Date:27/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/27/stories/2008012757320200.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Thin plot, appealing narrative Film Review

Corporate feel: Raja and Genelia in Mr. Medhavi

Film: Mr. Medhavi

Cast: Raja, Genelia

Direction: Neelakanta

No person in this world is bereft of frailties and foibles. Vishvaksen’s (Raja) only flaw is being calculative and he’s made it a way of life to survive and become a winner. An orphan, he is brought up by a selfless schoolmaster (Tanikella Bharani) who finds the spark in him, gives him a name and imparts knowledge to become humane. Swetha (Genelia) befriends him and they part one day only to realise they are in love.

Destiny brings them together and it’s a wonderful chance for Vishvaksen to propose, but Swetha has other intentions. It’s confusion, disappointment and life becomes one roller-coaster ride for the protagonist.

Attitude problem

Although the plot of the film is thin, it is fascinating to see how the director presents the attitude problem of the hero, how it emerges through a nice mix of casting, simple dialogue and near-flawless acting.

Raja shows his range of emotions as an over confident man and a best friend who trusts his judgement, his street-smart moves but clearly does not understand the full complexity of the task that lies before him but is trying to do everything not to let anyone else find this out. He is not an evil man but has just no sense of morality – he can tell right from wrong but thinks it’s not worth the bother.

Character analysis

Genelia is bubbly, gets into the skin of her character, never once giving the suspense away. The film drags in some parts and a couple of tunes are interesting.

There are far too many musical digressions but Neelakanta, while presenting the story pulls the viewers into a character study, analysing the human weakness and keeps them engrossed till the end. The scene where Raja gets whiplashed as an act of retribution is impressive.

Dharmavarapu Subramanyam and M.S. Narayana’s comedy is mild and Sonu Sood makes a sober appearance.

The tacked-on and cheesy script might not appease the masses; some might find it disquieting and dislocating but Mr. Medhavi is like a breath of fresh air, it definitely shares a distilled wisdom with the young

Y. SUNITA CHOWDHARY