What’s it about?
The kidnapping of Satya Akella, CEO of a multinational corporation, has put the government into a frenzy, and Chief Minister Keshav is concerned that if news of the CEO’s captivity spreads, the government would fall. To handle this situation, the CM requests that the top police officers nominate a cop who can bring Satya back without creating a scene.
Enter Raju (Venkatesh), an ex-cop and family man who lives a happy life with his wife, Bhagyam (Aishwarya Rajesh), somewhere near Rajamundry. His calm existence is shattered when Raju’s ex-girlfriend, Meenakshi (Meenakshi Chaudhary), approaches him at the request of Telangana Chief Minister for assistance in solving the kidnapping case.
Raju agrees to take on the assignment, but his wife Bhagya insists on joining the operation so that he does not fall in love with Meenakshi again. How can Raju tackle the mission with his ‘ex-girlfriend’ and ‘excellent but jealous’ wife at his side?
Analysis
Films such as “F2” exemplify the distinctive approach that director Anil Ravipudi has developed to family-oriented comedies. His new film, “Sankranthiki Vasthunam,” is in the same genre, but even though it provides audiences plenty of laughs and keeps them engaged in theaters, it also demonstrates that Ravipudi is merely repeating clichés and focusing more on farcical comedy.
As the title suggests, this film’s intentions are clear: make audiences laugh, not worry about logic and a coherent plot. Director Anil Ravipudi and the film don’t regard the story seriously, and the ‘thin plot’ merely serves as a tool to provide laughs. Therefore, the kidnap drama (the crime angle) injects some action into this family comedy. Ravipudi has essentially reinterpreted Venkatesh’s successful formula of triangular dramas involving Illalu, the wife, and Priyuralu, the girlfriend.
Like EVV Satyanarayana, Anil Ravipudi is proficient at telling formulaic plots in an entertaining manner. He has succeeded here as well, especially in the first half of the film. The first half of the film not only provides many humorous moments but also is racy. The thin storyline is limited in its ability to extend for two and a half hours, and Anil Ravipudi, as expected, is unable to retain interest in the later part, involving numerous unneeded episodes and elongating it beyond what is required.
The raciness of the screenplay, the humorous touch of the whole situation, the episode of a kid talking expletives as a result of overconsumption of OTT content, the sequences with Aishwarya Rajesh and Venkatesh, and Meenakshi complicating the scene with her arrival all worked effectively in the first half. There aren’t many humorous scenes in the latter part.
The entire stretch of Papa Panday’s wheelchair episode, with Upendra Limaye’s jailer character chasing them, becomes absurd after a while. Ravipudi should have reduced this portion to make it crisper. The so-called attempt to add emotional heft to the plot by including an episode about Venkatesh’s mentor, a schoolteacher played by Sarvadhaman Benjarjee, also fails.
The role of Raju is in the very zone of Venkatesh, and he delivers an enjoyable performance, balancing comedy and family dynamics. Aishwarya Rajesh shines in her role as a wife, while Meenakshi Chaudhary portrays the role of Venkatesh’s ex-girlfriend and a cop effectively. Among other actors, the kid who played Venkatesh’s son, which apparently is a new take on Jandhyala’s old film where a kid uses too many “boothulu,” provides laughs. VTV Ganesh also offers enjoyable moments.
Bheems Ceciroleo’s musical soundtrack is a major asset to the film. The songs, Godari Gattu and Blockbuster Song, have done well. Sameer Reddy provided neat camerawork for a family comedy. The writing and editing (in the second part) falter. Anil Ravipudi’s work as a writer and filmmaker is mixed bag.
Bottom line: “Sankranthiki Vasthunam” is intended for this festival watch. Despite its uneven second half, the film offers enough enjoyable moments to keep you entertained. The film manages to provide laughs with Venkatesh in his element, aided by Bheem’s songs. Don’t expect much; watch it for its comic portions.
Rating: 3/5
By Jalapathy Gudelli
Movie: Sankranthiki Vasthunam
Cast: Venkatesh Daggubati, Aishwarya Rajesh, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Upendra Limaye, Muralidhar Goud, VT Ganesh, Prithviraj, Srinivas Avasarala, and others
Music: Bheems Ceciroleo
DOP: Sameer Reddy
Production Designer: AS Prakash
Editor: Tammiraju
Writers: S Krishna, G Adhinarayana
Action: Real Sathish
Presenter: Dil Raju
Producer: Shirish
Written and directed by: Anil Ravipudi
Release Date: Jan 14, 2025
