“Guntur Kaaram Review: Mahesh Babu Dazzles with Dance and Mass Action!”

Cast: Mahesh Babu, Sreeleela, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Jagapathi Babu, Ramya Krishnan, Prakash Raj, Jayaram, Rao Ramesh, Easwari Rao, Murali Sharma, Sunil, and others

Director: Trivikram

Music: Thaman

Cinematography: Manoj Paramahamsa

Editing: Naveen Nooli

Producer: S. Radhakrishna

Production Company: Haarika & Hassine Creations

Release Date: January 12, 2024

Mahesh Babu stars in the action drama ‘Guntur Kaaram,’ directed by Trivikram. Sreeleela and Meenakshi Chaudhary play the female leads, with a key role by Ramya Krishnan. With its teaser, trailer, and songs already heightening expectations, this Trivikram-Mahesh combo, their third collaboration, has garnered significant attention. The film released on January 12 as a Sankranti treat. But how does ‘Guntur Kaaram’ fare? Has Mahesh’s mass avatar won hearts? Has Sreeleela captivated with her beauty? Let’s find out.

Story

The story unfolds with Vaira Surya Narayana’s (Prakash Raj) daughter, Vasundhara (Ramya Krishnan), winning the MLA seat for the third time, aiming to become a minister. MLA Kata Madhu (Ravishankar) threatens to reveal Vasundhara’s second marriage and her son Ramana (Mahesh Babu) if she doesn’t get the ministerial post. Surya Narayana tries to get Ramana to deny any relation with Vasundhara on legal papers, but Ramana refuses. Despite his father Royal Satyam’s (Jayaram) advice, Ramana stays in Guntur, running a chili yard. What led Vasundhara to divorce her first husband? Why is she indifferent towards Ramana? What’s the love track of Ramana and Ammu (Sreeleela)? And what role does sister-in-law Raji (Meenakshi Chaudhary) play? This forms the crux of the story.

Performances

Mahesh Babu’s role is undoubtedly the highlight of the film. He excels in dance and emotional scenes, showcasing his unique style. Sreeleela shines in dance numbers, especially alongside Mahesh in a mass song. Meenakshi Chaudhary’s role is limited. Ramya Krishnan delivers a dignified performance. Prakash Raj and Vennela Kishore offer nothing new. Other actors like Jagapathi Babu, Rao Ramesh, Murali Sharma, and Sunil don’t make a significant impact.

Direction

Trivikram is known for infusing strong emotions and sharp dialogues in his films, but ‘Guntur Kaaram’ misses that magic. The plot revolves around a son estranged from his mother for 25 years, yet the bond feels weak. Trivikram seems to fill the film with filler scenes, lacking depth in characters and scenarios, not typical of his caliber. While the film has high energy and some emotional moments, its magic is diluted by weak storytelling and a lack of Trivikram’s signature touch.

Technically

Thaman’s music is impressive, but some songs interrupt the narrative flow. The background score is remarkable. Manoj Paramahamsa’s cinematography is captivating, and Naveen Nooli’s editing is adequate. The production values are high.

Plus Points

• Mahesh Babu’s performance
• Sreeleela’s dance numbers
• The music

Minus Points

• Weak story and screenplay
• Lack of strong emotions
• Absence of Trivikram’s trademark style

Rating: 3/5