What’s it about?
Srikanth (Naveen Polishetty), who runs a ladies emporium in Jogipet, decides to leave for Hyderabad and get a better life. His two childhood buddies Ravi and Sekhar also accompany him. After some comic situations, they get shelter in a vacant flat in a luxury apartment complex temporarily. Srikanth finds love in the same complex. She is Chitti (Faria). But soon, the trio land in a case and are sent to jail on the charges of a murder attempt on politician Chanakya (Murali Sharma), leading to several comic complications.
Analysis
Jathi Ratnalu, the second film by the director of Anudeep of ‘Pittagoda’ fame, follows three friends and their travails. The three friends – Naveen Polishetty, Rahul Ramakrishna, and Priyadarshi – hailing from a small town, with their innocuous attitudes generate a lot of unintended humor.
It is not about the story, or the situations or rhyme or reasoning. ‘Jathi Rathnalu’ stamps its intention at the very first scene: generate comedy by hook or crook. It does in an ample manner. The witty one-liners make this film work.
From the start, it runs crazily with over-the-top situations. I enjoyed the comedy. But as the film progresses, its faults have started appearing in a magnifying manner. At times, it turns too silly to digest the proceedings even for a comedy. The graph in the second half also goes down. The court proceedings are more outrageous than some of the sequences in EVV’s movies.
But these kinds of movies depend less on the plot, more on the actors’ comic timing and their abilities. It doesn’t disappoint on this front. Naveen Polishetty has terrific timing and the other two Rahul and Priyadarshi are proven actors in the comedy department. Even when nothing is happening in the film, they have made us glued to the proceedings with their performances and comic timing.
Issues and logic aside, several funny moments evoke good laughs. They make you laugh out loud. Some jokes provide so much fun.
As said above, Naveen Polishetty is not a one-film wonder. Like in his previous film, ‘Agent Srinivasa Athreya’, Naveen shoulders the film and charms us with his witty remarks and expressions. He delivers a fine performance as Srikanth.
Rahul Ramakrishna and Priyadarshi have also chipped in with their deadpan humorous act. Vennela Kishore in a brief role leaves his mark. Senior comedian Brahmanandam appears as a judge in the second half and it is good to see him in a notable role after a long time. Newcomer Faria Abdullah has a good screen presence.
Coming to the technicians, music is a plus. Radhan’s music is gelled for this film. The cinematography is appropriate.
The dialogue writing needs to be appreciated, the smart repartees have elevated impact considerably.
Bottom-line: ‘Jathi Ratnalu’ is a crowd-pleasing film with an ample dose of entertainment. Like EVV Satyanarayana and David Dhawan’s old movies, this is a madcap comedy. No rhyme and reasoning, no logic either. Only jokes matter. If you want comedy movies that defy logic, and intellect, here comes Jathi Ratnalu for you.
By: Jalapathy Gudelli
Rating: 2.75 /5
Film: Jathi Ratnalu
Cast: Naveen Polishetty, Priyadarshi, Rahul Ramakrishna, Faria Abdullah
Music: Radhan
Cinematography: Siddam Manohar
Editor: Abhinav Danda
Producer: Nag Ashwin
Written and directed by: Nag Ashwin
Release Date: March 11, 2021
