Aadavallu Meeku Johaarlu Review: Middling family drama

What’s it about?

36-year-old Chiranjeevi (Sharwanand) is frustrated as girls are rejecting his alliance. His mother and aunts initially had rejected many matches with one pretext or the other, and he is facing the music now. He meets Aadya (Rashmika). Soon they develop a liking for each other. When he proposes to her to get married, she reveals that her mother Vakula (Kushbu) may not agree to their marriage. 

Analysis

Set in Rajamundry, ‘Aadavallu Meeku Johaarlu’ is a family drama. The protagonist is the only male child in a big joint family that is dominated by women – mothers, aunts, sisters, and nieces. All of them (five couple and their children) live under the same roof. Even aunts treat him as their son and dote on him. What would happen if such a youngster falls in love with a girl, whose mother doesn’t trust men and is against the idea of marriage? On paper, the idea sounds interesting. But the story is thin as coconut leaf; there is nothing beyond this idea.

The film begins in a regular way but on a funny note. With sequences that run in a lighter vein, the romantic track between the lead pair, two catchy songs, and a couple of comedy scenes, the first act and the middle portion run smoothly. But the conflict keeps changing as the film progresses, exposing the inherent limitations of its thin plot.

Director Kishore Tirumala, who directed films like ‘Nenu Sailaja’ and ‘Chitralahari’, is known for creating interesting women characters. ‘Aadavallu Meeku Johaarlu’, as the title (Salute to Women) says, is densely populated with women, but his writing is weak and formulaic here. Even if you have not seen many Telugu family films, you could easily guess why Khushbu doesn’t trust men. Not just Khusbhu’s character, the film is galore of predictable moments. 

The screenplay template of ‘Nenu Sailaja’ can also be seen.

However, Kishore has shown his mark in writing dialogue for actors like Urvashi and Radhika. He puts women’s perspective well. But the rest is off-key.

The biggest problem with the film is not a predictable plot, but adding overt sentiment scenes and dragging the film on and on. 

Kishore Tirumala’s attempts to provide comedy have worked at some places. The best joke I found in the film is Urvashi asking Rashmika not to forget to return her Dabba (Tiffin box).

It’s a film that completely rests on the lead hero’s shoulders to the most part, and Sharwanand carries it effectively. Sharwanand looks cheerful in comedy and romantic portions. 

Rashmika has less dialogue and little to do. She, however, looks fab in designer outfits. The film has many women, but the three senior actresses – Radhika, Urvashi, and Khushbu, dominate the show. They own their roles, give mature performances. 

Among the technicians, Devi Sri Prasad’s work stands out. Production values are rich.  

Bottom-line: ‘Aadavallu Meeku Johaarlu’ offers feel-good moments initially, but it gets predictable after a point by over-relying on sentiment sequences. It is targeted at women and family audiences.

Rating: 2.5/5

By: Jalapathy Gudelli

Film: Aadavallu Meeku Johaarlu 
Cast: Sharwanand, Rashmika Mandanna, Khushbu, Radhika, Urvashi
Music: Devi Sri Prasad 
DoP: Sujith Sarang 
Editor: Sreekar Prasad 
Producer: Sudhakar Cherukuri
Written and directed by: Kishore Tirumala
Release Date: March 04, 2022