together, I would give 9/10.
On total, it is 9/10. A must watch for all Telugu people. Drench yourself in Devotional feel.
Keeravani is a huge asset to this devotional saga. His songs, though some tunes are taken from already composed Ramadasu bhajans, are still great. But what actually takes the cake is his outstanding Background Score. Each and every shift in emotion has been beautifully orchestrated by Keeravani. He brought all native Indian classical instruments and used them beautifully well. His re-recording in the transition phase of Ramadasu is excellent. Sad that his work didn't get what it actually deserves from government. Again, 10/10.
Direction by Raghavendra Rao is strictly okay, but not very great. Some additional plus points like Nagarjuna's excellent acting, Keeravani's mellifluous background score & overall devotional feel, concealed his incoherent, incosistent and sometimes faulty direction. Actually, the song "Chalu Chalu.." is touted to be picturised for masses, but inturn it hampered the devotional aspect and completeness of the film. Also, the conversation between Sunil and his parents is irritating. One doesn't expect such kind of cheap things in a film which is assumed to be a complete devotional journey. But Raghavendra Rao failed in guessing audience pulse. So, only 6/10 for Raghavendra Rao. I think, he did a better work in "Annamayya".
Rest others in the cast did their part very well, though Suman (as Lord Rama) couldn't repeat the mesmerizing effect of Lord Venkateswara, in Annamayya. But still, he is good. Dialogues are good. Editing is fine. Art work deserves special appreciation, as it literally transports viewers to 17th century. Make-up is good. All these departments put together, I would give 9/10.
On total, it is 9/10. A must watch for all Telugu people. Drench yourself in Devotional feel.