Premam – Movie Review

What’s it about!

Vikram aka Vicky (Naga Chaitanya), a teenager, falls for local beauty Suma (Anupama Parameshwaran) that turns into heartbreak as she is already in love with another boy. While studying in an Engineering College in year 2005, his heart beats again for a girl. This time for the lecturer Sitara (Shruti Haasan)! The young lecturer also returns her heart to him. One day, she leaves for her hometown and an unfortunate incident ends his love story. Devastated by this, he loses all hope on life and love. At present stage (2015), he is now a successful businessman and again he loses his heart for another girl Sindhu (Madonna).

Has he at last found love that lasts forever?

Analysis:

‘Premam’ is remake of the Malayalam blockbuster by the same name that was released in 2015. The Malayalam movie became a rage among youth across south India that was watched by many non-Malayali folks too. Still there are many people who haven’t watched the movie like this reviewer. So, I am judging the film without comparing it with the original flick.

Like Raj Kapoor’s classic ‘Mera Naam Joker’ and S Gopal Reddy’s ‘Naa Autograph’ (which is remake of Cheran’s Tamil movie), this film too deals with a protagonist’s life who loves three different women at different (st)ages of his life. It is a coming of age story with touch of melancholy.

The movie begins with the voice over of Nagarjuna who has also played a cameo in the movie. He reveals about Vikram’s various loves stories beginning with his first crush in year 2000. The first episode of Naga Chaitanya and Anupama Parameshwaran is so fresh and entertaining. It would have been even good if the story was extended further. 

The next story shot between Naga Chaitanya and Shruti Haasan is also interesting. This story has enough comedy too. The Narra Srinu comedy track is too funny. Two thirds of the movie occupy these two stories but the film completely turns into commercial format with the last story that doesn’t work out.

The story and screenplay is filled with some beautiful romantic moments. Told with nice comedy and touching moment, it pulls our heart strings with the melancholy situations.

Scenes that stand out

1. The Anupama Parameshwaran coming to Naga Chaitanya’s home and asking his room for one purpose

2. Shruti Haasan and Naga Chaitanya’s episode

3. The heart-breaking scene of Chaitanya meeting Shruti after the unfortunate incident

Naga Chaitanya is seen in three stages of life – a teenage boy, a young guy in twenties and a grownup man. He ought to portray the transformation of boy turning into a man which he has pulled off convincingly. Shruti Haasan, who was trolled online when the ‘Yevare’ song is released, is actually good in the role of a beautiful lecturer. Of the three beautiful women, Shruti stands out with her performance. Anupama Parameshwaran who recently acted as Nagavalli in Trivikram’s ‘A Aa’ is perfect in the role of a teenage beauty. She has bewitching beauty. Madonna as 22-year-old hip youngster is okay but her episodes lack dhum. Among other cast members, Narra Srinu as college lecturer who tries to impress Shruti and Brahmaji shine. Venkatesh is also seen in a cameo appearance.

The one aspect of Malayalam movie ‘Premam’ that made the movie popular was its music. In this Telugu version, the main songs of the original movie are retained. Of course like the Malayalam movie, “Yevare” song turns out to be major asset that stays on. But it doesn’t feature catchy numbers other than that. Karthik Ghattamaneni’s cinematography is perfect. 

Editing is neat. The producers have left no stone unturned to make visually rich. Director Chandoo seems to have remained faithful to the original story but he has also included some changes like – by putting all girls’ names starting with ‘S’ implying Naga Chaitanya’s real life love Samantha. He has shown his command in comedy. But the director has gone for overt commercialization in the later part of the movie.

Bottom-line: ‘Premam’ is a coming-of-age romantic drama with some beautiful moments especially in the first half. Since we are not comparing it with the original, as standalone movie, the Telugu version is also engaging and entertaining.