Andhra Pradesh

A clean entertainer all the way

Jagapathi Babu and Meena in a still from Kathanayakudu

Film: Kathanayakudu

Cast: Rajinikant, Jagapati Babu

Direction: P Vasu

The release of Kathanayakudu which is a remake of ‘Katha Pariyambol’, a super hit Malayalam film has been aptly timed. The film which is a rehash of the mythological story of two friends Lord Krishna and Kuchelan comes alive on the silver screen with Rajinikant and his co-star Jagapati Babu sweeping the audiences off their feet with superb performances.

Balakrishna (Jagapati Babu) and Meena live in abject poverty with their three children in a village. Despite a hand to mouth existence, the family is grounded in values and principles. Balakrishna is a barber and still uses obsolete tools to work while his neighbours move ahead in life. His life suddenly changes when his childhood friend Ashok Kumar returns to his village as a matinee idol to shoot his new film. The entire village is euphoric and struggles to get the actor’s attention. They try to persuade Balu to meet him but he doesn’t relent.

What happens next is an obvious development but one needs to see the way the director explores the raw emotions of the characters, their bond and the poignant moments. . Vasu uses a thin story line and skilfully narrates the story. Jagapati Babu is the heart of the film and he makes the audience emotionally involved with his story from the very start. It’s hard to imagine anyone else other than Rajinikant for the film star’s role. Meena comes back after a long time to the big screen and adds spark and verve to the story. Sunil is loud at times but gets a meaty role. It is a clean and an entertaining movie.

Y. Sunita Chowdhary

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